What Is Zone Zero and Why It Matters in Wildfire Defense
In California, particularly in high-risk fire zones like the East Bay, Berkeley, and Oakland Hills, wildfire prevention is critical. In fact, areas like Berkeley, Moraga, Lafayette, Orinda, and the Oakland Hills are classified as Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (VHFHSZ) by CAL FIRE. As these communities face increasingly devastating wildfires, one of the most effective ways to protect your home is by understanding and implementing the concept of Zone Zero.
Zone Zero is the home, and the first five feet surrounding your home—the most critical area for preventing fire damage caused by flying embers, radiant heat, and direct flame. In this blog, we’ll explain why Zone Zero matters so much for East Bay homeowners, and how taking simple steps to fireproof this area can provide significant protection against wildfires.
What Is Zone Zero?
The concept of Zone Zero was introduced by wildfire experts and organizations like CAL FIRE and the Berkeley FireSafe Council as a way to address one of the most vulnerable parts of any structure during a wildfire: the area immediately surrounding the home. According to Fire Safe Marin, Zone Zero is the first five feet around your home that must be cleared of any combustible materials or vegetation that could easily ignite from embers or radiant heat.
This area is considered critical because 90% of homes destroyed in wildfires are ignited by flying embers rather than the main fire front itself, according to a report from the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS). These embers can travel long distances ahead of the wildfire, often landing in Zone Zero, and quickly turning a house into a fiery inferno. That's why experts emphasize Zone Zero as the first line of defense for protecting your property.
Why Zone Zero Matters
CAL FIRE and Berkeley FireSafe Council emphasize that homes in Berkeley, Oakland, and surrounding regions are especially vulnerable to ember storms due to their dense vegetation and steep terrain. The 1991 Oakland Hills fire, one of the most devastating wildfires in California history, started with embers igniting homes that were poorly protected by defensible space and fire-resistant materials. Oakland Firesafe Council has resources to help you prepare.
According to Franklin Hernandez, a spokesperson for the Oakland Fire Department, “Creating a defensible space around your home, including maintaining a fire-resistant Zone Zero, is one of the most important things a homeowner can do to protect their property during wildfire season. It minimizes the risk of ember intrusion and gives firefighters a fighting chance to protect the structure.”
What to Do in Zone Zero
The first five feet of your property are crucial, and there are several ways to make this area fire-resistant. Here’s how to begin:
1. Remove Combustible Materials
Berkeley FireSafe Council strongly recommends removing all dead vegetation and combustible materials from the Zone Zero area. This includes:
Firewood
Mulch
Plastic planters
Lawn furniture
Barbecues
Instead of traditional combustible ground cover, replace it with non-combustible materials like:
Gravel
Decomposed granite
Stone pavers
CAL FIRE stresses that removing vegetation within Zone Zero prevents ember accumulation and significantly reduces the chance of fire spreading from vegetation to your home.
2. Install Ember-Resistant Vents
Vents are an important element of your home’s ventilation system, but they’re also an entry point for embers during wildfires. Berkeley FireSafe Council recommends installing ember-resistant vents that include a 1/8-inch mesh to prevent embers from entering attics, crawl spaces, and walls.
Additionally, intumescent seals (expanding seals) should be installed around doors and windows. These seals expand under heat, blocking any potential gaps where embers can infiltrate.
3. Replace Wooden or Vinyl Siding with Fire-Resistant Materials
If your home is still using wooden siding, vinyl, or untreated wood near the Zone Zero area, it’s time to upgrade. According to Fire Safe Marin, the best materials for fire-resistant siding are:
Fiber cement siding (such as HardiePlank)
Stucco
Metal or brick siding
These materials help prevent embers from igniting your home and are durable under radiant heat exposure.
4. Trim Trees and Shrubs Near the House
Oakland Fire Department and Berkeley FireSafe Council both recommend maintaining a 10-foot clearance between trees and the home. Tall grasses, shrubs, and overhanging branches can easily carry fire to the side of the house or through the roof, especially during wind-driven fires.
Zone Zero: Local Resources and Guidelines
Both Oakland and Berkeley have specific wildfire regulations and resources for Zone Zero.
For instance:
Oakland's Emergency Services recommends creating defensible space by removing vegetation and installing fire-resistant features around the home's perimeter. They also highlight Zone Zero as a required element for homes in high-risk wildfire areas, especially in Oakland Hills.
Berkeley FireSafe Council emphasizes upgrading doors, windows, and exterior materials as part of the Zone Zero process. This is in line with CAL FIRE’s building code requirements for homes in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones.
How Zone Zero Fits into Your Wildfire Defense Strategy
Zone Zero is not the only defense mechanism you need, but it is the most immediate. According to Fire Safe San Mateo, after you’ve fortified your Zone Zero, it’s essential to:
Create a defensible space around your property (Zone 1 and Zone 2).
Install fire-resistant roofing and non-combustible fencing.
Ensure your home’s landscaping and perimeter are maintained and free of dry debris.
At Zone Zero Fire Shield, we offer passive fire shielding solutions that deploy 3,000°F-rated blankets around your home, shielding it from ember storms and radiant heat. This added layer of protection can save your home even if embers or flames breach your Zone Zero defense.
Conclusion:
Zone Zero is a vital element of wildfire defense that East Bay homeowners should prioritize. By retrofitting your home and creating a defensible perimeter with fire-resistant materials and Zone Zero protection, you can significantly improve your home’s chances of survival during wildfire season..
For East Bay homeowners, retrofitting your Zone Zero area—by removing combustibles, installing fire-resistant materials, and utilizing fire shielding technologies—will ensure your property’s survival during wildfire season.
Take Action:
For more information about how to protect your home with Zone Zero Fire Shield, visit www.zonezerofireshield.com or contact us today to schedule a consultation.