Protect What Matters Before the Flames Arrive
Proactive home defense is the most effective form of fire protection. Our step-by-step defense system helps California homeowners dramatically reduce their ignition risk before fire season.
The 3-Zone Defense System
California Fire Code requires homeowners to maintain defensible space in concentric zones around their home. Each zone serves a specific purpose in slowing fire spread and protecting your structure.
Zone 0
0–5ft
The Structure
Zone 0
Home itself
Zone 1
30ft buffer
Zone 2
30–100ft
The home itself and immediate surroundings. This zone focuses on the structure — fire-resistant materials, ember-proof vents, non-combustible decking, and sealed gaps.
Lean, clean, and green. Irrigated plants with adequate spacing, no wood mulch, no combustible fences, and hardscaping elements that slow fire movement.
Reduced fuel zone. Remove dead plant material, create separation between plants, prune tree canopies, and mow grasses below 4 inches to prevent fire spread.
12 Actions to Harden Your Home
Organized into three categories — tackle them in order for the highest impact per dollar spent.
Roof & Structure
Ember-Resistant Vents
Install 1/16" wire mesh screens on all attic, crawl space, and foundation vents to block ember intrusion.
Class A Roofing Materials
Use fire-rated asphalt shingles, metal, clay tile, or concrete tile — all rated Class A for maximum flame spread resistance.
Metal Gutters with Mesh Guards
Replace plastic gutters with non-combustible metal and add mesh guards to prevent debris and ember accumulation.
Fire-Resistant Siding & Stucco
Stucco, fiber cement, or brick siding dramatically reduces ember ignition risk on the exterior wall surfaces.
Landscaping
30ft Non-Combustible Zone
Maintain a bare earth or gravel buffer within the first 5 feet of your foundation — no plants, mulch, or wood.
Space Plants Apart
Keep shrubs and trees separated so fire cannot ladder from ground fuel to tree canopy. Prune lower branches to 6–10ft.
Remove Dead Vegetation
Dead plants, leaves, and grass are the most dangerous fuels. Clear them annually — especially before fire season.
Avoid Wood Mulch Near Foundation
Use gravel, decomposed granite, or rock mulch within Zone 0. Wood chips act as a wick for ember-driven ignition.
Emergency Preparedness
Go-Bags Ready
Prepare 72-hour emergency bags for each family member with documents, medications, water, and essentials.
Evacuation Routes Mapped
Know at least two exit routes from your neighborhood. Drive them in advance and share with every family member.
Important Docs Backed Up
Scan and store insurance policies, IDs, deeds, and financial records in a secure cloud account.
Family Communication Plan
Designate an out-of-area contact point, set meeting locations, and ensure every family member has the plan memorized.
Protected vs. Unprotected
The difference between a home that survives a wildfire and one that doesn't often comes down to preparation made months before the fire arrives.
Unprotected Home
- ✕Wood shake or asphalt shingles easily ignited by embers
- ✕Plants and wood mulch touching the foundation
- ✕Plastic gutters filled with dry debris
- ✕No ember-blocking vent screens installed
- ✕Dense, un-pruned vegetation within 30ft
- ✕Dead grass and leaves accumulated under decks
- ✕No family evacuation plan in place
- ✕Critical documents stored only on-site
Protected Home
- Class A metal or tile roof with ember-resistant vents
- 5ft gravel/stone buffer around entire foundation
- Metal gutters with mesh guards — cleared seasonally
- 1/16" mesh screens on all vents and openings
- Spaced, irrigated low-fuel plants in Zone 1
- Zero dead vegetation within 100ft of the structure
- Go-bags packed, two evacuation routes memorized
- Docs backed up to cloud and out-of-state contact set
Is Your Home at Risk?
Get a professional risk assessment from our certified fire defense specialists. We'll walk your property, identify vulnerabilities, and deliver a personalized defense plan — completely free.
Schedule Free Risk Assessment