Wildfire Home Protection: Harden Your Home | Rotary Wildfire Ready

Embers are the #1 Threat to Your Home

Most homes do not ignite from direct contact with flames. 90% of homes are destroyed indirectly by wind-borne embers carried ahead of a wildfire. Embers can glow as hot as the fire from which they arise, and are light enough to be carried by the wind for long distances without being extinguished. Embers are the primary reason properties go up in flames whenever a wildfire is nearby.

Harden Your Home

“Home Hardening” is the process of preparing your home for the dangers posed by wildfires by proactively safeguarding its most vulnerable components and retrofitting them with fire-resistant building materials.

Things You Can Do to Harden Your Home

#1 : Roof
Your roof is the most vulnerable part of your home. Homes with wood shake roofs are particularly at high risk of being destroyed during a wildfire.

Build your roof or re-roof with Class A fire-rated materials
Replace or repair any loose or missing roof tiles to prevent ember penetration
Remove plant debris; such as pine needles, leaves and branches from the roof

#2 : Vents & Chimneys
Vents on your home create openings for flying embers.

Cover all vents with 1/8” metal mesh - laundry vents should have flapper closures
Install an approved spark arrestor on your chimney
Protect eaves or cornices with baffles to block embers

#3: Windows & Skylights
Heat from a wildfire can cause windows and skylights to break even before the home ignites – allowing burning embers to enter and start fires inside. Single-pane windows in particular can easily break from heat exposure.

Install double-pane windows, with one-pane of tempered glass
Replace plastic skylights with types constructed of double-pane glass
Repair or replace damaged or loose window screens and broken windows

#4: Decks
Decks should be built with ignition-resistant, non-combustible materials.

Remove flammable materials (such as firewood & debris) stored underneath your deck
Install metal flashing between the deck and house where windblown embers can collect.
If a wildfire threatens, place combustible patio furniture and cushions inside your house or garage

#5: Gutters
Debris in your gutters is a key source of ignition in an ember fire.

Routinely remove debris from your gutters
Screen or enclose gutters to prevent any accumulation
Use metal gutters, not plastic

Maintain a Five-Foot Non-Combustible Zone Around Your Home

Research shows that creation and maintenance of a 5 foot noncombustible area around your home is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your home from embers. Wind-blown embers can accumulate at the base of an exterior wall and ignite combustible debris around your home. To keep fire away from your home, maintain a five foot zone around your foundation.

Remove flammable materials and replace with gravel, rock mulch or other nonflammable materials.
Remove dead plant materials that have accumulated such as leaves, pine needles and twigs
Remove all flammable vegetation (like Juniper)
Remove wood mulch or woodpiles near your home