Wildfires are becoming more frequent, more intense, and reaching communities that have never faced this threat before. Whether you're in a designated fire zone or not, understanding how wildfires spread — and how homes ignite — is the first step to protection.
Understanding Wildfire Risk
Ember Cast
Burning embers travel up to a mile ahead of the fire line, landing on roofs, in gutters, and through vents.
Wind-Driven Fire
Strong winds accelerate fire spread dramatically. A fire can move faster than a person can run in high winds.
Structure Ignition
Homes ignite from embers entering through vents, gutters full of debris, and combustible materials touching the structure.
Rapid Spread
Under the right conditions, wildfires can double in size every minute. Early evacuation is always safer than waiting.
Protecting Your Home
1. Defensible Space
Defensible space is the buffer between your home and the vegetation that could fuel a wildfire. It's the single most effective thing you can do to protect your home — and it costs nothing but time.
Lean, Clean & Green
- Remove all dead plants, grass, and leaves
- Keep grass mowed to 4 inches or less
- Remove branches within 10 feet of chimney
- Move woodpiles outside this zone
- Space plants so fire can't easily travel between them
Reduce Fuel
- Cut or remove shrubs in irregular patterns
- Create spacing between trees — 10 feet minimum
- Remove dead wood, branches, and debris
- Trim tree branches up 6–10 feet from ground
- Mow grass regularly during dry season
2. Home Hardening
Home hardening means making your structure itself more resistant to ignition. Most wildfire home losses are preventable with the right materials and maintenance.
Roof
The roof is the most vulnerable part of your home in a wildfire. Class A fire-rated roofing materials (metal, tile, asphalt shingles) are the minimum for fire-prone areas. Keep gutters clear of debris year-round.
Vents
Attic and foundation vents are the primary entry point for burning embers. Replace standard vents with ember-resistant or intumescent vents that automatically close when exposed to heat.
Windows & Doors
Single-pane windows can shatter from radiant heat before the fire even reaches your home. Dual-pane or tempered glass significantly improves resistance. Seal gaps around doors and windows.
Deck & Siding
Combustible wood decks attached to homes are a leading ignition point. Replace with composite decking, stone, or concrete pavers. Fiber cement or stucco siding outperforms wood significantly.
Home Hardening Products
Brandguard Ember & Fire Resistant Vent
Replaces standard vents with ember-resistant mesh. Keeps burning embers from entering your attic — one of the highest-ROI wildfire upgrades.
Ready Defense Deck & Fence Spray
Fire-retardant spray for wood decks, fences, and siding. Creates a barrier that slows ignition significantly. Apply before fire season.
3. Evacuation Planning
The most important wildfire decision you'll make is when to leave. Leaving early — before a mandatory order — is always safer. Roads become gridlocked during mandatory evacuations, and fire can move faster than traffic.
Find your zone at ready.gov/wildfires. Know multiple routes out of your neighborhood.
Decide in advance: "If a fire is reported within X miles, we leave immediately." Write it down. Don't make this decision under stress.
Documents, medications, chargers, cash, clothing for 3 days, and pet supplies. Keep it near the door during fire season.
Register for your county's emergency alert system. Enable wireless emergency alerts on your phone. Don't rely on seeing smoke.
4. Air Quality Protection
Wildfire smoke is dangerous long before flames reach your area. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from smoke can travel hundreds of miles and cause serious respiratory harm.
- Check AQI at airnow.gov — stay inside when AQI exceeds 150
- Run an air purifier with a HEPA filter during smoke events
- Keep windows and doors closed — use weatherstripping to seal gaps
- Set HVAC to recirculate, not fresh air intake
- Wear an N95 mask if you must go outside
- Have 72 hours of supplies so you don't need to leave during peak smoke
Air Quality Products
Coway AP-1512HH HEPA Air Purifier
Covers up to 360 sq ft. True HEPA filter captures 99.97% of particles including wildfire smoke. Four-stage filtration.
3M Aura N95 Particulate Respirator
NIOSH-approved N95 protection against wildfire smoke. More comfortable than standard N95s. Pack of 10.
Free Wildfire Home Protection Checklist
Defensible space tasks, home hardening checklist, go-bag packing list, and evacuation planning guide — all in one download.