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Pine needles #872626

Asked June 11, 2024, 1:32 PM EDT

We have ponderosa pine needles in our front yard; over 30 feet from our house. I went to a Firewise meeting and then invited fire captain and fire marshal to our house in Larkspur for advice on fire mitigation. We were in the process of raking needles so they both saw our furrows. Then a fellow who has been a forester for 40 years stopped by and said we SHOULDN’T rake the needles as we are still in a drought; the needles are mulch and we were destroying duff. Should we or should we not rake the needles in the outer defensible space?

Douglas County Colorado

Expert Response

Hi Sue,

You should remove pine needles and any other flammable materials from the area within 5 feet of your home or other structures (including the deck, if applicable); needles further away do not need to be removed; though doing so can reduce the amount of surface fuels available to carry fire closer to structures.  It can also negatively impact trees, though, as you note, since the needles act as a mulch.

More information about protecting your home, including handy checklists for the areas both near and further away from your home, can be found in the Colorado State Forest Service document: Home Ignition Zone Guide.

I hope this is helpful!

Cordially,

John


An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 11, 2024, 4:58 PM EDT

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