Short answer
Most homes that burn in wildfires are set on fire by embers, not by the wall of flame. Embers land against the house and ignite whatever is there: bark mulch, dry needles, a woodpile, a wooden fence or a doormat. Clearing everything that can burn from the first 5 feet around your home, and from under your deck, is the cheapest, highest-impact step you can take. For most homes it’s a weekend of work.
Last reviewed October 30, 2026 by McKenzie Community Partnership. Based on IBHS research and Oregon State Fire Marshal guidance; applies to homes across the Cascades and the rural West.
Why the first 5 feet matters most
Research by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) found that embers cause up to 90 percent of home ignitions in wildfires. Embers can fly a mile or more ahead of a fire and pile up in the same places leaves do: against walls, in corners, under decks and in gutters. If nothing there can burn, an ember storm usually passes without lighting the house.
That’s why both IBHS and the Oregon State Fire Marshal start with this zone (often called the “immediate zone” or “Zone 0”), and why insurers look at it first.
The checklist
- Swap bark mulch and wood chips for rock. Use gravel, river rock, pavers, concrete or bare soil in a 5-foot band all the way around the house.
- Move plants out of the band. Shrubs, junipers, ornamental grasses and potted plants go 5 feet or more from the walls.
- Clear needles, leaves and debris from the ground, the roof, the gutters and the corners where they collect.
- Move the woodpile. Firewood and lumber belong at least 30 feet from the house, not against it or under the deck.
- Empty the space under the deck. No stored lumber, tarps, cushions or gas cans. If the deck is low to the ground, enclose the sides with 1/8-inch metal mesh.
- Fix the fence connection. Replace the last 5 feet of any wood or vinyl fence that touches the house with metal, or add a metal gate.
- Trim branches that hang over the roof or reach into the 5-foot zone.
- Check the base of the walls. Keep at least 6 inches of noncombustible material (concrete foundation, metal flashing or fiber-cement) between the ground and wood siding.
- Put away the small stuff during fire season: doormats, cushions, brooms, trash and recycling bins. Choose metal or other noncombustible outdoor furniture.
- Screen the vents along the foundation and eaves with 1/8-inch corrosion-resistant metal mesh. Leave the dryer vent’s flap working and unscreened.
What it costs
| Task | Do it yourself? | Typical cost* | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clear debris, move woodpile, empty under-deck space | Yes | Free | High |
| Replace mulch with gravel or pavers | Yes | $ to $$ | High |
| Move or remove plants near the walls | Yes | Free to $ | High |
| Screen foundation and eave vents | Often | $ | High |
| Replace last 5 feet of fence with metal | Often | $ to $$ | Medium to high |
| Enclose a low deck with metal mesh | Sometimes | $$ | Medium to high |
| Add flashing at the base of siding | Contractor | $$ to $$$ | Medium |
*Rough MCP estimates; prices vary. $ = under $200, $$ = $200 to $1,000, $$$ = over $1,000.
In the Pacific Northwest: timing and upkeep
Our wet winters and conifer forests mean needles and moss pile up fast on roofs, in gutters and along walls. Do a full cleanup in late spring before fire season, and again after the fall needle drop. Gravel beds handle our rain well and stay clean with a leaf blower. A lawn or low, well-watered plants are fine farther out, in the 5 to 30 foot zone, just not against the house.
Prove it: document your work
Take dated photos of all four sides of the house showing the cleared zone, plus close-ups of vents, the deck and fence connections. Keep receipts. IBHS asks for these photos when you apply for a Wildfire Prepared Home designation, and they’re useful when you talk to an insurer. See How to Keep Your Home Insurance in Wildfire Country.
On the McKenzie River
- McKenzie Fire & Rescue does free defensible space inspections focused on driveway access and the first 50 feet: 541-896-3311.
- Choosing plants for farther out? See fire-resistant plants for the McKenzie and plants to avoid.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to remove every plant within 5 feet of my house?
For an IBHS Wildfire Prepared Home designation, yes: the zone must be free of vegetation and combustible mulch. For general safety, if you keep anything, keep it low, green, well-watered and not woody, and never surround it with bark mulch.
Is gravel required?
No. Any noncombustible surface works: gravel, rock, pavers, concrete or bare soil.
Will clearing the first 5 feet lower my insurance?
It can help, and it’s the first thing insurers and inspectors look at, but each company decides its own discounts. It reliably makes your home more likely to survive.
How often do I need to maintain it?
Check it at least twice a year: before fire season and after leaves and needles fall. Clear it again before hot, windy days.
I own a rental or live away part of the year. What should I do?
Hire a local landscaper or handyman to do the cleanup twice a year and send you dated photos. Ask your fire district for a free inspection so you have a written list.
Sources
- IBHS: Embers cause up to 90 percent of home ignitions (2020)
- IBHS: Wildfire Prepared Home requirements
- Oregon State Fire Marshal: Defensible space
- McKenzie Fire & Rescue: Defensible space inspections
General information, not a professional inspection. MCP doesn’t sell products or services.