Senior Disabled Defensible Space Assistance

Before

After

The Senior Disabled Defensible Space Assistance program is offered to Plumas County residents that meet the minimum requirements of being at least 65 years of age or having a disability.  The Plumas County Fire Safe Council (PCFSC) will provide a free consultation to determine the suitability of property and what work is necessary.   The program's priority is to treat permanent structures that serve as primary residences for those who have a moderate or below moderate incomes.  Homeowners that may not fully qualify for this program are encouraged to check into the other programs offered by the PCFSC.

PCFSC will:

• Prioritize applications to facilitate effective use of funding.  Some factors to be considered are income, primary vs. secondary residence, transportation/mobility issues, and overall commitment to wildfire risk mitigation.
• Provide a free educational "Home Ignition Zone" consultation for determining work necessary to meet California's Defensible Space Law under Public Resources Code (PRC) 4291 (see link below).
• Provide defensible space treatments up to $1500 that focus on removing the light, easily combustible vegetation/fuels around the home up to a distance of 100 feet or the property line, whichever comes first.  This generally includes clearing the roof and rain gutters, raking, weed whacking,  removing brush, and limbing up trees to an appropriate height.  Tree limbs, brush, and raked material will be disposed of as part of the service.​
  

PCFSC will not:

• Move or remove trash, or other non-vegetative materials surrounding the home.  An abundance of "man-made" fuels around a home minimizes the effectiveness of the defensible space treatment, and may disqualify a property from receiving service.
• Be able to provide an exact date and time that the crew will arrive.  Service dates generally fall between June 1 and October 15.  Follow this link for estimates based on 2024 field season progress.  If the anticipated timeline does not suit your needs, we recommend reaching out to a local landscaper, lawn maintenance company, or handy handyman for assistance.
• Provide a service if we cannot treat all vegetation around the home to meet the necessary standards.  The intent is wildfire safety, not general yard clean up or aesthetic enhancement.
• Guarantee to provide maintenance on an annual basis. Our goal is to assist residents in the initial creation of defensible space and leave the homeowner with  defensible space they can maintain themselves or at a reasonable cost to hire someone.

Online application

PRINTABLE Application for Assistance

Downloadable Guidelines for Creating Defensible Space

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 

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)

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.