Defensible Space Saves Home
Wildfire Mitigation Success

Novajo County, AZ - The home of Lois Trimble is located in the Pinedale area, Navajo County, Arizona, just 10 miles northwest of Show Low. They built their house over the years and it became their primary residence in 1981. The entire area around this home was burned by the Rodeo-Chediski Fire that swept through the community in late June 2002. However, the Trimble home was unscathed.

Mrs. Trimble explained, "The fire started on Monday. On Tuesday we were told that the fire was out. Wednesday morning, ash was raining down all around us. My son called and told us that the fire had exploded, we looked and saw it coming over the ridge. We were told to evacuate. We had one hour. Because we had experienced this before five years ago, we knew exactly what to grab - important papers, some food, clothes and photo albums. My husband is an invalid so my daughter and I had to do it all." They were evacuated to the town of Eager and sheltered there until it was safe to return. The only building which survived the fire was their home.

Their home, while not damaged by fire, had smoke and soot inside and was not immediately habitable. During the previous few years, Mr. Trimble spread decomposed granite approximately 30 to 50 feet around his home. He keeps the pine needles clear because of the fire hazard they pose to their home. The decomposed granite also helps to keep the area clean after rain and absorbs any runoff. The Trimbles, in effect, created a defensible space. Trees, shrubs and a garden area close to the house and within the cleared area did not burn. The fire leveled all of the neighbors homes and out buildings as well as burning the trees in the forest.

The current market value of the Trimble property is approximately $200,000. The cost of one dump truck load of decomposed granite is $120.00. Mr. Trimble has used four truck loads of material at a cost of less than $500.00. Clearly, the low investment of time and materials has proven very effective to protect their home from this devastating wildfire.

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