Your Guide to Exterior Fire Hazard Inspections

Whether you're preparing for an upcoming inspection or you've received a citation, this guide is here to help you understand what to expect, what actions to take, and where to find support.

Exterior fire hazard inspections help reduce fire risk, improve community safety, and support emergency access and evacuation efforts throughout our communities.

Property owners are encouraged to review their properties and address potential fire hazards throughout the year. Compliance with Moraga-Orinda Fire District's exterior fire hazard abatement requirements is required by law and must be maintained year-round.

The good news: there are free tools, resources, and support programs available.

The 4 steps below can help you get started!

Step 1: Know What Inspectors Are Looking For

Exterior fire hazard inspections help identify conditions that can increase fire risk around homes, neighborhoods, and evacuation routes. Inspectors focus on the below 3 defensible space zones around your home:

Start closest to your home to be ember resistant (Zone 0): Keeping this area clear can prevent embers from igniting materials that can spread fire to your home.

✓ Use hardscapes like gravel, pavers, or concrete.
✓ Remove all dead and dying plants from your roof, gutter, and decks.
✓ Remove all branches within 10 feet of any chimney.

Keep it lean and clean within 30 feet (Zone 1): Creating a buffer for your property reduces potential fuel for fire.

✓ Remove all dead plants, grass, and weeds.
✓ Remove dead or dry leaves and pine needles.
✓ Trim trees regularly to keep branches a minimum or 10 feet from other trees.

Reduce potential fuel within 100 feet (Zone 2): Continue reducing potential fuel within 100 feet or the property line.

✓ Keep grass down to a maximum height of three inches
✓ Trim trees to create 6 feet of vertical space
✓ Remove fallen leaves, needles, twigs, bark, cones, and small branches.

Illustration of a house surrounded by different fire safety zones, marked with numbers and distance measurements. The zones are labeled as 0’-5’, 5’-30’, and 30’+, with vegetation and trees placed according to defensible space guidelines.

Step 2: Take a Walk Around Your Property

One of the easiest ways to prepare is to conduct a quick property check. Start with the first five feet of your home with Zone 0, then Zone 1, and finally Zone 2.

Ask yourself:

✓ Have grasses and weeds been cut and maintained?
✓ Is dead vegetation removed?
✓ Are roofs and gutters free of leaves and debris?
✓ Are trees and shrubs properly maintained?
✓ Are combustible materials stored appropriately?
✓ Are driveways and access roads clear of hazardous vegetation?

Small actions throughout the year can help improve fire safety and make inspection preparation easier.

Want to learn more?

→ Learn more about home hardening

Below is a visual guide to home hardening. Click on each element to learn how to make your home wildfire-ready.

Step 3: Schedule a Free Wildfire Safety Assessment

Step 4: Explore Free Resources and Support

Received a Citation? Here's What to Do Next.

If you received a citation, your property does not currently meet one or more exterior fire hazard abatement requirements. Addressing these issues helps:

✓ Protect your home and neighborhood
✓ Reduce fire risk
✓ Support safer evacuations
✓ Avoid additional enforcement actions or penalties

You do not have to navigate this process alone. MOFD works with local partners to connect residents with resources, guidance, and support programs that can help reduce fire risk and improve compliance.

Next Steps:

Review your citation to understand the specific violations identified during your inspection.
Prioritize the required corrections using the recommendations provided in your citation.
Explore the free resources and assistance programs available above to help you complete the required work.
Report your progress. Once all violations listed in your citation have been corrected, submit your self-compliance here.
Need additional help? If you have questions about your citation or are looking for additional resources, we're here to help. Contact us at info@mofd.org.

Dive Into The 2026 Inspection Schedule

Moraga: June 23 and June 24

This is an area between School Street and Canyon Road

Orinda: June 25 through July 2

This area includes Monte Vista Ridge Road and Claremont Avenue off Camino Pablo.

Orinda: July 6 through July 10

This area is behind the Orinda Country Club. It includes Manzanita Drive, Acacia Drive, and Los Altos.

Orinda: July 13 through 17

Charles Hill and Diablo View neighborhood.

Moraga: July 20 through July 31

This area includes Camino Pablo between Rimer Drive and Tharp Drive down to Quail Xing and over to Sky View Court.

Fire Preparedness Is a Year-Round Responsibility

Fire preparedness isn't just for inspection season; it's a year-round responsibility. Keeping your property maintained throughout the year helps protect your home, your neighbors, and our community while making future inspections quick and stress-free.

Small actions taken throughout the year can make a meaningful difference during the fire season and help you avoid citations during annual inspections.