Fire needs three elements to occur: fuel, oxygen and heat. Remove any one of them and the fire will die out. Fuel is defined as anything that can burn. Many fires start from a single ember that lands on a fuel source. The reduction of fuel sources around a structure can greatly increase the chance that it will survive a wildfire. Benton County or the Oregon Department of Forestry will provide a free home site evaluation of defensible space upon request, as well as trainings for groups.