Reduce Your Property Risk Before a Wildfire

Home maintenance, such as clearing debris from roofs and gutters, can help protect your home if a wildfire threatens.

Wildfires – unplanned fires in forests, grasslands or other environments – can threaten homes and lives. While wildfires seem to be more destructive in the past several years, the fact is that more urban areas continue to expand into the Wildland-Urban Interface. This trend has not only increased the number of human-caused fires, but it has substantially increased the cost of damage by wildfires. It's important to review your plans each year and, although not every wildfire can be prevented, you can take steps to make your property more resilient should a wildfire threaten.

Fire-Resistant Building Materials

• Choose fire-resistant building materials and construction techniques when building a new home.
• Replace combustible building materials, roof and attachments with fire-resistive materials on existing homes.
• Use Class A fire-rated roofing products.
• Replace or repair existing shingles or tiles if any are missing or loose; this helps to prevent ember intrusion.
• Box in or “close” eaves to reduce exposure of ember ignition.
• Replace roof and attic vents with ember resistant vents.
• Replace combustible decks, fencing and overhangs with fire-resistive materials.
• Install dual pane tempered glass windows to reduce the risk of breakage from radiant heat.
• Use fire-resistant window and door trim such as brick, fiber-cement, plaster or stucco to prevent ignition from embers that can collect in small nooks or crannies.
• Driveways should be at least 12 feet wide with a vertical clearance of 15 feet so emergency responders and their equipment can access your property.
• Make sure your address number is clearly marked on your house and property.

Home Preparation

Before a Wildfire

• Keep roof and gutters clean and clear of leaves or needles.
• Remove dead vegetation from underneath decks or porches.
• Replace flammable plastic, wood or fabric outdoor furniture with non-flammable metal or glass.
• Store firewood at least 30 feet away from any structure.

When a Wildfire Threatens

• Remove all combustible furniture, toys or equipment from under porches and decks.
• Store propane cylinders outside; avoid placement in any enclosed area such as garage, basement or shed.
• Move propane grills and cylinders, so they are a minimum of 30 feet from any structure.
• Clear at least a 10-foot area around your propane tank or gas grill; this includes removal of all combustibles, including leaves, vegetation, furniture and more.
• Turn off the main gas supply valve on your propane tank if a wildfire is threatening; turn off gas supply valves for indoor appliances.
• Close doors, screens and dampers for propane fireplaces.
• Screen or box in areas below patios and decks with wire mesh to prevent debris and combustible materials from accumulating.
• Cover exterior attic vents and under-eave soffit vents or screens with metal wire mesh no larger than 1/8 inch to prevent sparks from entering the home if it doesn’t already have ember-resistant venting.
• Provide access to emergency responders if property has automated gates or leave gates open if you have evacuated.

This loss control information is advisory only. The author assumes no responsibility for management or control of loss control activities. Not all exposures are identified in this article. Contact your local, independent insurance agent for coverage advice and policy service.