If you live in a fire hazard zone, it may not always be possible to prevent serious destruction or the total loss of your home in a wildfire. However, with smart maintenance tips and home hardening strategies, you can prepare your home in case of a fire to minimize the damage as much as possible.
For everything beyond your control, having a California wildfire lawyer on your side can offer peace of mind, ensuring that you aren’t left fighting a complex legal battle alone while trying to recover from a devastating loss.
Fortify Your Roof
The roof of your home plays a major role in whether or not the overall structure will survive wildfire damage. Flying embers can be carried on the wind and land on roofs, potentially igniting the home. Embers are the main way that the majority of homes catch fire in wildfires. Preparing your roof to reduce the odds of ignition could save your home. Your roof should be made of nonflammable materials, such as slate, tile, brick, aluminum, stone or sheet metal.
Choose a Class A fire-rated roof, if possible. Keep your roof and gutters clear of any dried leaves and debris that could catch. Keep your roof in good shape, with no missing shingles or roof tiles that could allow burning embers to penetrate the underlying structure.
Cover Infiltration Points
Flying sparks and embers can ignite your home if they are able to find purchase anywhere on the structure, such as an open attic vent or loose window screen. Carefully evaluate your home for potential infiltration points. Repair or replace any damaged screens and windows.
Make sure all outdoor vents, chimneys, stovepipes, and the space beneath your home or a deck is covered with mesh screening to reduce the risk of ember penetration. Any gaps or holes in your walls or siding should also be patched with caulk or putty. Replace any rotten or damaged boards.
Opt for Noncombustible Siding
During the construction of your home or renovations, pay special attention to the paneling on the exterior. Stay away from wood siding or wood paneling, if possible. If this is not possible, coat these materials with chemical fire retardants to make them less likely to catch fire. If your home is attached to other elements, such as a fence or carport, these should be separated from the main structure of your house by metal, such as a metal gate or metal angle flashing. This is known as breaking the continuity of fuel.
Clear Away Flammable Outdoor Materials
Nothing that could potentially catch fire should be touching the exterior of your home. Remove anything that can burn, including trees, plants, leaves and pine needles, piles of firewood, lumber, and mulch. Nothing should be stored beneath your porch or deck. If possible, replace grass around your home with gravel or stone. Keep up with regular pruning and cleaning to prevent flammable plants from growing. You should create at least 30 feet of defensible, fire-retardant landscaping around the base of your home.
Learn More About Wildfire Damage Prevention
For more tips and information on how to protect your property from wildfire damage, you can use resources from CAL Fire, FEMA and the National Fire Protection Association. If your home or property has already been damaged in a wildfire, contact Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian for a free review of your legal case from an attorney. We can help you seek fair compensation for your property losses from an insurance company.