The best way for your home to survive is to have the exterior envelope as non-combustible as possible.

Roofs:

Fires typically enter a home through the roof structure, and the roof is the most vulnerable part of your home to windblown embers. One of the things you can do right now is make sure the gutters and valleys of your roof are clean of dry leaves and debris.

If you’re building a new roof, be aware that roofing materials are rated from A to C, with A being the most fire resistant. The cost difference between A and C is not significant, so always go with a more resistant roof. Metal roofs or an A rated asphalt shingle or concrete tile are your best bet

Landscape:

Clear any dense or dry vegetation from around your home. One of the homes I visited yesterday may have survived because one side of the home was landscaped in river-rock, which extended out 30’ from the side of the home. While not everyone’s idea of attractive, the river rock provided a good barrier that the fire was unable to jump. Water-saving landscapes, known as “xeriscapes”, which often feature rocks and cacti, are not only less costly to maintain, but less likely to transmit fire. These landscapes, if well done, can be very attractive. Here’s an example of a fire-resistant landscape we designed using glass chips from American Specialty Glass.



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