 Every year, hundreds of homes are lost to wildfire, but this home survived a recent firestorm because the owners took the time to create a defensible space. These low-growing plants and well-spaced trees slowed the fire enough to keep it from burning through to the house. You can create a defensible space at your house by using fire-resistant plants and clearing dead brush and dry grass from your property. Be fire safe, California. Fire is a fact of life in California. Every year, hundreds of homes are lost to this destructive force. In a recent firestorm, I was one of the lucky ones. My house survived. But it wasn't all luck. Years ago, I took the time to make my home fire-safe by creating a defensible space and using fire-resistant plants around my house. So plan ahead, be a survivor, be fire-safe, California.