Home Safety Checklist

There are three behaviors that are the biggest contributor to wildfire:

• Topography (lay of the land)
• Weather (wind speed, relative humidity, an ambient temperature)
• Fuel (vegetation and man-made structures

Fuel is the only one of these within our ability to control.

Here are some simple steps you can take from roof to foundation to make your home safer from embers and radiant heat.

• Clear – ignitable material such as leaves from roof, gutters, eaves, porches and decks
• Repair – any loose or missing shingles/tiles and caulk any gaps or openings on roof edges.
• Install – 1/8″ metal mesh screening in all outdoor vents.
• Cover – exterior attic vents and install metal mesh (1/8″ or smaller) to under eave and soffit vents.
• Repair – or replace damaged or loose window screens and any broken windows.
• Screen or box-in – areas below patios and decks with wire mesh to prevent debris and combustible materials from accumulating.
• Relocate – items kept under decks or porches; swap out vegetation in these areas for rock or gravel.
• Replace – mulch with hardscaping, including rock, gravel or stone.
• Remove – ignitable features within 30 feet of all structures, including firewood piles, portable propane tanks, and dry/dead vegetation.
• Protect – water dry grass and schrubs, trim brown vegetation and dispose of yard waste.
• Prune – low hanging branches (6-10 feet for taller trees, 1/3 tree height for smaller trees); remove any tall grasses, vines and shrubs from under trees.