If so, their actions are senseless. The property dimensions, house location, remaining trees and veg, adjoining timberlands all make what they have done useless so far as defensible space goes.
I don't think they are that clueless. They are moving from a rural property that was very close to burning in the 2020 fires that had M and me evac to our friends' home for more than a week. These people are smart, and experienced with wildfire.
Something else is at play here, my gut tells me. I'm sure we will find out in due course. It's not my way to interrogate new neighbors as to their intentions right out of the box. We need to get to know them a bit more.