---
title: Defensible Space in Lemmon Valley, NV | Battle Born Tree
url: https://battleborntreeservice.com/service-areas/lemmon-valley/defensible-space/
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/)
- [Service areas](https://battleborntreeservice.com/service-areas/)
- [Lemmon Valley](https://battleborntreeservice.com/service-areas/lemmon-valley/)
- Defensible space and fire mitigation

# Defensible space and fire mitigation in Lemmon Valley, NV

Defensible space in Lemmon Valley addresses one of the highest wildfire ratings we serve: the USDA Forest Service ranks its risk to homes higher than 99.2% of US communities and 93% of Nevada communities. Battle Born Tree Service thins and limbs the older trees, mows the brush and hauls the debris, working from an arborist's plan.

Lemmon Valley is a long-settled community north of Reno at about 4,950 feet. More than half of its homes were built before 1980, nearly all are owner-occupied, and about 45% of its buildings are in the direct exposure zone.

## At a glance

- Risk to homes higher than 99.2% of US communities
- About 45% of buildings in the direct exposure zone
- About 9% of households heat mainly with wood
- Poeville Road and Reservoir fires centred about 3.7 miles away

## How does Lemmon Valley compare?

Lemmon Valley ranks above Washoe County on every measure in the table, including home risk (99.2 against 97.2) and buildings directly exposed (45.3% against 16.3%).

| Measure (USDA Forest Service) | Lemmon Valley | Washoe County |
|---|---|---|
| Risk to homes, US percentile | 99.2 | 97.2 |
| Wildfire likelihood, US percentile | 99.2 | 97.3 |
| Buildings directly exposed | 45.3% | 16.3% |
| Buildings indirectly exposed | 54.4% | 50.6% |

Both the chance of fire and the consequence for homes rank near the top nationally. Close to half of the community's roughly 3,000 buildings stand beside vegetation that could carry flame to them.

## Forty-year-old trees need lifting and cleaning

The median home dates from 1979 (American Community Survey; a small community, so the figure is approximate). Trees planted then are full grown. On a fire plan they get three things: lower limbs lifted so ground fire cannot climb, dead wood removed from the crown, and branches cleared from the roof.

Dead trees come out entirely. If one stands over a house or shop, the arborist chooses the method. Our [crane vs climbing vs bucket truck](https://battleborntreeservice.com/guides/crane-vs-climbing-vs-bucket-truck/) guide explains the options.

## Where should the woodpile go?

About 9% of Lemmon Valley households heat mainly with wood, far above the Washoe County share of about 1%. A woodpile on the porch is handy in January and a liability in August. The Living With Fire guide lists woodpiles first among the things to remove from the 5 feet next to a home.

Moving the stack is the owner's job. Clearing the weeds and brush around its new spot can go on our estimate. For stacking, see [how to season and stack firewood](https://battleborntreeservice.com/guides/how-to-season-and-stack-firewood/).

## Brush on the back of the lot

Where a property has unused ground in sagebrush, the Bobcat T870 with the brush mower or masticating head is the efficient way to reduce it. Fences, animals, wells and septic fields all need to be pointed out before the machine starts, so walk the ground with the arborist. More on [lot clearing and brush mowing in Lemmon Valley](https://battleborntreeservice.com/service-areas/lemmon-valley/lot-clearing-brush-mowing/).

## Fires on the map

The National Interagency Fire Center maps the Poeville Road Fire of 2020 at 2,973 acres and the Reservoir Fire of 1999 at 6,163 acres, each centred about 3.7 miles from the middle of the community. The Red Rock Fire of 1999 (7,015 acres) and the Mitchell Canyon Fire of 1984 (9,469 acres) are farther out. A gauge 1.5 miles away (Reno 5.3 N) averages about 10.1 inches of precipitation a year.

### Sources

- [USDA Forest Service, Wildfire Risk to Communities](https://wildfirerisk.org/download/) (April 2026 data)
- [U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 five-year estimates, Lemmon Valley CDP](https://data.census.gov/) (retrieved October 1, 2026)
- [University of Nevada, Reno Extension: Living With Fire defensible space guide (SP-23-07)](https://extension.unr.edu/publication.aspx?PubID=5522) (read October 1, 2026)
- [National Interagency Fire Center, fire perimeter history (Poeville Road 2020, Reservoir 1999, Red Rock 1999, Mitchell Canyon 1984)](https://data-nifc.opendata.arcgis.com/) (retrieved October 1, 2026)

- **Drive from our yard:** about 48 min 40.9 miles

- **Elevation:** 4,954 ft USGS

- **USDA hardiness zone:** 7b 2023 map

- **Homes built before 1980:** 53% median year built 1979

Sources: drive time from our yard at 6301 US Highway 50 East, free-flow, OSRM / Census Geocoder; elevation, USGS 3DEP; hardiness zone, USDA 2023 map; housing figures, U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 five-year estimates; wildfire risk, USDA Forest Service Wildfire Risk to Communities (April 2026 data). Retrieved October 1, 2026.

### Start here

- [About the service: Defensible space and fire mitigation](https://battleborntreeservice.com/tree-services/defensible-space-fire-mitigation/)
- [Tree service in Lemmon Valley](https://battleborntreeservice.com/service-areas/lemmon-valley/)
- [Fire district: Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District](https://battleborntreeservice.com/fire-districts/truckee-meadows-fpd/)

### 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)

### Related

- [Lemmon Valley](https://battleborntreeservice.com/service-areas/lemmon-valley/)
- [Lot clearing and brush mowing in Lemmon Valley](https://battleborntreeservice.com/service-areas/lemmon-valley/lot-clearing-brush-mowing/)
- [Defensible space and fire mitigation](https://battleborntreeservice.com/tree-services/defensible-space-fire-mitigation/)
- [Ladder fuels and limbing up](https://battleborntreeservice.com/guides/ladder-fuels-limbing-up/)
- [Who heats with wood in Northern Nevada](https://battleborntreeservice.com/data/wood-heat-households/)
- [Wildfire risk to homes in Northern Nevada: what the numbers say](https://battleborntreeservice.com/guides/wildfire-risk-to-homes-northern-nevada/)

## The three defensible space zones

- Zone 0: 0 to 5 feet. Ember-resistant zone. Nothing that burns against the house: clear dead leaves and needles, move firewood away, cut back branches that touch walls or hang over the roof.
- Zone 1: 5 to 30 feet. Lean, clean and green. Remove dead plants and ladder fuels, limb up trees, and break up continuous shrubs such as junipers.
- Zone 2: 30 to 100 feet. Reduced fuel. Thin crowded trees and brush so fire stays on the ground and slows down. This is where the brush mower and masticator work.

Zones from the University of Nevada, Reno Extension Living With Fire guide (2023). Your fire protection district may set its own rules.

## Other services in Lemmon Valley

[Tree removal](https://battleborntreeservice.com/service-areas/lemmon-valley/tree-removal/) [Tree trimming and pruning](https://battleborntreeservice.com/service-areas/lemmon-valley/tree-trimming/) [Stump grinding](https://battleborntreeservice.com/service-areas/lemmon-valley/stump-grinding/) [Emergency tree service](https://battleborntreeservice.com/service-areas/lemmon-valley/emergency-tree-service/) [Lot clearing and brush mowing](https://battleborntreeservice.com/service-areas/lemmon-valley/lot-clearing-brush-mowing/) [Crane-assisted tree removal](https://battleborntreeservice.com/service-areas/lemmon-valley/crane-tree-removal/) [Certified arborist](https://battleborntreeservice.com/service-areas/lemmon-valley/arborist/) [Firewood](https://battleborntreeservice.com/service-areas/lemmon-valley/firewood/)

## Defensible space and fire mitigation in nearby towns

[Reno](https://battleborntreeservice.com/service-areas/reno/defensible-space/) [South Reno](https://battleborntreeservice.com/service-areas/south-reno/defensible-space/) [Galena and Mt. Rose Highway](https://battleborntreeservice.com/service-areas/galena-mt-rose/defensible-space/) [Caughlin Ranch](https://battleborntreeservice.com/service-areas/caughlin-ranch/defensible-space/) [Northwest Reno and Somersett](https://battleborntreeservice.com/service-areas/northwest-reno/defensible-space/) [the North Valleys and Stead](https://battleborntreeservice.com/service-areas/north-valleys/defensible-space/) [Spanish Springs](https://battleborntreeservice.com/service-areas/spanish-springs/defensible-space/) [Sun Valley](https://battleborntreeservice.com/service-areas/sun-valley/defensible-space/) [Golden Valley](https://battleborntreeservice.com/service-areas/golden-valley/defensible-space/) [Cold Springs](https://battleborntreeservice.com/service-areas/cold-springs/defensible-space/) [Verdi](https://battleborntreeservice.com/service-areas/verdi/defensible-space/) [Washoe Valley](https://battleborntreeservice.com/service-areas/washoe-valley/defensible-space/) [Palomino Valley](https://battleborntreeservice.com/service-areas/palomino-valley/defensible-space/)

## Defensible space and fire mitigation questions in Lemmon Valley

Still have a question? Call [775.232.8243](tel:775.232.8243). Phones are answered seven days a week.

### Why is Lemmon Valley's wildfire rating so high?

The Forest Service model combines how likely fire is with how intense it would be at homes. Lemmon Valley ranks above 99% of US communities on both risk to homes and wildfire likelihood.

### Can I keep my firewood by the door in Lemmon Valley?

The Living With Fire guide says to keep woodpiles out of the first 5 feet around the home. Where you put it is your decision.

### Do you take the wood from trees you remove?

Tell the estimator if you want it left for your own use. The estimate will say what is hauled and what stays.

### How far is your crew from Lemmon Valley?

About 41 miles, about 48 minutes without traffic, from our Carson City yard.