How to Protect Your Home From Wildfires

If you live in an area prone to wildfires, protecting your home and property is essential. Here are some tips to help safeguard your space and practice routine maintenance. Make sure to check with your local fire department for guidance on fireproofing your home based on your area's fire risks and building codes.

Create a Safe Zone Around Your Property

When a fire happens in your neighborhood, direct flames, flying embers or burning objects can threaten your home and yard. That’s why you need to be vigilant to eliminate or minimize vegetation that might fuel a fire. Remove dead foliage, pine needles, trees and debris from around your property. Plant native vegetation and trees that are 10 feet apart. Regularly prune trees and bushes. Keep your woodpile at least 30 feet from your home. If you live in a rural area, create a 100-foot perimeter to separate your property from woods or fields.

Make sure you have a water source, such as a cistern or rain barrels, to combat fire threats. If you have a swimming pool, firefighters can use a gas-fired firehose to battle flames.

Protect Your Roof

Keep your home safe by installing fire-resistant shingles. When replacing your roof, consider upgrading to Class A materials such as clay or slate tiles, metal roofing or asphalt shingles with a fire-retardant coating. Class A roofs typically cost 20%–40% more than standard ones. Seal gaps under roof tiles and shingles to block embers. Cover chimney and stove pipe outlets with a non-flammable screen. Install metal mesh over vents.

Maintain Your Gutters

Gutters are a direct pathway to your roof. If an ember makes its way into a gutter, debris can ignite and spread to your home. Establish a routine to remove twigs, leaves and other debris. Consider installing gutter guards.

Install Fire-Resistant Windows

Fire-resistant windows are designed to withstand high temperatures and keep fire and smoke from spreading. Experts recommend installing double-paned, tempered glass and steel frames. For high-risk areas, professionally installed, fire-rated windows that are certified and tested are necessary. Fire-resistant windows are usually twice as expensive as regular ones but are often a requirement in high-risk areas.

Fireproof Your Walls

Use ignition-resistant materials for walls, such as stucco, fiber cement or specially treated wood.

Fireplace Flue

Keep the fireplace flue closed during wildfire season.

Fortifying Your Deck

When building, use fire-resistant materials like composite. Establish a routine to clear out flammable debris underneath your deck. If your deck extends over a slope, create a defensible space below it.

Make Your Address Visible From the Street

Clear away any obstructions and ensure your address number is visible so emergency responders can identify it quickly.

These Home Improvements Matter

When considering the havoc a wildfire can cause, having a checklist of home maintenance and improvements will help you manage tasks and prioritize expenses. There are simple things you can do now that won’t cost that much. Other projects you’ll have to budget for. Performing regular maintenance will go a long way in protecting your home and property.

                                                                Fire-Smart Projects