Protecting a home from wildfire for $20 or less

There are many things homeowners can do to protect their homes from wildfire that cost $20 or less, said the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety in a news release distributed yesterday.

The article suggests undertaking low-cost, simple but important safety steps like clearing gutters, sealing around doors and covering vents.

Last month, the organization conducted the first-ever full-scale wildfire demonstration at its South Carolina research center. The demonstration was part of a building science initiative designed to illustrate how easily some commonly used materials and items near or on houses can ignite from embers, and what homeowners can do to better protect their homes.

“Most people believe that it is the advancing line of flames during a wildfire that destroys homes,” IBHS president was quoted in the story. “Rather, it is embers or firebrands that create spot fires by igniting vegetation, debris and flammable materials that lead to ignition of the exterior of a house, as well as embers blown or drawn into buildings through gable vents, soffit vents and other openings that can ignite a house from the inside. And our laboratory test vividly demonstrated just that.”

The article credited UC Cooperative Extension for contributing to its list of suggestions for improving a home's chances of survival when a wildfire threatens. The suggestions include:

• Ensure the home has a Class A rated roof.
  
• Maintain a carefully managed and maintained vegetation zone within a five-foot zone adjacent to the home.
  
• When a wildfire is threatening, close the windows.
• Clean debris out of rain gutters.
  
• Install end-stops (bird-stops) at the edge of the roof if there are gaps.
  
• Do not store combustible items, such as firewood and lumber, under the deck.
  
• Keep all gaps clear of vegetative debris or cover gaps with metal siding.
  
• Make sure the garage door is well sealed at the edges.

UC Cooperative Extension wood durability advisor Stephen Quarles has developed an online Homeowner's Wildfire Mitigation Guide with detailed instructions for making changes to a home and its surroundings to reduce the possibility of damage from wildfires.