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Zone 0 for Home Hardening
Marin’s Fire Agencies recommend taking a “house out” approach to wildfire preparedness. The surfaces of the home including decks, and steps, is the most vulnerable to embers that accumulate at the base of a wall and/or ignitions when embers ignite vegetation or other combustible materials located close to the structure. We call this “ZONE ZERO,” because it’s ground-zero when it comes to protecting your home from embers.
Embers are responsible for 90% of homes destroyed by wildfire. The structure of the home itself must be protected from embers. This typically involves:
Harden the Structure
- Installing vents that are both ember and flame resistant
- Installation of a Class A rated roof
- Protecting gutters from debris accumulation with proper screens and roof flashing
- Ensure 6 inch vertical non combustible materials at base of walls and decks
- Sealing all openings into the home
- Use correct weather stripping on doors including the garage door
- Install double pane, tempered glass windows
In addition to the structure itself, attached decks and steps plus gates and fences must be ember resistant
Harden Attached Decks and Gates
- Decks should be constructed of materials approved by the California State Fire Marshal
- No combustible material is allowed under decks
- Decks should be enclosed with screens or non combustible materials to keep embers out
- No combustible gate or fence should be attached to the home
The Five Foot Buffer
Remove ALL vegetation, trees including overhanging branches, grass/turf, wood/rubber mulch, and any combustible stored items within 5 feet of the structure.
Maintenance
- Routinely clear vegetation debris in the Five Foot Buffer
- Roofs: Routinely clear tree debris from roof and gutters
- Decks: Routinely clear tree debris, replace combustible furniture, & maintain the under deck area
- Yard: Regularly clear debris, pruned and spaced trees/vegetation, move firewood & large propane tanks to 30+ feet
- Place structures at least 10 feet away and maintain the 5-foot noncombustible buffer around them
Wildfire Prepared Home
Consider becoming a designated Wildfire Prepared Home by the Insurance Institute of Business and Home Safety. The State of California has passed legislation related to the Five Foot Buffer Zone. Here is a Power Point from their Workshop.
