Collins: Take steps to protect your home from wildfires

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 safety, you are actively taking steps to protect you and your home.

Trying to fire-harden your entire property at once can be overwhelming and cost-prohibitive. It’s best when doing repairs and replacements to make fire hardening a priority. Cal Fire offers numerous recommendations and strategies to protect your home from wildfires:

• Clear combustible vegetation and debris within five feet of your home, as research demonstrates that embers are more likely to ignite materials situated close to the structure, increasing the risk of structural ignition during a wildfire.
• Replace wood mulch with noncombustible alternatives such as gravel or decomposed granite.
• Keep rain gutters free of leaves, pine needles and twigs. Consider installing gutter guards to prevent debris from accumulating.
• Seal cracks and gaps where embers could enter the home.
• Trim tree branches that extend over your roofline.
• Install a metal mesh spark arrestor on your chimney.
• Ensure you have multiple outdoor hose bibs and enough garden hose to reach all sides of your home in an emergency.
• Replace wooden gates that attach directly to your home with noncombustible materials such as powder-coated steel or aluminum.

Fire-resistant building products continue to improve every year. When it is time to replace a roof, fence, siding, windows or landscaping, spend a little time researching today’s fire-resistant alternatives. Many of these products are surprisingly affordable and often require less maintenance overall than traditional materials.

With so many Santa Clara County neighborhoods bordering open space or foothills, fire hardening is one of the smartest investments a homeowner can make. You may even find out that fire hardening could lower your insurance costs or be essential to maintaining coverage.

While no retrofit can guarantee your home will survive every wildfire, taking these practical steps today can reduce your risk and protect your family and home.