Retrofitting or constructing homes with fire-safe materials is vitally important to reducing the risk of home ignition. Embers can travel for miles and cause home ignition by entering small gaps or by accumulating against flammable building features such as wood siding or roof shingles.

Fiberglass-asphalt shingles, clay tiles, or metal sheets are the primary alternatives to flammable wood shingles. All vents should have screens designed to keep out embers. Always use double-paned, tempered glass windows to ensure that pressure differences caused by heat on the outside of the home will not shatter the window and allow ember entry.

Some simple steps can greatly increase the chances of home survival during a wildfire. Rain gutters should be free of needles and leaves, and care must be taken to remove potential ignition sources from around the outside of the home. Embers can easily ignite leaf piles, patio furniture, and wood piles.

Defensible space is a first step to protecting your home. The primary purpose of defensible space is to keep flames from burning immediately adjacent to the home or other structure. It can also help allow better movement for firefighters needing to set up around the home.

Not all vegetation around the home needs to be removed. In fact, some fire resistant vegetation can help screen embers from an advancing fire in the distance.

As a general rule, vegetation should be cleared no further than 100 feet from buildings. Fire scientists have found that clearing beyond this distance adds no extra protection. Woody vegetation immediately adjacent to structures should be reduced by 40%. Vegetation should not overhang or touch structures.

The best way to protect our communities from wildfire is to keep fires from igniting in the first place. Fire departments and agencies need additional resources to increase patrols during fire season and red flag warnings, to establish more official presence in high-risk areas and stop dangerous activities like illegal campfires. More patrols would also increase early detection of fires when they do start, increasing the odds of a successful initial attack before the fire gets out of control. Emerging technologies may also assist in the early detection of wildfires.

Most wildfires in our region are human-caused, and some of the largest fires are started by faulty electrical transmission equipment. Regular maintenance and inspections are necessary to reduce utility-caused ignitions, and undergrounding of certain transmission lines may be a worthwhile investment when compared to the environmental, economic, and human costs of fighting fires.