HOW TO PREPARE YOUR MOUNTAIN VACATION HOME FOR WILDFIRE SEASON
As locals who live and work in the mountains, we know firsthand that summer in Truckee means two things: sunshine and fire risk. The alpine environment we love offers unmatched natural beauty, but with that comes the annual threat of wildfires.
If you own a second home in this region, it’s essential to understand how to protect your property before wildfire season begins. Preparing now can reduce risk, protect your investment, and bring peace of mind all summer long.
At Second Home Care, we’ve been maintaining mountain homes for over 25 years. We understand the unique challenges of alpine properties, and wildfire readiness is at the top of our checklist every year.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to prepare your vacation home for wildfire season—and how our team helps make it easy.
Why Wildfire Preparation Matters for Second Homes
Second homes can be more vulnerable to fire damage than primary residences. Why? Because they’re vacant for long stretches of time, and when something goes wrong, there may not be anyone there to respond.
Wildfire risk isn’t just about a fire directly reaching your home. Embers can travel miles ahead of a fire, igniting dry vegetation, outdoor furniture, roofs, or debris near your property.
That’s why creating defensible space and performing seasonal maintenance isn’t just a “nice to have”—it’s a critical part of protecting your home and staying compliant with local fire codes.
What Is Defensible Space?
Defensible space is the buffer zone around your home that’s cleared of flammable vegetation and materials. This space slows the spread of wildfire, protects firefighters defending your property, and can be the difference between minor damage and a total loss.
In California and Nevada, defensible space is required by law for properties in fire-prone areas, including Truckee and North Tahoe.
There are three zones you need to be aware of:
Zone 0: Ember-Resistant Zone (0–10 feet)
Remove all flammable materials, including mulch, pine needles, wood piles, dead plants, and furniture cushions.
Use non-combustible materials for landscaping, such as gravel or pavers.
Ensure gutters are cleared of dry leaves and pine needles.
Zone 1: Lean, Clean & Green Zone (10–30 feet)
Trim tree branches at least 10 feet from structures.
Trim tree branches to a minimum of 6 feet from the ground.
Maintain healthy, well-watered vegetation.
Remove dead or dying shrubs, dry grasses, and debris.
Zone 2: Reduced Fuel Zone (30–100 feet)
Create space between trees and shrubs to prevent fire laddering.
Mow grass / vegetation to a height of four inches or less.
Reduce “duff”-fallen leaves, needles, twigs, bark, cones, and small branches to a maximum depth of 3 inches.
All exposed wood piles must have a minimum of 10 feet of clearance, down to bare mineral soil, in all directions.
We can maintain these zones according to local defensible space regulations, helping you meet requirements and minimize fire exposure.
5 Wildfire Season Prep Tasks Every Vacation Homeowner Should Complete
If you’re not in the area full-time, it’s easy for small fire risks to go unnoticed. But these routine tasks are critical for protecting your home.
1. Clear Roofs and Gutters
Dry pine needles and leaves are prime fuel for embers. We ensure all roofs and gutters are thoroughly cleared before fire season begins.
2. Trim Back Trees and Vegetation
Overgrown vegetation, especially near decks, eaves, and windows, needs to be trimmed back. We cut back low branches, remove ladder fuels, and maintain separation between shrubs and structures.
3. Remove Flammable Debris from Around the Home
Wood furniture, planter boxes, doormats, firewood piles—these all become hazards if left unattended. We check for and relocate or replace combustible items near the home.
4. Check Vents and Screens
Hot embers can enter your home through unscreened vents. We can install 1/8-inch metal mesh to attic, crawl space, and eave vents to ensure they’re properly screened.
5. Schedule a Professional Defensible Space Evaluation
Our defensible space assessments are tailored to your property. We coordinate services to bring your property into compliance.
How Second Home Care Supports Fire Season Readiness
As a Second Home Care client, you don’t need to worry about wildfire prep—we handle the details for you.
Here’s how we help.
Proactive Inspections
Our home watch inspections look for overgrown vegetation, debris buildup, and any fire hazards around your property—and send you photos and updates in real time.
Coordination of Fire-Readiness Services
From hiring certified arborists to organizing pine needle removal and debris hauling, we manage the entire process. You don’t have to chase down multiple vendors or coordinate timelines from afar.
Compliance with Local Regulations
Different counties and HOAs have specific defensible space rules. We stay up to date on the latest requirements so your property meets local codes—and avoids costly fines.
Whether you live five hours or five thousand miles away, our team gives you the peace of mind of having a local, experienced crew on the ground.
Bonus: How Wildfire Readiness Impacts Insurance and Value
Did you know that many insurance companies require documented wildfire mitigation before renewing or issuing policies in fire-prone areas?
Being proactive about defensible space can:
Lower your insurance premiums
Protect your eligibility for coverage
Increase property value and buyer confidence
Avoid delays or denials in claims after a fire event
Our reports and photo documentation give you what you need to stay compliant and protect your investment.
Don’t Wait Until Fire Season Starts
Wildfire season is unpredictable, but preparation doesn’t have to be. The sooner you schedule your fire readiness services, the safer your home will be when temperatures rise.
If you're a Second Home Care client, we’ll reach out to schedule your spring inspection and defensible space check. If you’re new to us, we’re happy to evaluate your property and recommend a plan tailored to your home, lot size, and location.
Let’s Keep Your Vacation Home Safe—Together
At Second Home Care, we believe second homeownership should be about relaxation, not risk.
Our team is here to take care of every last detail—from fire season prep to weekly inspections—so you don’t have to.
Contact Second Home Care today to schedule your fire season preparation and learn more about our year-round home management services.