March 9, 2026
<<Endorsement Line>>
<<Owner Name>>
<<Owner Address>>
<<Owner City>>, <<Owner State>> <<Owner ZIP Code>>
FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF
RE: <<Property Address>> / APN: <<APN>>
Dear Property Owner,
Each year, the Santa Clara County Fire Department partners with your city or town to conduct Wildland Fire Safety Inspections. Wildfires continue to pose a serious threat in California, particularly in the Wildland Urban Interface. Your property is located in a designated Fire Hazard Severity Zone . Self-inspections are a key component in achieving fire resilience for residents and the community. This letter outlines important safety recommendations for your property and highlights resources available to help you prepare, prioritize, and take action.
Defensible space is the necessary buffer created around a structure when combustible vegetation is removed or reduced. The safety recommendations for your property include:
Priority Safety Recommendations (Items A - H)
A. Create 100 feet of defensible space around your home up to the property line. To accomplish this, fuels shall be maintained and spaced in a condition so that a wildfire would be unlikely to ignite a structure (GC § 51182(a)(1)).
B. Maintain the roof of a structure free of leaves, needles, or other vegetative materials (GC § 51182(a)(4)) .
C. Trim tree limbs 10 feet from chimneys and stove pipes (GC § 51182(a)(2) ).
D. Maintain a tree, shrub, or other plant adjacent to or overhanging a building free of dead or dying wood (GC § 51182(a)(3)).
E. Remove vegetation a minimum of 10 feet around liquefied petroleum gas tanks . Vegetation between 10 feet and 20 feet shall be fire-smart vegetation (CWUIC § 606.3).
F. Store woodpiles a minimum of 30 feet from structures and clear all vegetation within 10 feet of woodpiles (CWUIC § 607.1).
G. Cover chimney outlets or flues with a 1/2” mesh spark arrester (CWUIC § 605.1).
H. Post a clearly visible house address, using at least 4” high numbers, for easy identification (CFC § 505.1). For homes located more than 50 feet from the street, post address numbers at the driveway entrance.
Additional Safety Recommendations
• Create and maintain a 5-foot ember-resistant zone around any structure by removing vegetation that would likely be ignited by embers.
• Trees 18 feet or taller should be limbed up 6 feet from the ground. Provide additional vertical clearance when trees have vegetation beneath them.
• Clear vegetation and other combustible material from underneath decks. Enclose elevated decks with fire-resistive materials.
• Areas within 10 feet on each side of portions of fire apparatus access roads and driveways to be clear of vegetation growth that is not fire-smart.
See QR Code below for resources to help you prepare for wildfire, including upcoming workshops.
Sincerely,
Hector R. Estrada, Assistant Chief
Fire Prevention Division
If you would like to request a Home Ignition Zone
assessment, appointments will be available April 1st
through April 15th. To schedule a Home Ignition Zone
assessment provided by SCCFD or for more
information, please contact the Fire Prevention
Division at [email protected] or call
408.341.4420.
Wildfire Preparedness Workshops, Chipping
Programs, and Resources Specific to your City,
Town, or Fire District