How to prepare your home for wildfire season.

Whether you’re building a new home, making repairs or tackling a renovation project, use materials that have the best chance at resisting fires. Here are some examples of materials you should consider for different areas in and around your house:

Roofing 

Flying embers can set your roof on fire. If possible, don't use wooden shingles or shakes as your roofing material. Instead, opt for concrete, clay, metal or slate. Also, ensure that all your eaves are boxed in and ventilated, and inspect your current roof for repairs or missing pieces that need to be replaced.

Remember that it’s always best to contact a reputable roofing professional to install or replace your roof and make repairs. 

Siding

Choose fire-resistant materials like brick, fiber cement, cement shingles or stucco for your home’s siding. If you have wood siding, treat it with UL-approved fire-retardant chemicals.

Chimney

Use correctly sized wire mesh screen arrestors on your chimneys. If you’re not sure about which specifications to choose, hire a chimney inspection professional. You can also call your local fire department for advice. 

One more tip: if you’re not using the chimney during fire season, close the fireplace flue.

Deck or porch 

Use non-combustible or fire-resistant materials such as metal and fiber cement, if possible. If you’re building a new deck or porch, avoid having any space underneath these structures by building it to the ground. And remember to seal stilts with a non-combustible material like metal or brick. When in doubt, talk to a deck contractor near you about your options. 

Windows

Avoid installing single-pane and large windows. Instead, choose dual- or triple-pane thermal glass windows, shatter-resistant glazing and fire-retardant shutters. You can also purchase fire-retardant drapes.

Fences

If your fencing is located close to your home, try to construct one using non-flammable materials such as metal. 

2. Create three Home Ignition Zones. 

You’ll have a better chance of preventing embers and flames from reaching your home by creating a Home Ignition Zone (HIZ). An ideal HIZ consists of three zones:

• Zone 1: The immediate zone, located 0-5 feet away from your house.
• Zone 2: The intermediate zone, located 5-30 feet away from your home.
• Zone 3: The extended zone, located 30-100 (sometimes 200) feet away from your home.

In Zone 1, prioritize removing combustible, flammable materials that are close to your structure. Zone 2 is where you focus on maintaining your landscaping, such as keeping your grass 4 inches high or lower and clearing the vegetation. And in Zone 3, you’ll continue to thin out the vegetation so you can slow down and interrupt a wildfire that’s nearing your home. 

Visit the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) website and read Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) “Home Builder’s Guide to Construction in Wildfire Zones” for more detailed instructions on what to do in every zone.

3. Maintain your outdoor area and landscaping features.

Grass, wood, brush and other types of vegetation in your yard can be extremely flammable. Luckily, there are many things you can do to your yard to reduce your fire risk:

• Trim tree branches that are close to your home, porch or deck. 
• If you have plants that contain wax or resins, it's best to remove them. 
• Plant low-maintenance vegetation that is slow-growing, drought-resistant, non-invasive and wind-resistant. 
• Remove vines from your exterior walls. 
• Create “firebreaks” in your yard by installing hardscape features, such as paved walkways and concrete patios.
• Opt for stone or gravel instead of mulch in Zone 1.
• Choose patio furniture that’s made out of non-combustible materials, such as metal.
• Install garden hoses that can reach your home and other structures.
• Place propane tanks and gas grills at least 15 feet away from your home (and put a mesh screen over the grill). The farther away, the better.
• Remove flammable furniture covers, cushions, papers and brooms. In fact, try to store any combustible materials in fire-resistant containers and place them away from your home.

4. Clean your home’s exterior and make repairs.

During wildfire season, stay on top of basic home maintenance — especially around your home’s exterior. Here are some maintenance tips from the NFPA and FEMA that can help you protect your home:

• Clean your roof and gutters. Get rid of debris and fallen foliage like leaves and pine needles, which are combustible. You can also contact your nearest gutter cleaning service if you’re pressed for time.
• Fix and replace broken windows. Also, fix any window screens that have become loose.
• Remove items that are under your deck, patio or porch. This includes leaves, trash and other combustible materials. Also, use wire mesh below these structures to prevent these materials from accumulating.
• Keep flammable materials away from your exterior walls. Firewood, mulch, leaves — all of these items should be placed far away from your home.
• Remove debris from your exterior attic vents. You should also install metal mesh screening over attic vents, soffit vents and louvers. Don’t use fiberglass or plastic mesh; these materials can melt.

5. Ensure fire and emergency vehicles can access your property.

Review your local government codes to figure out if your driveway will allow fire department vehicles to access your property with ease. And if you have any gates on your property, make sure they open inward. Your gates should also be big enough for emergency vehicles to pass through. 

Lastly, get rid of any obstructions that may block emergency responders from accessing your property. This may mean getting rid of fallen trees or trimming overhanging branches that are blocking the road or driveway.

6. Keep emergency supplies handy.

In the event of an evacuation, it’s imperative to have an emergency kit. Safely store all essential documents, including medical records, identification documents and health insurance policies. Include items such as flashlights, tinned food and bottled water, and a first aid kit in your emergency kit. Always include some clothing, toiletries and medication as well. 

Don’t forget to pack batteries and your mobile device chargers. It's important to store masks and respirators in your home, but don’t forget to put some in your emergency kit, too.

7. Create a “clean room.”

What in the world is a clean room? Simply put, it’s a designated room inside your home that can keep smoke levels and harmful particles to a minimum. If it’s safe to stay indoors during a wildfire, you can retreat to this room and reduce your exposure to smoke. 

It’s important to note that there should be no cooking or smoking in your clean room, and all doors and windows must be closed. You can put a portable air cleaner in the room, and you should keep the room as cool as possible via your HVAC or by utilizing fans. However, turn off your HVAC system’s fresh air option if your system brings in air from the outside. You might have to close the intake as well.

For more tips on how to create a clean room, visit the EPA website.

Hire pros on Thumbtack to prepare for wildfire season.

Thumbtack pros can help you get your home ready for wildfire season. Roofers, landscapers, lawn care professionals, tree trimmers — there are many pros who can tackle numerous wildfire preparation projects in and outside your house.

And for additional home safety tips, talk to a Thumbtack home guide specialist. During a 30-minute video consultation, specialists can provide recommendations on how to create a safer home and avoid costly repairs. Book your consultation today, so you can have peace of mind.

Additional sources: 

• Cal Fire, “Hardening Your Home”
• FEMA, “Avoiding Wildfire Damage: A Checklist for Homeowners”
• NFPA, “How to Prepare Your Home for Wildfires”