About This Research
In a wildfire, homes ignite through a complex mix of ember attack and direct flame exposure. This research explains why no single hardening measure can fully protect a building and why a two-tiered, system-based approach is essential. Drawing on the latest science, the paper outlines strategies that provide foundational protection against embers and add a critical second layer to guard against flames. Together, these actions form a comprehensive defense against home ignition.
What You’ll Learn
Wildland Fire Embers and Flames: Home Mitigations That Matter explores how different components of a home—from roofs, vents, and decks to fences, walls, and nearby vegetation—either resist or contribute to wildfire spread. Readers will learn which construction materials and design features most effectively reduce ignition risk, how maintaining a 0–5 foot noncombustible “Zone 0” acts as an ember barrier, and why accessory structures must be hardened to the same standard as the main building. This systematic, research-based guidance helps homeowners, builders, and communities apply science-backed mitigations that work together to make structures more wildfire resilient.
