Defensible Space for Low-income Seniors and Disabled Residents

How it works

Tuolumne Fire Safe Council (TFSC) says it received funding from the CAL FIRE Climate Investment Grant to create defensible space around homes in Tuolumne County. The program is voluntary and provided at no cost to the applicant.

What the money covers

The contractor rakes needles and leaves, weed eats, cuts and removes brush, and lops ladder fuels from trees around the home. Trees up to 12 inches dbh may be removed. Trees at or greater than 10 inches dbh require property owner agreement before removal. Green waste is removed from the property by the contractor, although the resident may modify waste removal with the Project Manager, such as keeping chips or firewood on site.

Amounts and scale

The grant amount is $879,000, spread over 5 years (2024-2029). The project is countywide and is expected to treat about 425 habitable structures across 302 acres over 4 years.

How to apply

After an application is submitted, TFSC determines eligibility. Applications are batched by geographic location to help with environmental analysis and contractor specifications. A Project Manager then conducts an on-site defensible space assessment. The property owner must be present to participate, review the work order, and sign the Landowner Agreement documentation. A licensed contractor is then scheduled to perform the work, and the Project Manager coordinates directly with the resident.

Timing and deadlines

Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority for eligible applicants who have had a CAL FIRE inspection. However, the page states that the current approved applications exceed program funds, so no further applications are being accepted at this time. TFSC says it is pursuing additional funding and asks residents to check back periodically. The page was updated May 8, 2026.