Will It Burn?

The 0-5 Foot Noncombustible Zone: Learn What Not to Store Near Your Home

The first five feet around your home are critical for wildfire defense—but they’re often filled with everyday items that could put your home at risk. If embers land in this zone, what’s there could make all the difference.

Put yourself to the test to find out what belongs—and what doesn’t—near your home’s foundation. You might be surprised by what we test.

As a key part of a systems-based approach for wildfire mitigation, it is critical to create and maintain a noncombustible 5-foot buffer to help protect homes and reduce the risk of wildfire. Because embers exploit the weakest link, all combustible items, even if they are labeled “fire-resistant,” must be removed.

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE: WILL IT BURN?

Select all of the items that DO NOT BELONG within the 0-5 Foot Noncombustible Zone

BEGIN

Great Job! You correctly selected the combustible items in the 0-5 foot Zone.

You should not have selected:

Concrete Bird Bath – Solid concrete yard ornaments are noncombustible and can be kept safely in the 0–5 Foot Noncombustible Zone.

Metal Benches – Solid metal furniture and decorations are noncombustible and can be kept safely in the 0–5 Foot Noncombustible Zone.

You should have selected:

Plants– Plants, even if considered fire-resistant, are still combustible and can cause direct flame contact to your home. They should not be kept in the 0-5 Foot Noncombustible Zone.

Wood Mulch – Wood mulch is highly combustible and can permit fire to spread to the structure quickly threatening your home. It should not be kept in the 0-5 Foot Noncombustible Zone.

Trash or Recycling Bins - Trash bins and their contents are combustible and can easily spread fire to your home. Place them inside a garage or outside the 0-5 Foot Noncombustible Zone.

To protect your home during Red Flag Warnings or extended absences, clear vegetative debris and remove any combustible items from the 0-5 Foot Noncombustible Zone.