Make Your Home Fire Resistant - Harden Your Home

Fire retardant construction materials and the quality of the defensible space surrounding the structure are what increases the chance of survival in a wildland fire. Embers from a wildland fire will find the weak spot in your home’s fire protection scheme and can easily lodge in small, overlooked, or seemingly inconsequential areas. Look at where snow drifts form on your roof and deck and around your home - these are the areas where embers will collect. Below are some home hardening measures you can take to safeguard your home.

Balconies and Decks

Construct your balconies or decks with noncombustible materials, and do not store combustible items underneath them. If there is a fire threat, bring any furniture into your home. Embers can collect in or on combustible surfaces, or beneath decks and balconies, igniting the material and giving a path for the fire to enter your home. Remove pine needles, leaves, grass, or any other flammable materials from underneath your deck.

Eaves

Embers can gather under open eaves and ignite combustible material. Enclose your eaves with noncombustible or ignition-resistant materials to prevent ember intrusion, and regularly clear away debris that collects here.

Vents

Embers can enter the attic or other concealed spaces and ignite combustible materials through open and unscreened vents. Vents in eaves, gables and cornices are particularly vulnerable if not properly screened with wire mesh. Use corrosion resistant metal mesh to screen all vents, and check them regularly to remove any debris that collects in front of the screen.

Walls and Fencing

Combustible siding or fencing provides surfaces and crevices for embers to nestle and ignite. Ensure wooden fences do not connect directly to the house. Create a break in the fence by using a gate or noncombustible substitute to connect to the house. Build or remodel with noncombustible or ignition-resistant materials wherever possible, regularly clear away debris from any crevices, and perform annual upkeep.

Windows and Doors

Embers can enter gaps in doors, including garage doors. Install weather proofing around your garage door; and if your garage is attached to your home, make sure the interior door is solid and on self-closing hinges. Plants or combustible storage near windows can be ignited from embers and generate heat that can break windows and/or melt combustible frames. Wherever possible, use dual-paned windows with tempered glass, as they are less likely to shatter from radiant heat.