How to Harden Your Home for Ember Resistance
In the wildfire-prone regions of Alameda and Contra Costa Counties, California, protecting your home from ember attacks is crucial. Embers—small, windborne burning particles—are responsible for igniting the majority of homes during wildfires. As climate change intensifies fire seasons, hardening your home against these embers is more important than ever. This blog will explore the best methods and materials for hardening your home against ember attacks and radiant heat.
In the wildfire-prone regions of Alameda and Contra Costa Counties, California, protecting your home from ember attacks is crucial. Embers—small, windborne burning particles—are responsible for igniting the majority of homes during wildfires. As climate change intensifies fire seasons, hardening your home against these embers is more important than ever. This blog will explore the best methods and materials for hardening your home against ember attacks and radiant heat.
Understanding Ember Resistance
Ember resistance involves making your home less susceptible to ignition from flying embers. This includes sealing gaps, using fire-resistant materials, and creating defensible space. Local fire agencies, such as the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, emphasize that "home hardening includes using fire-resistant building materials, adopting safe landscaping practices, and implementing preventative measures to reduce fire risk and enhance property safety" (cccfpd.org).
Key Areas to Harden
1. Roofing
Your roof is a primary target for embers. The Contra Costa County Fire Protection District recommends installing Class A fire-rated roofing materials, such as metal, clay, or concrete tiles, to prevent ignition from flying embers. Avoid using wood shakes or untreated wood shingles, as they are highly combustible.
Recommendation: Opt for Class A fire-rated materials like metal, clay, or concrete tiles.
Avoid: Wood shakes or untreated wood shingles.
By using these materials, you can significantly reduce the risk of ember ignition on your roof.
2. Vents and Eaves
Embers can enter your home through vents and eaves. The Moraga-Orinda Fire District offers free ember-resistant vent mesh and provides reimbursement for the installation of ember-resistant vents (mofd.org). Additionally, CAL FIRE advises installing 1/16-inch to 1/8-inch noncombustible, corrosion-resistant metal mesh over vents to block embers from entering (readyforwildfire.org).
Recommendation: Install ember-resistant vents with 1/8-inch mesh and screened soffits.
Avoid: Unprotected vents and poorly sealed eaves.
Sealing these gaps will prevent embers from entering your attic or other cavities, reducing the risk of fire spreading inside your home.
3. Windows
Windows are another vulnerable part of your home. Heat from radiant heat or flying embers can cause windows to crack or shatter, allowing embers to enter your home. To reduce the risk, choose windows that are resistant to high temperatures and flying debris.
Recommendation: Install dual-pane tempered glass windows, which are stronger and provide better protection against heat and embers.
Avoid: Single-pane windows or acrylic windows, which are more likely to shatter or melt under high heat.
Tempered glass windows will not only withstand higher temperatures but also prevent embers from entering your home if the glass is exposed to radiant heat.
4. Siding and Decking
Combustible siding and decking materials can catch fire from embers. The East Bay Wildfire Coalition of Governments advises using fire-resistant materials like fiber cement or metal for siding and decking to reduce the risk of ignition (eastbaywildfire.org).
Recommendation: Use fiber cement board or metal for siding, and fire-rated composite decking or metal grating for decks.
Avoid: Vinyl siding, untreated wood, and wood decking.
These materials are less likely to catch fire from airborne embers, helping to protect your home from the initial spark that could lead to a larger blaze.
5. Gutters
Debris-filled gutters can ignite from embers. The Moraga-Orinda Fire District recommends installing metal gutter guards to prevent debris accumulation and reduce fire risk (mofd.org).
Recommendation: Install metal gutters with gutter guards to keep debris from collecting.
Avoid: Plastic or vinyl gutters, which are easily ignited.
Regularly cleaning gutters and installing metal gutter guards will ensure that debris doesn’t become fuel for a potential fire.
6. Decking: Wildfire-Rated or Noncombustible
Decks are a common point of vulnerability during wildfires, as embers often settle underneath and can ignite the wood. To protect your home, consider fire-rated decking materials.
Recommendation: Opt for fire-rated composite decking or metal decking to prevent embers from igniting the surface.
Avoid: Wooden decking, which can easily catch fire from underneath.
By choosing non-combustible or fire-rated decking materials, you can create a safer outdoor space that won’t contribute to the spread of fire.
Creating Defensible Space
Defensible space is the buffer you create between your home and the surrounding vegetation. The Contra Costa County Fire Protection District emphasizes that "defensible space, coupled with home hardening, is essential to improve your home’s chance of surviving a wildfire" (cccfpd.org).
Zone 0 (0–5 feet from the home)
This area should be free of combustible materials. The Berkeley FireSafe Council advises removing mulch, leaves, and other flammable materials within this zone to prevent ember ignition (berkeleyfiresafe.org).
Recommendation: Clear combustible materials such as mulch, leaves, and dry grass from the 0-5 foot zone.
Avoid: Any materials that can easily catch fire, such as bark mulch and dry grass.
A clean, non-combustible zone ensures that embers won’t have a chance to ignite the area immediately surrounding your home.
Zone 1 (5–30 feet from the home)
Maintain a defensible space by clearing dead vegetation and creating horizontal and vertical spacing between trees and shrubs. The East Bay Wildfire Coalition recommends using fire-resistant plants and maintaining defensible space to reduce fire risk (eastbaywildfire.org).
Recommendation: Remove dead vegetation, space trees and shrubs at least 18 feet apart, and use low-growing fire-resistant plants.
Avoid: Planting highly flammable plants, like juniper or pine trees, close to the house.
This zone serves as a buffer to slow or stop fire from reaching your home. Properly spaced trees and fire-resistant plants will significantly reduce your risk.
Zone 2 (30–100 feet from the home)
This area should be managed to slow or stop the spread of wildfire. The Contra Costa County Fire Protection District advises thinning trees and shrubs to create a defensible space that helps protect your home from catching fire (cccfpd.org).
Recommendation: Thin trees and large shrubs to maintain spacing and reduce the fuel load.
Avoid: Overgrown vegetation and ladder fuels that allow fire to climb to the tree canopy.
Proper vegetation management in this zone will help slow down a wildfire’s approach and provide a better chance for firefighters to defend your home.
Local Resources and Incentives
Several local agencies offer resources and incentives to assist homeowners in hardening their homes:
Moraga-Orinda Fire District: Offers a Home Hardening Grant Program that provides reimbursement for the purchase of ember-resistant vents and gutter guards (mofd.org).
Berkeley Fire Department: Provides guidelines and resources for home hardening and defensible space through the FireSafe Berkeley initiative (berkeleyfiresafe.org).
CAL FIRE: Offers comprehensive information on home hardening and defensible space on their website (fire.ca.gov).
Conclusion
Hardening your home against ember attacks is a proactive step in safeguarding your property from wildfires. By implementing the recommendations from local fire agencies and utilizing available resources, you can significantly reduce the risk of your home igniting from flying embers. Remember, creating a defensible space and using fire-resistant materials are key components in enhancing your home's resilience to wildfires.
Related Blogs in Our Series:
Top 10 Materials to Avoid in Wildfire Zones
When preparing your home for a wildfire, one of the most important steps is selecting the right building materials. Unfortunately, not all materials are created equal, and some can increase the vulnerability of your home during a wildfire. This blog will outline the top 10 materials to avoid in wildfire zones, helping you make informed choices when protecting your home.
When preparing your home for a wildfire, one of the most important steps is selecting the right building materials. Unfortunately, not all materials are created equal, and some can increase the vulnerability of your home during a wildfire. This blog will outline the top 10 materials to avoid in wildfire zones, helping you make informed choices when protecting your home.
Why Material Selection Matters in Wildfire Defense
The materials you choose for your home’s roof, siding, deck, and landscaping play a huge role in how well it can withstand the extreme conditions of a wildfire. Wildfires are unpredictable, and ember attacks, radiant heat, and direct flames are just a few of the risks to consider. Certain materials are highly flammable, which can contribute to the rapid spread of fire, putting your property—and potentially the whole neighborhood—at greater risk.
Let's explore the top 10 materials you should avoid when building or renovating your home in a wildfire zone.
1. Wood Shingles/Shakes
Wood shingles and shakes are classic roofing materials, but they are also one of the most flammable options. During a wildfire, embers can easily ignite wooden shingles, causing the fire to spread quickly. Even if a fire doesn’t directly touch the roof, the heat from nearby flames can still ignite wood shingles.
Recommendation: Opt for Class A fire-rated roofing materials like metal, clay tiles, or composite shingles.
2. Unrated Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingles are commonly used due to their cost-effectiveness, but they don’t provide adequate protection in a wildfire. Unrated asphalt shingles are particularly vulnerable to the heat and embers produced by wildfires, making them an unsafe choice for homes in fire-prone areas.
Recommendation: Choose Class A fire-rated composite shingles or metal roofing for better fire protection.
3. Vinyl Siding
Vinyl siding is an affordable option, but it is highly flammable and can melt or catch fire when exposed to heat. The melting vinyl can spread flames to your home’s interior, further damaging your property. It’s important to avoid vinyl siding, especially in Zone 0 and Zone 1.
Recommendation: Go for fiber cement board or metal siding, both of which are fire-resistant options.
4. Treated Wood (Untreated)
While treated wood can offer some level of protection against moisture and pests, it is still highly flammable and should be avoided in high-risk wildfire zones. When untreated, wood is even more susceptible to fire, and it can act as fuel during a wildfire, spreading flames rapidly.
Recommendation: Use fire-resistant materials like fiber cement board or fire-rated wood products.
5. Plastic or PVC Gutters
Plastic gutters may seem like a cost-effective solution, but they melt quickly and can easily catch fire when embers land on them. Plastic is one of the most flammable materials around your home, and it’s best to avoid it in favor of more fire-resistant options.
Recommendation: Install galvanized steel or aluminum gutters with metal gutter guards to prevent ember buildup.
6. Synthetic Turf
Synthetic turf might look appealing, but it is a non-natural material that can melt and catch fire quickly. The plastics and chemicals used in synthetic turf make it a significant fire hazard when exposed to intense heat.
Recommendation: Use natural, fire-resistant ground covers like succulents, grass, or wildflower meadows to maintain aesthetic appeal without compromising safety.
7. Plastic Window Frames
Plastic window frames, while lightweight and inexpensive, are highly flammable. When exposed to the intense heat of a wildfire, plastic window frames can melt or ignite, allowing embers to easily enter your home.
Recommendation: Choose metal or aluminum window frames that provide better protection from both heat and flames.
8. Wood Decking
Wooden decks are one of the most vulnerable areas of a home during a wildfire, as embers can easily settle underneath and ignite the wood. The flame can spread quickly, causing significant damage to your property and posing a risk to your entire structure.
Recommendation: Opt for fire-rated composite decking or metal decking to prevent fire spread from beneath the deck.
9. Traditional Wood Fencing
Wooden fences attached to your home can act as a bridge for fire to spread to your structure. The flammable nature of wood, combined with its ability to easily ignite from embers, makes traditional wood fencing a poor choice for wildfire defense.
Recommendation: Install metal, stone, or masonry fencing to create a fire-resistant barrier around your home.
10. Highly Flammable Mulch
Mulch is often used in landscaping but can be a major fire hazard, especially when it is made of wood chips or bark. These materials are highly flammable, and dry conditions can make them catch fire even more easily.
Recommendation: Replace wood mulch with gravel, stone, or decomposed granite. These non-combustible materials provide a beautiful, fire-safe landscaping solution.
Bonus: Full-Structure Fire Shielding
Even with the best materials in place, there are scenarios—like a neighboring home catching fire—where radiant heat and ember storms may overwhelm your defenses. That’s where full-structure fire shielding comes in.
Our solution is:
Waterless (no plumbing or sprinkler system needed)
Self-sufficient (no supervision required)
Rated to 3,000°F, with deployment designed to protect against ember storms and radiant heat
Final Thought:
While it’s important to use fire-resistant materials for every part of your home, it’s equally important to think about Zone 0 and Zone 1 when designing and landscaping your property. By avoiding highly flammable materials and focusing on non-combustible options, you can help ensure that your home is better protected from the dangers of wildfire.
The Zone Zero Fire Shield team hopes you find this information helpful.