Defensible Space Assistance Program

DSAFIE (Defensible Space Assistance for Income-Eligible) helps low-income seniors and persons with physical limitations adhere to defensible space regulations, which are designed to protect homes and lives in wildfire-prone areas. If you are physically and financially unable to maintain the state-mandated 100’ of defensible space around your home, the DSAFIE program may provide FREE help.  PLEASE USE THE SIGN-UP BUTTON ABOVE TO ENROLL, OR CALL OUR OFFICE AT 707-462-3662.  Due to limited staffing, it may take a couple of weeks to receive confirmation of your application–but we will endeavor to answer all phone messages as soon as we can.

DSAFIE services may include:

  • Brush and tree trimming/thinning.
  • Cutting tall weeds.
  • Roof and gutter cleaning.
  • Raking of dead leaves and pine needles.
  • Chipping of removed vegetation. (Unless agreed on prior to the work chips are usually left onsite.)
  • Work performed by insured contractors.

Guidelines:

  • You must be 65 years or older, or must be unable to complete this work due to temporary or permanent physical limitations.
  • You must be financially unable to hire a contractor.
  • You must be the legal owner of the property to be cleared, or be the party legally responsible for landscape maintenance.
  • You will need to sign an agreement giving permission for our crew to work on your property and acknowledging the limits of the service we can provide.

A copy of the work agreement is available HERE for a PDF or HERE for a Word Format.  We will need a signed copy before our crew can begin working on your defensible space.  You can sign and return it to us at admin@firesafemendocino.org or provide it to the crew when they arrive.

This service is supported by the County of Mendocino, through an allocation of PG&E disaster-relief settlement funds.

Note: The Mendocino County Fire Safe Council is not a legal affiliate of the County of Mendocino.