In California, the threat of wildfire is a constant reality. Yet most homes lost in wildfires are not destroyed by the advancing wall of flames. Instead, they are ignited by wind-driven embers that can travel miles ahead of the fire front. These fiery particles seek out the smallest vulnerabilities, lodging in gutters, slipping through attic vents or settling into dry debris near your home. Home hardening is the initiative-taking process of closing these pathways, shifting your home’s defense from reactive to resilient. By systematically upgrading your home’s materials and maintaining a five-foot “ember-resistant zone,” you are not just hoping for...