Senior Disabled Defensible Space Assistance
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The Senior Disabled Defensible Space Assistance Program supports Plumas County residents who meet one of the following minimum eligibility criteria: 65 years of age or older, or living with a disability
This program is designed to assist those who may need help maintaining defensible space around their homes due to physical or financial limitations. Defensible space is an essential step in reducing wildfire risk and improving community safety.
The Plumas County Fire Safe Council (PCFSC) provides a free property consultation to assess defensible space needs and determine eligibility. Priority is given to primary residences of individuals or families with moderate or below-moderate incomes.
If you do not fully qualify for this program, we encourage you to explore other PCFSC assistance opportunities on this website that may better suit your needs.
What the Program Includes:
What the Program Does Not Include:
This program is designed to assist those who may need help maintaining defensible space around their homes due to physical or financial limitations. Defensible space is an essential step in reducing wildfire risk and improving community safety.
The Plumas County Fire Safe Council (PCFSC) provides a free property consultation to assess defensible space needs and determine eligibility. Priority is given to primary residences of individuals or families with moderate or below-moderate incomes.
If you do not fully qualify for this program, we encourage you to explore other PCFSC assistance opportunities on this website that may better suit your needs.
What the Program Includes:
- Prioritized application review to ensure funding is used effectively. Factors considered include income level, primary vs. secondary residence, transportation or mobility limitations, and overall commitment to wildfire preparedness.
- A free “Home Ignition Zone” consultation to help property owners meet California’s Defensible Space Law (Public Resources Code §4291).
- Defensible space treatments that focus on removing light, easily combustible vegetation up to 100 feet from the home or to the property line, whichever is closer.
- Clearing roofs and gutters
- Raking, weed trimming, and brush removal
- Limbing trees to appropriate heights
- Disposing of removed vegetation and debris
What the Program Does Not Include:
- Trash or debris removal: Clutter and other non-vegetative materials (“man-made fuels”) reduce the effectiveness of defensible space work and may lower an applicants priority for service.
- Guaranteed scheduling: Crews typically operate between June 1 and October 15. Exact service dates and times cannot be guaranteed. Work begins in the east end of the county and moves westerly as the season progresses.
- Partial or cosmetic work: Treatments must meet defensible space standards and focus on wildfire safety, not general yard maintenance or aesthetic improvements. Reluctance to mitigate significant defensible space issues may lower an applicants priority for service.
- Annual maintenance: Our goal is to help homeowners establish a safe defensible space that can be maintained independently or through affordable local services.
The Plumas County Fire Safe Council is actively working to secure grant funding to support defensible space operations for the 2026 field season. We remain optimistic that our services will continue without interruption.
However, as competition for wildfire mitigation funding continues to grow statewide, there is a possibility that funding could be delayed or may not become available. If that occurs, we may be unable to provide direct, hands-on defensible space treatments during that period.
Even so, our team will remain available to offer guidance, resources, and technical support to homeowners who wish to pursue defensible space work on their own.
We greatly appreciate your patience, flexibility, and continued commitment to making our communities safer from wildfire.
However, as competition for wildfire mitigation funding continues to grow statewide, there is a possibility that funding could be delayed or may not become available. If that occurs, we may be unable to provide direct, hands-on defensible space treatments during that period.
Even so, our team will remain available to offer guidance, resources, and technical support to homeowners who wish to pursue defensible space work on their own.
We greatly appreciate your patience, flexibility, and continued commitment to making our communities safer from wildfire.
PRINTABLE Application for Assistance
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Downloadable Guidelines for Creating Defensible Space
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Contact Tommy Brenzovich:
Email: [email protected]
530-927-5334 (FAX: 283-5465)
c/o Plumas County Fire Safe Council
P.O. Box 1225, Quincy, CA 95971
Email: [email protected]
530-927-5334 (FAX: 283-5465)
c/o Plumas County Fire Safe Council
P.O. Box 1225, Quincy, CA 95971
If you would like to make a tax-deducible donation to support continuation of the Senior/Disabled Defensible Space program please send a check to Plumas County Fire Safe Council, Attention: Matt West, PO Box 1225, Quincy CA 95971
Alternatively you can use the secure PayPal button below (please note that PayPal reserves a portion of your donation)
Alternatively you can use the secure PayPal button below (please note that PayPal reserves a portion of your donation)
The Plumas County Fire Safe Council provides this program with funding from the Plumas County Board of Supervisors, the Plumas NF through the Plumas Resource Advisory Committee, the California Fire Safe Council Clearinghouse with funds from the US Forest Service, Cal Fire State Responsibility Area Fire Prevention Funds, and assistance from Plumas Corporation and Plumas Rural Services.
