Defensible Space for Low-income Seniors and Disabled Residents
The Tuolumne Fire Safe Council (TFSC) has been awarded funding from the CAL FIRE Climate Investment Grant to create defensible space around the homes of low- income seniors and disabled residents in Tuolumne County. The Grant amount is $879,000 which will be spread over 5 years, 2024-2029.
The Defensible Space for Seniors and Disabled in Tuolumne County project will provide defensible space for low-income seniors age 65 and older and disabled individuals who are economically and/or physically unable to do this work or hire a contractor to do the work. The project is countywide and will treat an estimated 425 habitable structures/302 acres over 4 years.
Reducing vegetation fuels can lessen a fires intensity and speed and will reduce the risk to homes. This program is intended to help individuals create defensible space (maximum 100 feet or to property lines) around the primary residence. It may not to be used for clearing acreage or vacant parcels.
Participation in this program is voluntary and at no cost to the applicant. Services provided and the duration of this program are contingent upon the amount of funding received. Applications will be accepted on a first-come-first-serve basis, except for priority to eligible applicants who have had a CAL FIRE inspection. Applicants must meet the Eligibility Criteria.
- Disabled
- Senior (65 or over) and Low-income (Maximum income limits: 1 person = $54,250, 2 = $62,000, 3 = $69,750, 4 = $77,450
Clearance provided by the TFSC may not meet the full requirements of the State of California’s Public Resources Code 4291 and/ or Tuolumne County or City of Sonora Ordinances. It is still the resident’s or property owners’ responsibility to comply with fuel reduction requirements.
A resident does not need to be home for clearing services to be completed. If resident wishes to be home, they must inform the Project Manager. The contractor will rake needles/leaves, weed eat, cut and remove brush, and limb ladder fuels from trees around the home. Trees up to 12″ dbh (diameter at breast height) may be removed. Trees up to or greater than 10″dbh will require property owner agreement prior to removal”. Green waste will be removed from the property by the contractor. The Resident may modify waste removal (such as keeping chips or firewood on site) with the Project Manager.
After an application has been submitted:
- TSFC will determine applicants’ eligibility.
- Applications will be batched based on geographical locations to facilitate completion of environmental analysis and development of contractor specifications.
- A Project Manager will conduct an on-site defensible space assessment. Property owner must be in attendance to participate, review the work order, and sign the Right of Entry documentation.
- A licensed Contractor will be scheduled to perform the work. The Project Manager will communicate directly with the resident to coordinate.
Note: Submitting an application does not guarantee approval by TFSC. Due to high volume and limited funding, some applicants may not be served. Timing will be determined based on contractor scheduling and logistics. It may take weeks or months before an application comes up for processing. Please be patient.
To Apply:
Complete the application form on-line and submit it electronically.
For questions or additional information contact: Tricia@trcd.org, 209-642-8304.
The following communities are NOT included in the Tuolumne Fire Safe Council (TFSC) Low Income Seniors & Disabled Defensible Space Project. They are included in the Tuolumne County Community Wildfire Defense Grant Project Areas: Cedar Ridge, Mi-Wuk Village and Yankee Hill side of Columbia.
For more information on the County project contact Tuolumne County Office of Emergency Services 209-533-6395 or visit https://www.tuolumnecounty.ca.gov/1942/USDA-Community-Wildfire-Defense-Grant
What can I do to protect my home? Create DEFENSIBLE SPACE
Defensible space is the buffer between your structure and the surrounding area.
Adequate defensible space acts as a barrier to slow or halt the progress of fire that would otherwise engulf your property. It also helps ensure the safety of firefighters defending your home. Defensible space is the first line of defense for your home against wildfire.
Defensible space is crucial for your home’s wildfire safety. It’s the buffer zone you create between your property and the surrounding wildland area. This space is key to slowing or stopping wildfire spread and protecting your home from embers, flames, or heat. It also gives firefighters a safer area to defend your property.
In each zone, the intensity of vegetation management increases as you get closer to your home. The goal is to start at your house and work outward, reaching up to 100 feet or your property line.
- Zone 0: Zone 0 extends 0- 5 feet from your home, focusing on intense fuel reduction to protect against ember attacks.
- Zones 1 & 2: These zones cover up to 100 feet around your home. (or to your property line whichever comes first) They’re required by law and involve varying levels of vegetation management.
For more information on Defensible Space and Public Resource Code 4291 requirements visit READY FOR WILDFIRE.
Terms, Conditions & Requirements
After an application is received,
- Tuolumne Fire Safe Council (TFSC) will determine the applicants’ eligibility. Submitting an application does not guarantee service.
- Project Manager will conduct on-site defensible space assessment. Property owner must be in attendance to participate and sign the proposed Work Order and Right of Entry documentation.
- A licensed Contractor will be scheduled to perform the work
The resident will be informed of any changes to the work order.
A resident does not need to be home for clearing services to be completed. If resident wishes to be home, they must inform the Contractor when they call you to schedule.
The contractor will rake pine needles/leaves, weed eat, cut and remove brush, and limb ladder fuels from trees around the home. Small trees, 7 inches or less may be removed. Green waste will be removed from the property by the contractor.
The Resident may modify waste removal (such as keeping chips or firewood on site) with the Project Manager.
Program does NOT clean roofs or gutters.
Program does NOT remove trees greater than 12″ in diameter.
If Project Manager/Contractor cannot get ahold of the resident after 3 attempts, the application may be canceled. The property owner will be notified by mail of the cancelation.
The TFSC reserves the right to refuse service to anyone.
Mutual respect between residents and all associates contracted with the TFSC is essential.
For questions or concerns, please contact project managers:
Jerry McGowan, TBD
Scott Fremd, 209-431-9731
