Project Winner
In 2025 Washoe County Emergency Management held a contest for high school students to submit projects related to defensible space. The students were required to create something that would impact our community through education, direct action, etc. Emma Cates project "A Cozy Defensible Space" was chosen as the winner and is highlighted below. Emma will have the opportunity to present her winning project to the Board of County Commissioners and her art will be used to educate our community at preparedness fairs, Washoe County Libraries, and in Building A of the Washoe County Complex. Congratulations Emma!
A Cozy Defensible Space
Zone 0, The Ember-Resistant Zone: 0-5 feet from the house must have no combustible hazards such as wood piles or flammable vegetation. Hardscaping such as concrete, gravel, and pavers is recommended to maintain an effective Ember Resistant Zone.
Zone 1, The Lean, Clean, and Green Zone: 5-30 feet from the house. Clear the area of highly flammable vegetation such as juniper, sagebrush, and pine needles. Trees and other shrubs should be in discontinuous clusters, ranging at least 10 feet from each other.
Zone 2, The Reduced Fuel Zone: 30-100+ feet from the house. Remove all dried or dead vegetation, including pine needles, and don’t let vegetation exceed more than three inches of buildup. Continue to space out bushes and trees with a minimum of 10 feet of distance, and remove ladder fuels such as ivy.
*All trees should be limbed to ⅓ of their height, starting from the base of the trunk, going up.*
By: Emma Cates (Senior at Academy of Arts, Careers and Technology)