A Checklist for Homeowners
Use this homeowner’s checklist to learn what you can do to harden your home against wildfires. Contact your local fire department, forestry office, emergency management office, or building department for information about local fire laws, building codes, and available protection measures.
Learn about the history of wildfires in your area. Be aware of recent weather. A long period without rain increases the risk of wildfire. Consider having a professional inspect your property and offer recommendations for reducing the wildfire risk. Determine your community’s ability to respond to wildfires. Are roads leading to your property marked? Are the roads wide enough to allow firefighting equipment to get through? Is your house number visible from the roadside?
All vegetation is fuel for a wildfire, though some trees and shrubs are more flammable than others. To reduce the risk, you will need to modify or eliminate brush, trees, and other vegetation near your home. Create a 30-foot safety zone around the house. The greater the distance between your home and the vegetation, the greater the protection.
Identify all combustible materials outside the house. Stack firewood 100 feet away and uphill from the house. Keep the gas grill and propane tank at least 15 feet from the house. Clear an area 15 feet around the grill. Place a 1/4 inch mesh screen over the grill.
Any attic vent, soffit vent, louver, or other opening can allow embers and flaming debris to enter a home and ignite it. Cover all openings with 1/4 inch or smaller corrosion-resistant wire mesh. If you’re designing louvers, place them on the vertical wall rather than the soffit of the overhang.