4) HARDEN

Home-hardening is vital to your home’s survival in a wildfire-prone environment, as explained in this BLM video. We also offer a video series that walks you through the basics of home hardening in short, digestible steps. Wind-borne embers are the leading cause of home ignition in wildfires, so important steps include:

• make sure your roof is fire-resistant and in good repair

• keep the roof and gutters free of flammable debris

• seal gaps that could allow embers into your structure – for example, make sure all vents are covered with fire-resistant 1/8″ mesh

• have double-pane and/or tempered-glass windows

• make sure that decks and fences do not provide an easy path for fire to reach and ignite your home.

Depending on the design of your home, how close it is to other structures, and other variables, additional steps may also be important for your specific location. Educate yourself with the videos linked above.