HOUSE

The roof is the most vulnerable component of your home! During a wildfire it must be able to resist wind-blown embers and other wildfire exposures. Complex roofs, where the roof meets vertical walls and/or includes dormers, present additional vulnerabilities. Replacing a roof is a major project, but it can yield major benefits. Evaluating the vulnerability of the roof should be a top priority when considering a new home or remodeling an existing property. Proper roof maintenance is critical to reduce the ignition risk of your home!

Gutters are a often a place for combustible debris to accumulate. Cleaning and maintaining the gutters will reduce ignition risk. Leaf guards and gutters should therefore be checked regularly and debris removed if necessary

Windborne embers, convective heat, and radiant heat can be trapped under overhangs and in the upper portion of exterior walls. It is important to remove combustible items and maintain an ember-resistance zone around the overhangs. Overhangs and walls can ignite if not constructed of noncombustible or fire-resistant materials.

Embers and hot gases from nearby vegetation or buildings can be blown or pulled into the openings and enter attic spaces, crawlspaces, ductwork, potentially leading to ignition from the inside of the building. Simple maintenance steps can help reduce vulnerability to wildfires.

Windows, sliding glass doors, and skylights are key structure components to prevent ignition of the interior of your home because of intrusion of windborne embers, hot gases and radiant heat. You can reduce your ignition risk by following these recommendations for maintenance.

If you cannot afford to replace your doors and windows, it is even more important to carefully manage and maintain the vegetation closest to your home. This includes both vegetation and combustible materials such as firewood and lumber. Avoid storing combustible materials near your home or business. A noncombustible rock-type mulch should be used in the area immediately adjacent to your home or business.

Exterior walls are susceptible to wildfire flames, conductive heat, and radiant heat. Flames and heat can ignite combustible wall coverings. When exterior walls ignite, the fire can spread to other components of the building such as the roof, soffit, windows, and doors, resulting in substantial damage to or total loss of the building. Windborne embers and firebrands are also sources of ignition. Embers can become trapped in cracks in walls, window openings, and door trim boards and ignite combustible materials.

Landscape fencing and walls that are attached to or near buildings in wildfire zones can represent a high ignition risk by spreading flames or radiant heat from one building to another. Follow the guidelines presented here to reduce potential damage.

To minimize the possibility of deck ignitions, reduce fuels in the home ignition zones by carefully selecting and positioning vegetation and implementing regular maintenance.

Defensive actions can potentially help your home survive a wildfire. These actions are in addition to creating and maintaining defensible space on your property and selection of appropriate building materials listed on this website.