How to Prepare Your Home and Family for Wildfires

Clear away combustibles. Keep flammable materials at least 5 feet from your home and 30 feet from decks, overhangs, and wood piles. Avoid outdoor furniture that easily catches fire, like wicker or untreated hardwood. For more ideas, check out this CalFire guide on creating a defensible space.

Keep the yard clean. Regularly remove dead leaves, pine needles, and plants from gutters, under decking, and within 30 feet of your home. If possible, trim tree branches at least 10 feet from chimneys and other trees, and clear overhanging branches from your roof. Use gravel or stone mulch instead of organic material, and keep grass no higher than 4 inches. 

Landscape with fire in mind. Plants with lots of waxes, oils, and resins are not good choices because they’re more likely to catch fire, CalFire says. In contrast, plants with a higher moisture content in the leaves, are better suited to resist fire. But where you place your plants—and how well you prune, maintain, and clean up dead and dry foliage—is just as important. “Landscaping practices . . . can have a greater impact on whether a plant ignites than does the type of plant it is,” CalFire advises. Instead of relying on a fire-resistant plant list, consult a local nursery, landscape contractor, or cooperative extension service for the best options for your area.

Hardscape right. Add fire breaks using gravel, decomposed granite, or stone walls to slow a fire’s spread.