How to Protect Your Home From Wildfire
Find out how to fortify your property and protect yourself during wildfires
This time of year, wind-driven wildfires can break out where abundant grasses and brush have baked dry after the long, hot summer, often igniting homes that border wildlands. Such fire events predominate in the western U.S., but wildfires can be a threat to many residential areas that are close to open spaces with an excess of dry vegetation. Residents of these areas should consider their homes potential fuel sources for wildfire and take appropriate measures to protect their property.
In general, keep a space measuring 30 feet from your house free of flammable vegetation, leaf litter and excess brush. Homes on larger lots in wildfire-prone areas should have a fuel break of 30 to 70 feet, according to Utah State Forestry Extension. Vegetation in that zone should be low-growing, fire-resistant and preferably native. Recommendations vary by region. In California, homeowners in wildland-adjacent areas are required to have a defensible space of 100 feet. The Institute for Business & Home Safety has online regional guides with wildfire risk-assessment checklists and guidelines for property owners.
Create a fire-safe garden
Create a fire-safe garden
Soldiers from the California Army National Guard conduct search and debris-clearing operations in Paradise, California, in November 2018, following the deadly Camp Fire. U.S. Air National Guard photo by Crystal Housman
Remove Fuel Sources
You can reduce the chance of a fire reaching your house by keeping the exterior clean and uncluttered. The National Fire Protection Association recommends clearing leaf litter, pine needles and other debris from gutters at least twice a year. Eliminate weeds around propane tanks and remove tree branches that hang over a roof. Keep lumber piles away from the house. Remove debris from decks, including pine needles and other litter from between deck boards.
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Remove Fuel Sources
You can reduce the chance of a fire reaching your house by keeping the exterior clean and uncluttered. The National Fire Protection Association recommends clearing leaf litter, pine needles and other debris from gutters at least twice a year. Eliminate weeds around propane tanks and remove tree branches that hang over a roof. Keep lumber piles away from the house. Remove debris from decks, including pine needles and other litter from between deck boards.
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Aerial view of homes burnt to the ground by wildfires in Santa Rosa, California, in October 2017. Army National Guard photo by Capt. Will Martin
Protect Your Home’s Entry Points
A wildfire’s embers can travel on the wind for a great distance and enter a home through windows and vents, igniting combustible materials inside a home. The National Fire Protection Association says you can reduce the size and number of embers that pass through vents into attics and crawl spaces by covering the vents with a noncombustible one-eighth-inch metal mesh screen. In addition, when wildfires threaten, vents can be covered with half-inch or thinner plywood or a thin metal plate that should be removed when the threat has passed.
Protect Your Home’s Entry Points
A wildfire’s embers can travel on the wind for a great distance and enter a home through windows and vents, igniting combustible materials inside a home. The National Fire Protection Association says you can reduce the size and number of embers that pass through vents into attics and crawl spaces by covering the vents with a noncombustible one-eighth-inch metal mesh screen. In addition, when wildfires threaten, vents can be covered with half-inch or thinner plywood or a thin metal plate that should be removed when the threat has passed.
Burned-out cars and chimney stacks in Santa Rosa, California, on Oct. 14, 2017, after wildfires spread across Sonoma County. Army National Guard photo by Capt. Will Martin
Strengthen Vulnerable Areas
Your home’s roof, eaves and windows are particularly vulnerable to wildfire. As the largest horizontal space on a house, the roof is the most vulnerable. Floating embers can gather on a roof and enter eaves. A roof fire-rated as Class A is composed of materials such as stone, slate, concrete or asphalt composition shingles and recommended for homes in fire-prone areas, according to the National Fire Protection Association.
Strengthen Vulnerable Areas
Your home’s roof, eaves and windows are particularly vulnerable to wildfire. As the largest horizontal space on a house, the roof is the most vulnerable. Floating embers can gather on a roof and enter eaves. A roof fire-rated as Class A is composed of materials such as stone, slate, concrete or asphalt composition shingles and recommended for homes in fire-prone areas, according to the National Fire Protection Association.
Extreme heat from a wildfire can break a single-pane window. The University of California Cooperative Extension recommends upgrading single-pane windows to those with multipane tempered glass, which distributes the heat load and provides a second layer of protection if the first pane fails.
The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety also advises using window screens, which reduce radiant heat from fire and help prevent ember entry. Open eaves are vulnerable to wildfire embers. Any gaps around rafter roof tails should be plugged or caulked and, if possible, create a boxed-in or soffited eave to resist ember infiltration.
The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety also advises using window screens, which reduce radiant heat from fire and help prevent ember entry. Open eaves are vulnerable to wildfire embers. Any gaps around rafter roof tails should be plugged or caulked and, if possible, create a boxed-in or soffited eave to resist ember infiltration.
The Thomas Fire burns in Ventura County, California, in December 2017. Photo from U.S. Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region 5
Have a Plan
If the time comes to escape from a wildfire, have an evacuation plan in place. FEMA recommends that families practice who will do what in an emergency, and how you will communicate. Make a list of what to grab on your way out, such as: important documents; an emergency kit with supplies for basic survival, including medical items, toiletries and disinfectant, candles, matches, a manual can opener, batteries and a flashlight; and a “go bag” with a few items for each family member, including extra eyeglasses, if needed. Make sure the kit and bag are in a closet or stored near one of the home’s entries or exits.
If you have pets, keep in mind that evacuation centers don’t often allow them, says the Humane Society of Ventura County in Southern California. Find out in advance which animal shelters and rescue facilities take pets in the event of an emergency.
How to Prepare Your Family for a Natural Disaster
Have a Plan
If the time comes to escape from a wildfire, have an evacuation plan in place. FEMA recommends that families practice who will do what in an emergency, and how you will communicate. Make a list of what to grab on your way out, such as: important documents; an emergency kit with supplies for basic survival, including medical items, toiletries and disinfectant, candles, matches, a manual can opener, batteries and a flashlight; and a “go bag” with a few items for each family member, including extra eyeglasses, if needed. Make sure the kit and bag are in a closet or stored near one of the home’s entries or exits.
If you have pets, keep in mind that evacuation centers don’t often allow them, says the Humane Society of Ventura County in Southern California. Find out in advance which animal shelters and rescue facilities take pets in the event of an emergency.
How to Prepare Your Family for a Natural Disaster
When Fire Is Imminent
If you have time before evacuating, there are a few things you can do to help firefighters who are defending your home.
The University of California Cooperative Extension advises homeowners to turn lights on outside and in every room so the house is more visible in heavy smoke. Close windows, doors, vents and fireplace screens. Move flammable furniture into the center of the home, away from windows and sliding glass doors, and remove curtains and window treatments. Outside, move furniture off your deck and gas grill tanks away from the house.
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If you have time before evacuating, there are a few things you can do to help firefighters who are defending your home.
The University of California Cooperative Extension advises homeowners to turn lights on outside and in every room so the house is more visible in heavy smoke. Close windows, doors, vents and fireplace screens. Move flammable furniture into the center of the home, away from windows and sliding glass doors, and remove curtains and window treatments. Outside, move furniture off your deck and gas grill tanks away from the house.
More on Houzz
Read more stories about preparing for a disaster
Find a contractor for home projects
Shop for home safety and security products
There are generally three ways wildfire can ignite a home: direct contact with flames, via radiant heat, and from embers that travel for miles, according to the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety. Here are some ways to fortify your property against wildfire and make your home more resistant if it does catch fire, as well as what to do if a wildfire is threatening.
Defend the Space Around Your Home
Fire experts recommend creating zones around your house that can slow a fire’s advance, or possibly direct it around your home and provide space for firefighters to defend your home in the event of a wildfire.
How to Protect Your Home From a Natural Disaster