01Understand how houses actually catch fire
Research by fire scientists and groups like NFPA points to the same conclusion — the condition of the house and the few feet around it matter more than how close the forest is. A wildfire ignites homes in three ways.
Embers
Burning bits carried by wind that land on or in the house. They cause most home ignitions and can arrive well before and after the flames.
Radiant heat
Intense heat from nearby burning plants, sheds, or neighbouring houses can crack windows and ignite siding without direct contact.
Direct flame
Fire burning right up to the house through dry grass, mulch, or shrubs. Clearing the first few feet largely removes this path.
02Work the yard from the house outward
The home ignition zone is usually described in three rings. Start with the one closest to the walls — it gives the biggest return for the least effort. On steep slopes or in windy areas, the outer zone may need to extend further.
| Zone | Distance from house | Main goal |
|---|---|---|
| Immediate | 0–5 feet | Nothing that burns — gravel, pavers, or bare soil instead of mulch and plants |
| Intermediate | 5–30 feet | Break up fuel so fire can't travel — spaced, well-watered plants and mowed grass |
| Extended | 30–100 feet | Thin trees and brush, remove dead material, and keep fire low to the ground |
- Clear leaves and needles from roofs, gutters, and under decks
- Swap wood mulch for gravel or rock within 5 feet of the house
- Move firewood piles and propane tanks at least 30 feet away
- Prune tree limbs so they're well clear of the roof and chimney
- Remove lower branches so ground fire can't climb into trees
- Store outdoor cushions, doormats, and brooms inside on red-flag days
03Close the gaps embers get through
Embers find the smallest openings. Sealing them is mostly a matter of inexpensive materials and a weekend of work, and it complements the yard work outside.
- Screen every vent
Cover attic, soffit, and crawlspace vents with noncombustible metal mesh (1/8 inch is common guidance), or replace them with ember-resistant vents.
- Guard the gutters
Clean them often during fire season. Metal gutter guards help keep debris out, but still need checking.
- Look at the roof
A Class A rated roof covering resists embers best. Seal gaps at roof edges and ridge caps where embers can lodge.
- Mind the deck
Clear the space underneath and keep it free of stored items. Enclosing or screening the underside keeps embers and debris out.
- Seal the garage door
Weatherstripping at the bottom and sides of the garage door blocks a common ember entry point.
- Upgrade windows over time
Dual-pane windows with tempered glass hold up better to heat than single-pane glass.
Extra protection for the house
Insurance guide →Master Flame Class A Fire Retardant Spray
A retardant spray for treating wood and fabric surfaces; follow the label for coverage and how often to reapply.
Check price on AmazonChampion 9,000W Tri-Fuel Inverter Generator
Keeps a well pump and fridge going during long outages or power shutoffs; run it outdoors only, away from openings and dry vegetation.
Check price on Amazon04Protect your lungs on smoke days
Smoke can travel hundreds of miles, so even homes far from the fire can face poor air for days. Fine particles are the main concern, especially for children, older adults, and people with heart or lung conditions.
- Check the air quality
Use AirNow.gov for local readings and forecasts, and plan outdoor time around them.
- Set up a clean room
Pick one room with few windows, close it up, and run a properly sized HEPA purifier there — especially for sleeping.
- Keep smoke out of the house
Close windows and doors, and set your HVAC to recirculate. A higher-efficiency filter (MERV 13 if your system can handle it) helps.
- Don't add indoor pollution
Avoid frying, candles, and vacuuming without a HEPA filter on heavy smoke days.
Clean-air basics
Emergency kit guide →Coway AP-1512HH HEPA Air Purifier
A popular true-HEPA purifier for a bedroom-sized clean room on smoky days.
Check price on Amazon3M Aura N95 Particulate Respirator
A NIOSH-approved N95 to keep in each go-bag and car for trips outside when the air is bad.
Check price on Amazon05Be ready to go — and go early
Fires can move faster than a car on a smoke-choked road. Leaving early, before an order, is the safest choice — especially for anyone who needs extra time or help.
- Fire seasonReady.
Pack go-bags, save digital copies of documents, know two ways out of your neighborhood, and sign up for local emergency alerts.
- Fire nearbySet.
Load the car facing out, close all windows and doors, move flammable furniture away from windows, and keep pets contained.
- Order or threatGo.
Leave immediately. Turn on outside lights so firefighters can see the house through smoke, and leave gates unlocked.
- Coming backReturn carefully.
Wait for the all-clear, watch for hot spots and ash pits, and photograph any damage before cleanup.
Go-bag and outage gear
Backup power guide →Jackery Explorer 1000 v2
A portable battery for phones, lights, and a small fridge through a planned shutoff, and easy to toss in the car.
Check price on AmazonMidland ER310 Emergency Weather Radio
Picks up NOAA alerts and broadcast radio when cell networks are overloaded, with crank and solar charging.
Check price on AmazonAnker 737 Power Bank (24,000mAh)
A compact battery for the go-bag, so your phone stays charged on the road.
Check price on AmazonFree download
The wildfire-ready checklist
A printable plan for the yard, the house, smoke days, and evacuation, laid out so you can work through it before fire season.
- Zone-by-zone yard cleanup list
- Ember-proofing walkthrough for the house
- Clean-room setup for smoke days
- Ready, Set, Go evacuation plan
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