Home Hardening - Key principles

Start at the roof and work down

Class A, fire-rated roofing (metal, composite, tile) is your first shield.
Keep it clean—no leaf or needle build-up in valleys, gutters, or skylight wells.

Block ember entry points

Install ember-resistant (⅛-inch mesh) vents; box in open eaves.
Use dual-pane tempered glass or exterior shutters to stop radiant heat from shattering windows.

Create a non-combustible "zero-to-five-foot" zone

Replace wood mulch with gravel or DG, store firewood 30 ft away, and swap flammable plants for green, low-resin species.
Hardscape right up to walls with pavers or concrete where practical.
Replace any wood trellises, gates, or fences that touch the house with iron or other non-combustible material, within 5' of the house.

Treat decks and walls as fuel sources unless upgraded

Use ignition-resistant decking or apply an intumescent coating.
Re-sheathe old wood siding with fire-rated fiber-cement or stucco; seal gaps where walls meet the foundation.

Maintain defensible space beyond the home

Limb trees, thin understory shrubs, and keep grasses cut below 4 inches in the 5-30 ft and 30-100 ft zones.
Annual brush clearance isn’t just regulation—it’s insurance for your insurance.

Why it matters

Survivability: Studies by IBHS and CAL FIRE show hard-hardened homes are up to 80% more likely to withstand wildfire.
Insurance & resale: Many carriers now require proof of mitigation; hardened features can reduce premiums and boost market value.
Community shield: One hardened house lowers risk for the whole block, creating a “herd-immunity” effect.

What's Next

Topanga Volunteer Fire & Forestry has partnered with several organizations to offer free Home Ignition Zone evaluations and a step-by-step retrofit checklist.

Check our list of partners:

Schedule a visit, prioritize the easy wins first (gutters, vents, landscaping), then tackle larger upgrades over time. Every improvement counts—and the best day to start is before the next Red Flag Warning.