1.  Try to have at least 30 feet of space surrounding your home that is:

         a.   LEAN - Prune shrubs and cut back tree branches, esp. within 15 ft. of chimney

         b.   CLEAN - Remove dead plant material from around home, ie: dead leaves, vegetation, stacked firewood

         c.   GREEN - plant fire-resistant plants that stay healthy and green throughout the year.

2.  Do some firewise landscaping.  

       Think of the area around your home in Zones - 
                                                Zone 1 being the closest to the house, and Zone 4 the farthest away.

      Zone 1 - well-irrigated area - surrounds structure/s for at least 30 feet on all sides. Plant carefully spaced
                    fire resistant trees and shrubs in this area.

      Zone 2 - use fire resistant plants here and watering should extend into this area as well.

      Zone 3 - Low-growing plants and well-spaced trees are good in this area. Remember to keep the total volume of vegetation (fuel) low.

      Zone 4 - This furthest zone from the building is a natural area. Thin selectively and remove highly flammable vegetation. Low-growing plants are best.