Fire Safety & Vegetative Management

Fire Logo With the recent rain and lush green vegetation on the hillsides in Vista, the threat of a wildfire seems remote. However, while the current threat is relatively low at this time, the Vista Fire Department expects to see a healthy crop of grass grow which will dry out as summer approaches and become a significant hazard.

To assist residents in identifying and maintaining a suitable level of fire safety, the Vista Fire Protection District in conjunction with the Vista Fire Department has developed a Fire Safety and Vegetation Management Standard.

general fire safety restrictions and guidelines:

  • Parcels under 5 acres need to have all standing weeds and dry or dead grass cut to within two inches of the finished soil surface.
  • For areas greater than 5 acres contact the Vista Fire Department at (760) 643-2801.
  • Dead, dying and diseased trees should be removed.
  • Remove dead branches, foliage and litter. This includes dead palm fronds. Do not allow fronds to build up a “beard” or “skirt” on the tree trunks.
  • Trim trees to eliminate “ladder fuels.” Maintain a minimum of 6 feet space between the top of ground vegetation and lowest tree limbs or branches.
  • Remove flammable trees such as Eucalyptus, pines, and palm trees if possible. If removal is not possible then thin/lace trees to remove foliage.
  • Remove leaves, needles, and other vegetation from roofs and gutters.
  • Trim trees at least 10 feet from structures.
  • Maintain complete clearance along the full length and width of fire access roadways to a vertical height of 13 feet 6 inches.
  • Along public and private roadways remove flammable vegetation for a distance of 20 feet from the edge of the roadway.
  • Reduce flammable vegetation around structures as follows.
    • Zone 1: 30 feet clearance around all structures
      • Low-flammability plants, landscaping materials and accessories
      • Prune tree limbs 6 feet from the ground with generous space between trees
      • Mow, prune, and water regularly
      • Keep propane tanks and firewood piles well away from structures and free from flammable vegetation.
    • Zone 2: 30 feet to 100 feet from structure
    • 30 feet between tree clusters
    • Prune tree limbs 10 feet from the ground or at least 6 feet above any ground vegetation.
    • Remove heavy accumulations of flammable debris
  • Consider thinning dense flammable vegetation by removing approximately 50% of the fuel in a checkerboard or mosaic pattern. Once this has been accomplished maintain this pattern in the coming years.
  • Post your street address at the entrance to your driveway and attached to the structure in a visible location and in a color contrasting the background.
  • All residential automatic gates are required to have a fire department key operated override switch. Applications for this switch can be obtained from the fire department

Remember, in Southern California fire season is really all year long. The Fire Department's ability to protect residences is directly related to the efforts homeowners take to prepare their house well ahead of a fire. Please help us help you and keep your house prepared all year long.

Documents with More information

For more information, a hard copy of the Fire Safety and Vegetation Management handout, or if you would like a home fire safety survey please contact the Vista Fire Department at:

Vista Fire Department, 200 Civic Center Drive, Vista CA 92084 (760) 643-2801

Vista Fire Protection District, 955 Vale Terrace Drive, Suite A, Vista CA 92084 (760) 758-3815