How Wildfires Endanger Your Home

Many of us believe that fire sweeps through a community like ours, like a “tsunami” of fire, literally exploding houses in flames and leaving destruction in its path.  In reality, the typical pattern of destruction is that homes are destroyed, but much of the surrounding green vegetation is not consumed.

Typically home ignitions result from burning embers blowing through the air, and/or surface fires that spread to contact the base of of the structure.  

We must enhance our homes' ignition resistance from wildfire by implementing these simple, inexpensive tips.  

One of the first things we all should do is to remove all flammable materials within 5 feet of our homes and attached and nearby structures.

Here are some simple, practical options to protect your home from wildfire embers.   

1. Replace or enhance your foundation, attic and other open vents with fire resistant vents or 1/8” ember resistant screening.
2. Make sure there is a vertical separation of at least 6 inches or more between the ground and combustible siding.
3. Use only noncombustible mulches such as gravel, decomposed granite, or compost.  Avoid wood chips, bark and especially “Gorilla Hair.”
4. Install noncombustible fences and gates within 8 feet of your home. This is particularly important in areas where they make contact with the home.
5. Decks and porches should be screened to prevent ember entry and there should be no combustible materials stored under decks.
6. Remove leaf litter from within the first five feet of the structure frequently.  Don't just move it to another location, strong winds during fires will blow it back against the home.
7. Move combustible outdoor items indoors or 30 feet from structures.  This includes patio furniture cushions, wicker furniture, toys, natural fiber doormats, plastic trash cans, firewood and lumber.
8. Make fire smart landscaping choices. The next two FIRESafe MARIN webinars will discuss this in greater detail.

FIRESafe MARIN produced a very interesting webinar which is available on the FIRESafe MARIN youtube channel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELu_mPm2NTQ&t=1182s