Tahoe defensible space evaluations fueled by mandatory law

LAKE TAHOE — Area tree services say announcements of mandatory, enforced defensible space by local fire districts are fueling business this summer.

Most basin fire agencies now mandate defensible space, and in California they can use fines to enforce the policy — the clearing of vegetation to encourage fire safety — for businesses and homes, causing many residents and business owners to pick up the phone for defensible space work.

Dana Hawley, owner of A1 BMP's & Defensible Space in Tahoe City, said work is steadily busy for defensible space, a continuation of a busy summer last year.

He said the spike of people rushing to get work done after the Angora fire destroyed more than 250 homes in South Lake Tahoe two years ago has died down, but mandates from the fire district keep customers coming.

“The mandatory defensible space is keeping the same flow of business coming through even though Angora is leaving their memory,” Hawley said.

Scott McCarron of Incline Village-based Zephyr Companies concurred and said business for defensible space work is in demand.

“A lot of people haven't really been aware of it in the past and are now catching on,” McCarron said. “Most people now understand the value of it and are willing to put in the money and time.”

George Kirk, a co-owner of Homewood-based Cut-Rite Tree and Spray, echoed Hawley's feelings that the panic after Angora has diminished — but business continues to surge.

Jackie Senske has been seeing that surge for 10 years at Arbor Care of Tahoe, a Tahoe City-based service.

She said the company has experienced growth over the decade of business, especially the past two years.

“We've definitely seen business go up,” Senske said. “We're getting a lot of people willing and able to get their work done and are being proactive to get it done.”

The cost

Senske said often residents call even before they take the initial steps of contacting their local fire district for a defensible space inspection. Also, she said, many don't know about the rebate extended to all basin residents by the Nevada Fire Safe Council. The NFSC will rebate 50 percent of the cost of a homeowner's work up to $1,000.

Kirk said the rebate helps people who may have some reticence about the costs.

Those familiar with the costs associated with defensible space work — which can range into the thousands — say the price tag doesn't scare many customers away.

“I think people are willing to pay and the amount of people who do defensible space work has grown,” Hawley said. “You can get some very competitive pricing. People also spend because there are a number of benefits, the fire safety and the fact that clearing the property increases its aesthetic appeal. It looks a little more well-kept.”

The do it yourself model

Homeowners are also willing to do some of the labor required to create the defensible space.

Senske said some customers will consult with Arbor Care and use the company to help remove trees and other vegetation which requires advanced hardware.

“Typically we're starting from scratch, though, and they haven't done any work probably 95 percent of the time,” Senske said.

But, she said, many residents are more than willing to clear smaller brush and pine needles from their property to keep costs down.

Similarly, Hawley said he sees residents start on their defensible space work before realizing the task might be too big for them.

“Generally what happens is people think they can do all their own work, but when they get to it (they) realize just how much debris has to be taken out of their property — it can be massive,” Hawley said.

Some of the tree companies, like Zephyr, offer a range of services to clients beyond simply removing vegetation, as fire-safe landscaping and outdoor sprinkler systems are available, McCarron said.

“We hear a lot from people that use our service wondering why more people don't, it seems to be common sense,” McCarron said.