Home hardening: reduce ignition risk
– Roof and vents: Replace or cover old roofing with Class A materials when possible and install ember-resistant vents.
Spark arrestors on chimneys help stop embers from igniting nearby foliage.
– Siding, decks and gutters: Use noncombustible or ignition-resistant siding and deck materials, and keep gutters clear of debris. Metal gutters and screened under-deck areas decrease fuel for fire.
– Windows and doors: Close-fitting, multi-pane windows and metal frames resist heat better than single-pane glass. Seal gaps around doors and eaves to limit ember entry.
– Defensible space: Create layered defensible space by removing flammable materials from immediately around the house, reducing fuel in the mid-zone with trimmed vegetation and spacing trees, and maintaining more open, thinned areas farther out. Focus on creating a noncombustible zone directly adjacent to structures.
Landscape choices that resist fire
– Plant selection: Favor low-resin, well-irrigated species and maintain a lean, green landscape. Avoid dense, continuous shrubs that can transfer flames to structures.
– Maintenance: Prune tree branches up off the ground, remove ladder fuels, and regularly clear dead material.
Store firewood and combustible items well away from the home.
Preparedness and planning
– Evacuation readiness: Have a family evacuation plan, multiple escape routes, and an emergency kit with important documents, medications, water, and a spare mask for smoke. Practice the plan so everyone knows where to meet and what to take.
– Communication: Sign up for local emergency alerts, follow county evacuation maps, and coordinate with neighbors for check-ins and mutual aid.
– Insurance review: Make sure homeowners and renters policies cover wildfire-related loss and loss-of-use expenses. Document possessions with photos or video and keep copies offsite or in the cloud.
Community-level solutions
– Fuel management: Support neighborhood and municipal projects that thin dense forests, remove ladder fuels, and create defensible fuel breaks.
Strategic vegetation treatments reduce fire intensity and help firefighters. Prescribed burns, when conducted under safe conditions by trained crews, restore natural fire regimes and lower hazardous fuel loads.
– Firewise communities: Organize or join community programs that assess hazards, prioritize improvements, and implement mitigation projects. Collective action amplifies individual home hardening efforts.
– Infrastructure and access: Advocate for clear evacuation routes, defensible public spaces, and resilient utility infrastructure. Coordinated pre-incident planning with fire agencies improves response times and safety.
Health and air quality
– Indoor air: Use HEPA air purifiers and keep windows and doors closed during smoke episodes. Portable air cleaners can dramatically reduce indoor particle levels.
– Respiratory protection: Keep N95 or similar respirators available for outdoor exposure when smoke is heavy, especially for children, older adults, and people with respiratory conditions.
Resources and assistance
State and local forestry and emergency management agencies offer guides, grant programs, and technical assistance for home hardening and community projects.
Fire districts often provide inspections and recommendations.
Start by contacting local fire officials to learn about programs and volunteer opportunities.
Taking proactive steps now—both at the house level and as a community—builds resilience and reduces wildfire impacts. Small investments in defensible space, construction details, and planning make a measurable difference when fires threaten.