Prepare and Protect Your Home from Wildfire

• Maintain your roof and gutters by regularly removing all debris, including leaves and pine needles.
• Replace a wood shake or wood shingle roof with a Class A fire-resistant-rated roof cover. Class A-rated roof covers include most asphalt shingles, tile, slate, and metal roofs.
• Replace domed, plastic skylights with flat, multipaned, tempered glass skylights.
• Replace plastic gutters with metal gutters such as aluminum.

• Install ember-resistant vents or cover existing vents with 1/8-inch metal wire mesh.
• Ensure your metal dryer vent has a louver or flap to reduce ember entry. Due to its design and function, wire mesh should not be used on dryer vents.
• Clean vent screens periodically by removing accumulated debris.
• Install spark arrestors with ½-inch mesh screening at the outlet of all chimneys.

• Ensure there is a minimum of 6 vertical inches (measured from the ground up and from any attached horizontal surface like a deck) of noncombustible siding material, such as fiber-cement, brick, stone, stucco, or exposed concrete foundation.

• On top of the deck or on the porch:
  • Maintain your deck by regularly clearing vegetative debris.
  • Remove combustible furniture, including wood or plastic furniture.
  • Remove large combustible rugs and planters.
  • Choose noncombustible furniture such as cast aluminum or metal furniture.
  • Ensure any items like cushions or door mats are small enough to easily be moved inside on Red Flag days.
• Underneath the deck:
  • Remove anything stored under the deck or stairs.
  • Remove all vegetation—including grass or weeds—from under the deck and stairs.
• For decks 4 feet or less (measured from the the ground to the walking surface).
  • Enclose the area underneath to keep debris and embers out by:
    • Installing 1/8-inch or finer metal wire mesh around the outer edge of the walking surface extending to the ground, or
    • Installing a noncombustible wall covering.

It is crucial to establish a clear, noncombustible zone that extends 5 feet out from the exterior walls of your home or any nearby structures. This noncombustible area should also be created around attached decks, patios, covered porches and stairs. By implementing this zone, you can significantly reduce potential for ignition.

• Remove all vegetation, grass, weeds, shrubs, plants, trees, etc.
  • Remove wood mulch, pine straw, rubber mulch, or other combustible ground covers.
  • Trim back branches that overhang the 5-foot area.
  • Do not allow vines to grow on buildings, fences, or other structures within 5 feet of the building.
  • Remove all vegetation and groundcover in the first 5 feet
• Install 5-feet of hardscape around your home
  • Install hard groundcover material such as gravel, pavers, river rocks, steppingstones, or concrete.
  • Install 5 feet of hard groundcover surrounding any decks or covered porches, including under the stairs.
• Replace combustible fencing within 5 feet
  • Replace any wood or plastic fencing and gates located within 5 feet of the home with a noncombustible fence, such as metal (aluminum or chain link).
• Maintain the 5-foot Noncombustible Zone
  • Routinely clear tree debris, weeds, grass, and dead plant material.
  • Do not park or store any vehicles, boats, RVs, or ATVs within 5 feet of the home. Ideally, store these items in a closed garage or park them at least 30 feet away from the home.
  • Do not store anything combustible such as firewood, potted plants, outdoor furniture, trash cans, pet houses, lawn tools, children’s playsets, etc., in this zone.

• Maintain the yard
  • Cut grass to at most 4 inches and keep watered.
  • Routinely clear tree debris such as leaves and pine needles. Make sure areas around fences and underneath gates are clear of debris, as this is another area where embers can collect.
  • Remove dead vegetation, including piles from pruning and firewood.
  • Firewood should be stored 30 feet from any structures and/or cover it with a fire-resistant cover.
• Trim trees
  • Remove tree branches less than 6 feet above the ground.
  • Trim upper branches of trees to ensure at least 10 feet of space between the canopies of neighboring trees.
  • Work with your neighbors to address trees near the property line that affect both properties.
  • Ask your power company to remove branches that are near power lines. Never attempt to do this job yourself.
• Shrubs
  • Choose low growing, fire-resistant plants.
  • Relocate any shrubs located under or near trees.
  • Keep low-growing bushes and shrubs spaced out or in small groupings (no more than 3 shrubs) that will result in a discontinuous path of vegetation.
  • Remove any hedges or rows of bushes that will create more fuel and a pathway for fire to reach your home.
• Maintain small structures near your home (i.e., sheds, pergolas, and playsets)
  • Place structures at least 10 feet away from the home or any attached decks.
  • Create a 5-foot Noncombustible Zone around each structure.
  • Ensure there is a minimum of 6 vertical inches (measured from the ground up) of noncombustible siding material at the base of each structure or any horizontal surfaces such as a wooden playset, just as you would for your home. For an elevated structure like a shed, enclose the base with no larger than 1/8-inch or finer metal wire mesh.
  • If you have multiple structures, such as a shed and playset, ensure these structures are spaced at least 10 feet apart. Have at most 3 of these structures within 30 feet.