Thousands of wildfires strike California every year so it's important to prepare your property and your family. Here are some tips from the California Department of Forestry & Fire Protection:
Create a defensible Space: It's the buffer that homeowners are required to create on their property between a structure and the plants, brush and trees. This space is needed to slow the spread of wildfire and improves firefighter safety.
Zone 1 - Extends 30 feet from buildings, decks and other structures:
Remove all dead plants, grass and weeds
Remove dead or dry leaves & pine needles from yard, roof, deck and rain gutters
Trim trees regularly and remove dead branches
Relocate exposed woodpiles away from structures
Remove vegetation and items that could catch fire from around and under decks
Zone 2 - Extends 30 to 100 feet from building and other structures
Cut or mow annual grass down to a max height of 4 inches
Create horizontal spacing between shrubs and trees
Create vertical spacing between grass, shrubs and trees
Remove fallen leaves, needles, twigs, bark cones, and small branches
Tips for building or remodeling:
Roof: Your roof is the most vulnerable part of your home. Build or re-roof with materials such as composition, metal or tile. Block any spaces to prevent embers from entering and starting a fire
Vents: Cover all vent openings with 1/8 inch to 1/4 inch metal mesh
Windows: Install dual paned windows and limit number of windows that face large areas of vegetation
Decks: Spaces within 10 feet of the building should be built with ignition-resistant,, non-combustible, or other approved materials
Eaves & Soffits, patio cover & fences: Should be protected with ignition resistant or non-combustible materials
Rain Gutters: Screen or enclose rain gutters to prevent accumulation of plant debris
Source: ReadyForWildfire.org - California Department of Forestry & Fire Protection