California wildfires remain one of the state’s most persistent challenges, shaping how residents build, insure, and prepare.
While fire activity varies by season and region, practical steps at the home and community level can significantly reduce risk and improve outcomes when fires occur.
Why wildfires keep intensifying
A mix of hotter, drier weather patterns, decades of vegetation buildup, and expanding development into the wildland-urban interface increases both the frequency and the severity of fire events. Ember-driven ignition is a major cause of home loss—embers can travel a mile or more in strong winds—so even properties not directly adjacent to forests are at risk. Utility infrastructure and human activity remain common ignition sources, adding urgency to prevention and mitigation work.
Home hardening and defensible space
Making a house more fire-resistant, often called home hardening, is one of the most effective investments homeowners can make.
– Create defensible space: Clear combustible materials and prune vegetation within the first 5 to 30 feet around structures; extend fuel reduction efforts outward where possible.
Maintain irrigated or low-flammability plants nearest the home.
– Roof and vents: Use fire-resistant roofing materials and install ember-resistant vents to prevent embers from entering attic spaces.
– Siding and decks: Replace or protect flammable siding and decks with non-combustible materials or coverings. Keep decks clear of debris and store flammable items away from the structure.
– Gutters and screens: Regularly clean gutters and install screens to prevent accumulation of leaves and embers.
– Windows and shutters: Consider tempered glass, dual-pane windows, and metal shutters to reduce the chance of breakage and ember entry.
Emergency planning and readiness
Preparedness reduces chaos during an evacuation and increases family safety.
– Evacuation plan: Map multiple evacuation routes and agree on a meeting place. Keep vehicles fueled and accessible.
– Grab-and-go kit: Assemble essential documents, medications, clothing, chargers, and a battery-powered radio. Store items in an easy-to-carry container.
– Alerts and information: Sign up for local emergency alerts, follow fire agencies on social platforms, and monitor official maps for active incidents and evacuation orders.
– Pets and livestock: Have a plan for transporting and housing animals; keep carriers, leashes, and records readily available.
Community and landscape-scale strategies
Individual actions matter, but coordinated community work multiplies protection.
– Fuel management: Participate in or support local vegetation thinning, shaded fuel breaks, and ecological restoration projects that reduce continuous fuels.
– Prescribed fire and managed burns: Where appropriate and carefully planned, prescribed burns and cultural burning methods reduce accumulated fuels and restore more resilient ecosystems.
– Neighborhood initiatives: Organize chipping days, community clean-up events, and mutual-aid networks to help vulnerable neighbors prepare.
– Infrastructure hardening: Support local efforts to underground power lines where feasible, install advanced grid protections, and hold utilities accountable for vegetation management.
Financing and resources
Several grant programs, cost-sharing initiatives, and insurance incentives exist to help pay for defensible space work and home hardening. Contact local fire districts, state wildfire agencies, or emergency management offices to learn about available funding, rebates, and approved contractors.
Taking action now
Reducing wildfire risk is a multi-year effort that blends personal preparedness, smart building choices, and collective landscape stewardship.
Start with the most impactful steps—clear immediate defensible space, secure irreplaceable documents, and build an evacuation plan—and connect with neighbors to extend protection across your block.
Staying proactive helps protect lives, property, and the landscapes that make California unique.