Defensible Space Program

The El Dorado County Fire Safe Council (EDCFSC) has received funding to provide free defensible space clearing to individual homeowners of veterans, seniors, low-income and disabled residents on the Western Slope of El Dorado County who are willing to improve the safety of their property and community. Applicants must be financially and physically unable to develop defensible space around their primary home. Participating in defensible space services around the home will improve the chances of each resident surviving a wildfire. Removing excess vegetation could improve fire suppression efforts and provide a safe area for firefighters to defend the home and/or respond to emergency calls on the property.

Create Defensible Space: Services will help meet the requirements of the El Dorado County’s Ordinance No. 5186 by focusing on the first 100ft surrounding your home.
Good Neighbor Policy: It is not to be used for clearing acreage or vacant parcels except when used to comply with the El Dorado County Vegetation Management Ordinance Good Neighbor Policy. Services may extend onto your neighbor’s property within 100 feet of your home. Please inform your Evaluator and your Neighbor.
One (1) Free Service Per Year: Renewing every January 1st. Services are available for primary residences only.
Financial Limitations: Services are not charged by the hour but have a financial limit that has been equally disbursed per parcel based upon grant funding.
Service Notices: Address any notices received from the County, CAL FIRE or your HOA during your evaluation.
Legal Requirements: Clearance provided by the EDCFSC may not meet the requirements of the State of California’s Public Resources Code 4291 and El Dorado County Ordinance No. 5186. It is still the resident’s or property owners’ responsibility to comply with fuel reduction requirements.

If you are not the homeowner, please have your landlord fill out the Owner Consent Form below and email it to our Program Coordinator at grantadmin@edcfiresafe.org along with your application number.

A person wearing a backpack blower is clearing leaves along a dirt path, with a green truck parked nearby under a blue sky.

Please read both sections below before continuing to the application:

Terms, Conditions & Requirements

Safety: Residents/children/pets shall be kept clear of all equipment and crews.
Evaluator vs. Clearing Contractor: They are different companies. You must be home to sign the Evaluation Form. Being home for the Clearing is optional.
Clearing: The Contractor will rake pine needles/leaves, weed eat, remove brush and limb ladder fuel from trees around the home.
Incomplete Tasks: Not all tasks identified on the Evaluation may be completed.
Haul-Away Services: We cannot haul away vegetation or green waste bags.
No Services: We do not service vacant lots, roofs, gutters or porch work.
No Blackberry or Palm Tree Removal.
Tree Size Limitations: We cannot remove trees larger than 7 inches in diameter.
Right of Entry/Scheduling: By signing the application, you have agreed to allow the Contractor to access your property when they’re available. The Contractor will inform you of their availability to service your property. You do not have to be home for services to be rendered.
Cancellations: If the Contractor cannot get ahold of you, cannot find the piles, or cannot access the piles you’ve prepared, your ticket will be canceled.
Chipping Piles: Must apply for Chipping Program after Clearing is completed.
Hazardous Tree Removal Services: Bark beetle killed trees and/or other trees that are recommended for removal are the owner’s responsibility and may be eligible for removal through our Hazardous Tree Removal Program. You can access more information here: https://www.edcfiresafe.org/hazardous-tree-removal-program
We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone. Mutual respect between residents and all associates contracted with the EDCFSC is essential. Please file all complaints with our Program Coordinator at grantadmin@edcfiresafe.org

Eligibility Requirements

Veteran

A copy of DD214, Proof of Veteran ID must be shown during the On-site Defensible Space Evaluation.

Senior

Proof of Age over 60 must be shown during the On-site Defensible Space Evaluation.

Low-Income

Eligibility is determined by the El Dorado County Area Median Income Chart for Low-Income and below categories (produced annually by the CA Department of Housing and Community Development).

Disabled

Protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act

TAHOE BASIN Residents: For assistance programs in the Tahoe Basin please contact your local fire department, Tahoe RCD 530-543-1501 or Tahoe Fuels and Fire Team at www.tahoelivingwithfire.com for a list of services.