Defensible Space & Wildfire Defense in San Bernardino, CA

Risk is concentrated in northern foothill neighborhoods — Verdemont, Arrowhead Suburban Farms, areas north of Highway 30 and Foothill Drive, Devil Canyon, Cable Canyon, and Little Mountain. These neighborhoods sit directly at the base of the San Bernardino Mountains with chaparral exposure and steep terrain. Central and south San Bernardino are largely valley floor with lower fire risk.

The Old Fire originated in the mountains above Waterman Canyon and burned through north San Bernardino neighborhoods including Verdemont and Arrowhead Suburban. The fire destroyed approximately 1,000 structures across San Bernardino County and remains one of the most destructive in California history. North San Bernardino properties experienced mass evacuations and direct fire impact.

No — only properties in designated fire hazard severity zones. Most south and central San Bernardino properties are valley floor with limited fire risk. Northern foothill neighborhoods (Verdemont, Arrowhead Suburban, north of Foothill Drive) face significant requirements. Use CAL FIRE's online map at egis.fire.ca.gov to confirm your parcel.

Properties in fire hazard zones must clear weeds and grasses to 4 inches or less, remove combustible debris, eliminate dead vegetation, and maintain 100 feet of defensible space around structures per County Code 23.0301–23.0319 and California PRC 4291. Annual compliance with 30-day notice windows for non-compliance.

Coverage has become difficult for properties in fire hazard zones. Many carriers now require documented defensible space work for renewal in north San Bernardino foothill neighborhoods. Some have stopped writing new policies entirely in these areas. The California FAIR Plan is increasingly the only option for some properties without documented mitigation.

Service focuses on the foothill neighborhoods where fire risk and compliance requirements are concentrated — Verdemont, Arrowhead Suburban, north San Bernardino, Devil Canyon, Cable Canyon, Little Mountain, and surrounding foothill areas. Properties in central/south San Bernardino with limited fire risk are not the primary service area.