Fire Season

Peak fire season runs through October. Book your free defensible‑space walk‑through →

ServicesFire-Smart Landscaping

Defensible. Still beautiful.

Defensible space planned zone by zone across Sonoma County — fire-resistant plantings, hardscape breaks, and fuel reduction that protect your home and still look like a garden.

Zone-by-zone planning Fire-resistant planting Insurance inspection ready Free assessments
The zones

Defensible space, zone by zone.

0–5 ftZone 0

The ember-resistant band against your home: hardscape, gravel, nothing that catches.

5–30 ftZone 1

Lean, clean, and green — low fire-resistant plantings, spaced and irrigated.

30–100 ftZone 2

Reduced fuel: thinned brush, limbed trees, and clear separation between plant groups.

What's included

What this service includes.

Defensible space planning

Your property mapped zone by zone against California's guidance — and against your insurer's letter, if you have one.

Fire-resistant planting

Low-fuel species chosen and spaced so the property stays protected and still reads as a garden.

Brush and fuel reduction

Thinning, limbing, and clearing the fuel ladder, so fire can't climb from the ground into the canopy.

Our process

How it comes together.

1

Defensible space walk

We walk the property zone by zone. Preparing for an inspection? Bring the letter — we'll carry the requirements with us.

2

Zone map and quote

A clear plan of what changes in each zone, and an honest written number.

3

Reduce and replant

Fuel comes out, fire-resistant plantings and breaks go in — protection that doesn't look like a fire break.

4

Seasonal upkeep

Fuel regrows every year. We can put a pre-season check on a recurring schedule so it never lapses.

Ready to get started? Get a free assessment
Common questions

Fire-smart landscaping, answered.

Will my yard end up looking like a gravel lot?
No. Defensible space is about plant choice, spacing, and fuel, not removing everything. We replant with low-fuel species so the property still reads as a garden.
How do the clearance zones work?
California's defensible space guidance works outward from the structure, with the strictest requirements closest to the walls. We map your zones on the site walk and explain exactly what applies to your property.
Do I have to take out my trees?
Usually not. More often the fix is limbing up, thinning, and clearing what sits underneath, so fire cannot climb from the ground into the canopy.
How often does this need redoing?
Fuel regrows every season. Most properties need a check before fire season, and we can put that on a recurring schedule.
Got a letter from your insurer? Bring it — we'll walk the property with the requirements in hand. Get a free assessment
Why Nieto

Built by a family that stands behind the work.

Two generations of craft

A family trade passed from father to son, brought to every job we take on.

One accountable crew

The same team designs and builds it, so nothing gets lost in a handoff.

Fair, upfront pricing

A clear quote with no surprises, and 0% financing available.

Local to Sonoma County

Windsor based, working with the soil, sun, and plants we know firsthand.

Fire-Smart Landscaping

What clients say.

4.9 on Google · 16 reviews
★★★★★
“Thank you so much for the great work with our backyard! Communication was fantastic. Quick responses and really professional. Everyone was communicative and made sure that we were on the same page as far as materials and color.”
Joyann AgbulosGoogle review
★★★★★
“Jerry is very professional, honest and hardworking. Hired him for a project and he finished it ahead of schedule and the job looks amazing!”
Pamm CrossonGoogle review
★★★★★
“I was so very happy with the entire process of hiring this company. They were very friendly and prompt with coming to view the job. Estimate was very fair and I couldn’t be happier with their work.”
Leslie MetoyerGoogle review
The best time for defensible space was last season. The second best is before the next one. Get a free assessment

Ready before fire season?

Preparing for an insurance inspection? Bring us the letter — we'll walk the property with the requirements in hand and bring you a free, honest assessment.

Zone-by-zone planningFree assessments, no obligation