How to Harden Your Home Against Wildfires

Written By Robert Johns

In the embrace of nature, where the wilderness meets our doorsteps, living next to the wild brings joy, tranquility, and a unique set of challenges. Among those challenges, wildfires stand out as a potent and sometimes devastating threat. However, with proper planning and home hardening, you can significantly reduce the risk and keep your property and loved ones safe.

1. Create Defensible Space

  • Zone 1 (0-5 feet from home): Use hard surfaces like concrete or noncombustible mulches. Keep this area free of dry leaves and dead plants.

  • Zone 2 (5-30 feet from home): Use low-growing plants, trimmed trees, and spaced-out shrubs to reduce fire intensity.

  • Zone 3 (30-100 feet from home): Maintain a reduced amount of flammable vegetation, focusing on spacing and trimming.

2. Upgrade Your Roof

  • Choose Class A rated roofing materials like asphalt shingles, clay tiles, or metal roofing. These materials offer the highest fire resistance.

  • If you must have a wood look roof, investigate alternative materials like CeDUR.

3. Protect Windows and Vents

  • Install dual-pane windows with tempered glass to resist heat.

  • Use metal screens over vents to prevent embers from entering the home.

4. Strengthen Walls and Decks

  • Use ignition-resistant building materials like stucco, brick, or fiber cement siding.

  • Enclose the underside of decks and overhangs with fire-resistant materials to prevent embers from becoming trapped.

5. Maintain Gutters and Eaves

  • Keep gutters clear of debris that can catch fire from flying embers.

  • Install metal gutter guards to reduce maintenance.

6. Care for Your Chimney

  • Install a metal mesh spark arrestor to keep embers from escaping the chimney.

  • Regularly inspect and clean the chimney to prevent buildup.

7. Choose Fire-Resistant Landscaping

  • Opt for native, fire-resistant plants that retain moisture.

  • Maintain lawns and water as needed to keep them green.

8. Create Emergency Access

  • Clearly mark your property address for emergency responders.

  • Ensure driveways and access roads can accommodate emergency vehicles.

9. Develop an Emergency Plan

  • Create and practice a family evacuation plan.

  • Keep emergency kits ready and know where to find community resources.

Living close to nature brings unparalleled beauty and rewards, but it also requires special care and consideration. By taking these steps to harden your home against wildfires, you're investing in peace of mind and safeguarding the place you love.

At Lodgepole Insurance Services, we specialize in insuring homes in the wildland urban interface. Our mission is to enable you to live next to nature, providing peace of mind for the wild at heart. If you have any questions or need assistance with your unique needs, don't hesitate to reach out.

Robert Johns