MAKING A FIRE-RESISTANT HOME

Climate change means longer, hotter, dryer wildfire seasons whether you live in California, the Northwest, or even New York or Canada. We’ll never stop every stray spark from igniting – but there are things you can do to protect your home this wildfire season. Here are some DIY methods to reduce damage to your home and improve the chances it’ll survive a fire.

Perhaps the most effective way to protect your home is by creating a buffer between your house and the vegetation that could catch fire and lead to your door. A defensible zone sounds like a football play; it’s really a technique every homeowner should know about.

In a 30-foot circle around your home, get rid of anything that would fuel a fire. Remove dead plants, leaves, and debris from your yard. Clear your roof, gutters, and under decks. Move firewood piles, propane tanks, and outdoor furniture away from your home. Store these at least 30 feet from your house in a well-ventilated area. Keep the grass short, less than 4 inches, and prune trees so the lowest branches are at least 7 feet above the ground. This can prevent ground fires from climbing into the trees. You can even replace the plants on your property with fire-resistant varieties like succulents, lavender, or hardwood trees.

Look at the 100-foot ring around your house. Remember that native plant species that retain moisture and don’t need to be watered and are less likely to catch fire. Break up the continuity of plants. Remove dry vegetation, and thin out trees so there’s 10–20 feet between them. Avoid dense shrubs.

Breaking up the landscape around your home with gravel paths, rock gardens, and materials that can’t catch fire serves as a crucial barrier when fire gets close. Gravel and stones are great choices to cover the ground, and can be used artfully in xeriscaping which also saves water. Avoid using wood mulch, which easily catches fire. If you have wooden fences, make sure they do not extend all the way to your house. Leave a gap. You can install things like stone patios or brick walkways for style, functionality, and to provide a protective zone around your home.

Homes made of flammable materials – as most are, minus brick and stucco – are at high risk for wildfire damage. That’s why we came up with Future Proof’s exterior finish. It’s a cement and glass composite that can be sprayed over all your exterior walls. It is generally designed for new construction but can be applied to existing houses too. Once a binding base coat is applied by a roller, brush or sprayer, a Kevar mesh is put on top. This prevents cracking and helps repel any objects that hit your house, even at a speed of 95 mph. An average-sized home can be covered with our fire-resistant exteriors in less than a week. By using our fire-resistant finish, roofing underlay, vents and fire-resistant roofing, homes can withstand a 1200-degree wildfire for up to an hour.

Embers carried by the wind are one of the worst ways homes end up burning during wildfires. To protect against ember attacks, upgrade the vulnerable parts of your home.

• Roofing: If possible, replace your roof with fire-resistant materials such as metal, clay tiles, or asphalt shingles rated for fire resistance. At the very least, keep your roof free of leaves, pine needles, and other debris that can easily ignite.
• Vents: Vents in the attic and foundation are another entry point for embers. Install metal mesh screens no larger than 1/8” over all vents, including soffit vents, eaves, and crawl spaces. Mesh screens will prevent embers from entering your home while still allowing for proper ventilation.
• Windows: Windows often shatter from heat, leaving a large hole for flames to pass through and creating a sudden rush of oxygen which fuels fire. Double-pane or tempered glass windows survive way longer. If there’s a fire approaching, close all windows and shutters. Consider installing fire-resistant window coverings.
• Gutters: Keep your gutters clean and free of debris. Consider installing gutter guards to reduce the buildup of leaves and pine needles. Embers that land in gutters can be deadly.

If you live in an area with frequent wildfires, having a water source can be game-changing. When fires sweep through town, that’s not the time to count on public water resources, which everyone will be drawing on and likely don’t exist in abundance in a fire zone. Consider installing a rainwater harvesting system or setting up large water barrels connected to a hose for easy access. You can also use a pool or pond as a water source for firefighters.

Simple DIY adjustments can greatly reduce the risk of your house catching fire and burning to the ground. By creating a defensible zone, using fire-resistant materials, and taking steps to keep out burning embers, you can greatly improve your home’s chances of surviving. These strategies not only protect your property but also contribute to the safety of your community. Now’s the time to take action and protect your home.