🔥 Wildfire Preparedness: How to Protect Your Home 🔥
Every year, families across the country lose their homes and possessions to wildfires. Many of these losses are preventable. By becoming aware of key safety measures and taking action around your home, you can reduce the risk of property damage—and help protect the lives of firefighters.
🏡 Why Homes Ignite in a Wildfire
Research shows that most homes catch fire during a wildfire due to embers or small flames, not large flame fronts. These embers can enter through small openings or ignite nearby materials. That’s why the most critical protection efforts should focus on your home and the area immediately around it.
Take time to inspect your property and close up those small vulnerabilities where embers may sneak in.
🧱 Use Fire-Resistant Building Materials
"The Best Thing That You Can Do"
Strengthen your home against wildfire by upgrading key exterior materials:
Roofing: Use fire-resistant materials such as tile, slate, sheet metal, or Class A-rated shingles.
Siding & Walls: Brick, stucco, stone, and fiber-cement are more resistant than wood.
Wood surfaces: If you have wood siding or cedar shakes, consider applying fire-retardant chemicals.
🌲 Create and Maintain a Survivable Space
"Things You Can Do Today"
Simple daily actions can dramatically improve your home’s wildfire resilience:
🔧 Home Maintenance
Clean roofs and gutters regularly to remove leaves, needles, and debris.
Trim trees so no branches are within 10 feet of chimneys or the roofline.
Install spark arresters on chimneys—use metal screens with mesh openings no larger than ½ inch.
Clean and screen attic and crawl space vents with 1/8-inch metal mesh.
Remove low-hanging branches (up to 15 feet from the ground) to prevent "ladder fuels."
🌿 Landscaping
Space shrubs at least 15 feet apart to minimize fire spread.
Maintain a fuel break (a cleared area) around your home.
Keep firewood, picnic tables, boats, and other combustibles away from structures.
Store gasoline in approved safety cans away from living spaces.
Ensure propane tanks are at a safe distance with valves accessible for shutoff.
🚒 Emergency Readiness at Home
Always have a garden hose connected and ready.
Keep a ladder, shovel, rake, and water bucket accessible.
Dispose of fireplace ashes and briquettes only after soaking in water for 24 hours.
Make sure your physical address is clearly posted on your home and driveway.
Street names should be visible at intersections.
Roads and driveways should be at least 16 feet wide for emergency access.
Ensure two ways in and out of your neighborhood or property are accessible.
❓ Have Questions?
The DuPont Fire Department is here to help. If you’re unsure how to prepare your home, want tips on building materials, or need assistance understanding fire codes: