The Vegetation Management Program (VMP) was developed to ensure there is adequate defensible space in the wildland-urban interface areas between the open space and homes in our hillside and canyon communities. VMP activities include annual inspections and review/permitting of landscape and fuel modification plans for properties in the High and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone.

The ultimate goal of the Vegetation Management Program is to reduce the risk of buildings being ignited by a nearby wildfire. This is achieved by creating a buffer of defensible space with maintained vegetation between the building and the surrounding unmaintained/ natural vegetation. This buffer will provide: space for the fire intensity and spread to decrease before reaching the building, the reduction of the nearest sources of fuel that produce burning embers or are receptive to ignition from burning embers, and space for burning embers to fall harmlessly to the ground before reaching the building. The California Fire Code with Glendale Amendments requires this defensible space to be maintained 100 feet from any nearby combustible building, including buildings on adjacent properties.

To learn more about the Glendale Fire Department Vegetation Management Program, see the links below:

• Fire Hazard Severity Zones
• Defensible Space
• Landscape and Fuel Modification
• Hardening Your Home
• Vegetation Management Program Fee
• AB 38 – Real Estate Disclosure Law

Glendale VMP Resources:

• VMP Public Portal
• Brush Clearance Contractor List
• GYA Weed Abatement
• 2020 VMP Letter
• VMP Brochure
• News and Guides

For additional information about defensible space, brush clearance and wildfire planning:

• CalFire Wildfire Planning and Engineering
• Los Angeles County Department of Agricultural Commissioner / Weights and Measures (ACWM) Weed Abatement Program