The West Plainfield Fire Protection District has adopted the following guidelines to provide minimum protection in the event of a fire. It is your responsibility, as a resident/occupant, to maintain a defensible space around the subject property, including all buildings/structures located thereon, by removal of combustible materials that may pose a danger in the event of a fire on the subject property or from adjacent property.

1.  Maintain a defensible space 100 feet around any structure, including barns, sheds and storage buildings. A defensible space means the removal of dry grasses, brush, rubbish, dead limbs and other non- regulated vegetation growth.

2.  Trim tree limbs at least 4 feet above ground to prevent fire igniting the trees, especially conifer and eucalyptus trees. Clear fallen leaves, bark and branches.

3.  Clear weeds a minimum of 10 feet back from frontage roads, including roadside ditches. This area is often the fire origin due to ignition by smoking materials or faulty equipment.

4.  If vacant property is less than five acres, disk or mow all non-regulated vegetation growth. If property is greater than five acres, a fire break of 30 feet wide must be maintained on all sides by disking or clearing the ground.

5.  Remove tree limbs within 10 feet of the outlet of a chimney or stovepipe. Chimneys and stovepipes must have a spark guard screen in place. Remove dead leaves and branches from roof.

6.  When operating mowers or tractors, spark arrest mufflers must be installed. Maintain an emergency water supply to extinguish any fire that might result from abatement operations.

7.  Remove all vegetation at least 20 feet on all sides of any fuel storage container, including propane tanks. Make sure all flammable liquid containers are marked with a visible warning label.