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Clear cutting space behind your house actually INCREASES wildfire risk. Performing green belt fuel mitigation and shaded fuel breaks must be done correctly. Fire Chief Robert B. Abbott – Lake Travis Fire Rescue
STOP: Homeowners are 100% responsible and subject to fines for violating any of these guidelines, even if performed by a 3rd party or tree service. (see example of BCP fines)
NO ONE is allowed to cut in the Travis County Balcones Canyonlands Preserve (view interactive map)
Do NOT cut in adjacent private, commercial or school district owned property (view interactive map)
Do NOT "clear cut" in greenbelts, which actually INCREASES wildfire risks (view City of Austin "Role of Residents")
BEFORE YOU START, get free, professional advice from Lake Travis Fire Rescue (click to schedule an assessment)
Note: Steiner Firewise will not be held responsible for violations of these guidelines. This content has been sourced from wildfire industry experts, including Lake Travis Fire Rescue, US Forestry Service, Texas A&M Forestry, National Fire Protection Association (Firewise), Travis County, City of Austin and other resources. Use at your own risk.
What is a shaded fuel break? A shaded fuel break (SFB) is a strategically managed area within a forested landscape adjacent to homes where vegetation is thinned and modified to slow the spread of wildfires while maintaining the existing tree canopy. This form of fuel reduction aims to create a safer environment for both firefighters and communities.
Step 1 - Talk to your neighbors, organize your street:
Discuss the project with your neighbors—fuel breaks are most effective when everyone participates.
Agree on how much brush to remove between homes or near trails.
Address privacy concerns upfront as a group.
Step 2 - Understand how to cut a shaded fuel break:
How Illustrated Guide: How to create a shaded fuel break (pdf) is an illustrated guide full of Do's, Don'ts, How To's & Best practices.
You must follow these guidelines closely for best results and to avoid HOA or Travis County BCP fines (e.g. do not clear cut!).
Step 3 - Get FREE professional advice from LTFR:
Click here to schedule a Home Ignition Zone (HIZ) Assessment with Lake Travis Fire Rescue or a trained Steiner Firewise volunteer. Assessments are confidential and usually take less than an hour.
Step 4 (SRMA only) - Get HOA permission
Submit a SRMA Architectural Modification Application Form
Not required for SRROA: Chaparral, Hancock Hill, Mesa North, Plateau, Rocky Ridge, Summit or Valley at East Ridge - but fines will still apply for violating these guidelines.
Contact UT Golf Club and The Reserve for their policies
Step 5 - Cut a shaded fuel break 20-30 feet behind your back fence line:
Carefully follow the cutting guidelines in Step 2 above
Watch Lake Travis Fire Rescue video on shaded fuel breaks
See a list of homeowner recommended tree services on our Facebook Group page.
LTFR and Steiner Firewise volunteers are available to advise you during your project.
Step 6 - Remove all debris (chip or haul away):
Make sure you have a plan before you start cutting.
Free brush drop off is available at Austin Water’s Hornsby Bend Biosolids Management Plant (2210 FM 973, Austin, TX) 8 a.m.– 3 p.m., Monday–Saturday.
Texas Disposal Systems bulk pickup accepts limbs and tree branches. See rules/limits on page 3 of TDS Bulk Pickup Guide (pdf).
Consider hiring a tree service or using a roll off container.
Step 7 (SRMA only) - Tell the SRMA HOA Architectural Committee you're done: Complete SRMA architectural committee inspection of your work.
WATCH THESE VIDEOS
Shaded Fuel Virtual Tour (3 mins by LTFR)
LTFRCitizensWeb1080.mp4Plateau greenbelt project before and after video.
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