Windows often feel like passive parts of the home—meant to bring in light and views. But in a wildfire, they can be one of the most dangerous vulnerabilities. Thin glass, aging seals, and nearby debris can all turn an ember storm into a structure fire in minutes.

A fire-safe perimeter is a defensible space that reduces the amount of combustible material around your property, thereby decreasing the chances of a fire spreading to your home. This space typically includes a combination of landscape management, fire-resistant materials, and maintenance practices.

When it comes to wildfire preparedness, defensible space is one of the most critical elements in safeguarding your home. It’s the area around your property where you take proactive steps to eliminate fuel sources that could feed a fire, particularly flying embers, which are responsible for more than 90% of home ignitions during wildfires. In Berkeley, the city’s new EMBER program emphasizes the importance of creating defensible space as part of its comprehensive approach to wildfire resilience.

Learn the essential steps of home hardening to protect your property from wildfires. This blog covers fire-resistant materials, wildfire mitigation strategies, and home improvements specific to Berkeley’s EMBER program.

Learn about Berkeley’s new EMBER program and its wildfire safety regulations. Understand the key requirements for homeowners and how to protect your home with defensible space, home hardening, and ember mitigation.