--- title: Can I Keep a Woodpile Next to the House? Fire Rules url: https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/defensible-space-and-fire/can-i-keep-a-woodpile-next-to-the-house/ business: Battle Born Tree Service address: 6301 US Highway 50 East, Carson City, NV 89701 phone: 775.232.8243 hours: Office Monday-Friday 8:30 am-5:00 pm; phones answered seven days a week; 24-hour emergency service credentials: ISA Certified Arborist WE-11728A on staff; Nevada Business License # 20131580674; fully insured type: Tree service (removal, crane work, pruning, stump grinding, defensible space, snow removal, firewood) --- - [Home](https://battleborntreeservice.com/) - [Questions and answers](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/) - [Defensible space and fire](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/defensible-space-and-fire/) - Can I keep a woodpile next to the house? # Can I keep a woodpile next to the house? Not in wildfire country. The UNR Extension guide says to remove woodpiles from the first 5 feet around the house and to keep firewood at least 30 feet from any structure. ## Why the first five feet matter Embers from a wildfire land on whatever is nearest the wall, and a stack of dry wood catches readily. Living With Fire calls the first 5 feet Zone 0, the ember-resistant zone, and lists woodpiles first among what to remove, along with wood mulch, junipers and dead leaves and needles. The Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District makes the same point: preventing embers from igniting a home is done mostly in that non-combustible zone. The area under and around an attached deck counts too, so a stack tucked under the deck is a stack in Zone 0. ## The 30-foot rule For the wider Zone 1, the guide's checklist says to keep firewood at least 30 feet from any structure. The North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District puts firewood on its list of things to remove from the first 30 feet, with dead shrubs, dried grass and pine needles. Thirty feet is more than many city lots allow. When it cannot be met, move the stack as far as the lot permits, keep it away from fences and sheds as well, and ask your fire district what it will accept. An inspector decides what passes for your address. ## What to do about it Stack seasoned wood away from the house on bare ground or gravel, and keep clear ground around it. Our guide on [how to season and stack firewood](https://battleborntreeservice.com/guides/how-to-season-and-stack-firewood/) covers the drying side. If you plan to keep wood from a tree we remove, tell the arborist at the estimate and ask where the crew can leave it; the same 30-foot logic applies to where it lands. Call [775.232.8243](tel:775.232.8243) to talk it through. If your lot is small and 30 feet is impossible, say so to the inspector. A stack that is small and as far out as the lot allows is a better answer than a stack against the wall. Never store wood under a deck or in a shed attached to the house. ### Sources - [University of Nevada, Reno Extension: Living With Fire Defensible Space Guide (SP-23-07, PDF)](https://naes.agnt.unr.edu/PMS/Pubs/2023-5522.pdf) (read October 17, 2026) - [North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District: Defensible Space](https://nltfpd.org/en-us/defensible-space) (read October 17, 2026) - [Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District: Defensible Space](https://tahoefire.org/wildland/defensible-space/) (read October 17, 2026) ### Talk to the office [775.232.8243](tel:775.232.8243) | Monday to Friday | 8:30 am - 5:00 pm | |---|---| | Saturday and Sunday | Office closed, phones answered | Phones answered seven days a week. 24-hour emergency service. [Free estimate](#quote) ### Keep reading - [How to season and stack firewood](https://battleborntreeservice.com/guides/how-to-season-and-stack-firewood/) - [What is defensible space? Zones 0, 1 and 2](https://battleborntreeservice.com/guides/what-is-defensible-space/) - [Defensible space and fire questions](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/defensible-space-and-fire/) - [Can I keep the wood from my own tree removal?](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/firewood-and-wood-chips/can-i-keep-the-wood-from-my-tree-removal/) - [Defensible space and fire mitigation](https://battleborntreeservice.com/tree-services/defensible-space-fire-mitigation/) ### Terms on this page [Arborist](https://battleborntreeservice.com/glossary/arborist/) [The full glossary](https://battleborntreeservice.com/glossary/) ### All defensible space and fire questions - [Defensible space and fire questions](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/defensible-space-and-fire/) ## Next defensible space and fire questions people ask [Is cheatgrass part of defensible space?](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/defensible-space-and-fire/is-cheatgrass-part-of-defensible-space/) [Does bark mulch near the house raise fire risk?](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/defensible-space-and-fire/does-bark-mulch-near-the-house-raise-fire-risk/) [What should I do with the branches and slash after clearing?](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/defensible-space-and-fire/what-to-do-with-branches-after-clearing/) [Does Nevada law require 100 feet of defensible space?](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/defensible-space-and-fire/does-nevada-law-require-100-feet-of-defensible-space/) [Do all my trees have to come out for defensible space?](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/defensible-space-and-fire/do-all-my-trees-have-to-come-out/) [How far apart should trees be for defensible space?](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/defensible-space-and-fire/how-far-apart-should-trees-be/) [Previous question: How far apart should trees be for defensible space?](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/defensible-space-and-fire/how-far-apart-should-trees-be/) [Next question: When is the best time of year for defensible space work?](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/defensible-space-and-fire/best-time-of-year-for-defensible-space-work/)