When building, repairing, or remodeling your home, aim for fire-resistance. If your home is currently at high risk, consider making changes now to make it less likely to burn should there be a wildfire nearby. Even if the fire does not make it to your property, the embers can carry a very long distance and catch your house on fire. With the proper precautions, the fire may even come through your property and leave your home untouched.
- Use roof material such as composition, tile, slate, or metal. If you must have wood shingles, or shakes, make sure they are pressure treated.
- Cover vents with fine wire mesh.
- Enclose eaves, soffits, and other openings.
- Keep roof and gutters free of leaves and pine needles. Screen or enclose them so debris does not accumulate.
- Windows should be double paned, with one pane made of tempered glass, so they are less likely to shatter from the heat of a wildfire and let embers in.
- Use fireproof shutters for large windows and glass doors.
- Use weather stripping around doors and your garage door to keep embers from blowing in.
- Any wood such as siding, decks, and posts, should be treated with fire-retardant.
- Patio covers and car ports should also be made of fire-resistant materials.
- Make sure that your driveway is wide enough to accommodate emergency vehicles and free from flammable vegetation.
- Gates should open inward, and be wide enough for emergency vehicles to pass through.
- The entrance to your property should be clearly marked with your address, and easily readable from the road.
- Consider installing fire sprinklers in your home.
- Keep a fire extinguisher, rake, shovel, hoe, and bucket handy.
- Have multiple water hoses, and make sure they are long enough to reach all areas of your home and all structures.
- If you have a fence, use fire resistant or noncombustible fencing materials.
- Create 100 feet of defensible space around your home and all structures.
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