Home Hardening.
It's not where you live, it's how you live.
Most homes lost to wildfire don’t ignite from a wall of flames. They ignite because a single wind-driven ember finds a weak spot. Follow the Ember is a simple way to harden your home: imagine one glowing ember landing on, rolling against, or being pulled into your house.
Where could it get in? Where could it ignite something?
If an ember can land on it, melt it, sneak through it, or lodge in it — you need to fix it. Fixing those small vulnerabilities is the fastest way to reduce wildfire risk.
This guide helps you “follow the ember” around your home to find the weak points where wind-driven embers can land, lodge, or sneak inside. With a few upgrades, you can turn your home into a far safer, wildfire-ready structure. Because in fire country, it’s not where you live — it’s how you live.
Wildfires don’t care if your house is on a ridge or in a suburban street—embers can travel miles. The good news? Protecting your home doesn’t require big budgets or contractors. Small, consistent actions make a difference when it comes to ember intrusion.
Follow the Ember
Roof Covering and Roof Edges
Project Overview
Most homes lost to wildfire ignite from the top down. Embers don’t behave like flames — they rain down, collect, and smolder. Your roof and its edges are the first place embers land, and once ignition starts here, fire spreads quickly into the structure.​
IBHS: Why This Area Is Vulnerable
IBHS identifies the roof as the most vulnerable ignition surface during ember storms, especially along edges, valleys, and penetrations.
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IBHS Aligned Projects
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Confirm or upgrade to Class A roofing
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Seal flashing, skylights, and roof penetrations
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Keep roof edges and valleys free of debris
Supplies
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Class A roofing
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Flashings
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Fire-Rated Sealants
Buy Supplies
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Class A roofing materials and resources: gaf.com
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Metal roofing supplies: metalroofingalliance.com
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Clay, concrete, stone roof tile: roofle.com
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Fire-rated sealant: sika.com
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Roof and gutter clean-out tools: roofrazor.com
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Altadena / IBHS / Firewise Ratings
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Altadena: Class A roofing required in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone
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IBHS: Highest-priority mitigation
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Firewise: Roof ignition resistance encouraged
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Deep Dive
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UC ANR Fire Network
The roof is your home’s first line of defense against wildfire—University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources Fire Network resources explain how fire-resistant materials, proper maintenance, and ember-resistant design can dramatically reduce ignition risk.
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IBHS
Research from the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety demonstrates that well-maintained, fire-rated roofing assemblies—kept free of debris and properly sealed at edges and vents—are one of the most critical factors in preventing home ignition during wind-driven ember storms.
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CAL FIRE
Take the Home Hardening Self-Assessment to see how prepared your property is for wildfire. In less than 10 minutes, this self-assessment will evaluate your home’s vulnerability to wildfire.
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CA Dept. of Housing WUI Approved Products
The listing of Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Approved Products was created to provide a directory of WUI products in compliance with Chapter 7A of the California Building Code and Chapter R337 of the California Residential Code.
The Altadena Fire Safety Council does not profit from, endorse, or recommend any of the companies, products, or brands mentioned in this guide. All products and services are provided for informational purposes only, and their use, installation, and maintenance are solely the responsibility of the homeowner or user.​
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Gutters and Gutter Guards
Project Overview
Gutters quietly create one of the most common wildfire ignition points. Leaves and needles act like kindling, igniting embers directly beneath roof edges and fascia.
IBHS: Why This Area Is Vulnerable
IBHS loss investigations consistently identify burning debris-filled gutters as a leading cause of roof edge ignition. Clean, protected gutters prevent embers from igniting accumulated fuels at the roofline.​
IBHS Aligned Projects
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Install ember-resistant metal gutter guards
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Pair with non-combustible fascia and soffits
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Maintain gutters free of leaves and needles
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Remove debris regularly
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Supplies
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Aluminum or steel gutter guards
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Gutter cleaning tools
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Leaf blower
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Buy Supplies
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Micro-mesh gutter guards: gutterglove.com
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Stainless steel gutter guard: valorgutterguards.com
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No-ladder gutter cleaner: guttersense.com
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Gutter systems: amerimax.com
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Fire-resistant gutter guards – firestormbuildingproducts.com
Altadena / IBHS / Firewise Ratings
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Altadena: Gutter maintenance is enforceable
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IBHS: High ignition frequency
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Firewise: Maintenance emphasized
Deep Dive
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UC ANR Fire Network
The UC ANR Fire Network provides research-based guidance on maintaining and hardening gutters—especially keeping them clear of debris and using noncombustible materials—to reduce ember ignition risk during wildfires.
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CAL FIRE
Take the Home Hardening Self-Assessment to see how prepared your property is for wildfire. In less than 10 minutes, this self-assessment will evaluate your home’s vulnerability to wildfire.
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CA Dept. of Housing WUI Approved Products
The listing of Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Approved Products was created to provide a directory of WUI products in compliance with Chapter 7A of the California Building Code and Chapter R337 of the California Residential Code.
Fire Safe Marin
The Fire Safe Marin gutters section highlights how keeping gutters clear of leaves and debris—and using noncombustible materials or covers—helps prevent embers from igniting one of the most vulnerable edges of a home during a wildfire.
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The Altadena Fire Safety Council does not profit from, endorse, or recommend any of the companies, products, or brands mentioned in this guide. All products and services are provided for informational purposes only, and their use, installation, and maintenance are solely the responsibility of the homeowner or user.
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Soffits and Eaves
Project Overview
Soffits are where homes quietly fail. Open or combustible eaves act like shelves for embers and provide direct access to attics — often leading to total loss even when the exterior survives.
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IBHS: Why This Area Is Vulnerable
IBHS identifies enclosed eaves and soffits as a critical defense against ember intrusion. Open eaves allow embers to lodge on combustible surfaces or enter attic spaces, significantly increasing ignition risk during wildfire events. IBHS identifies open eaves as a critical ember entry pathway into attic spaces.IBHS Aligned Projects
Soffits-
Replace wood soffits with non-combustible materials.
Eaves-
Enclose open eaves with non-combustible soffit materials
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Seal seams and joints at roof-wall intersections
Supplies-
Fiber cement or aluminum soffit panels
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Fire-rated sealant
Buy Supplies
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Fiber-cement soffit panels: jameshardie.com
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Fiber-cement soffit panels: allurausa.com
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Aluminum soffit panels: rollex.com
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Fire-rated sealant: usa.sika.com
Altadena / IBHS / Firewise Ratings
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Altadena: Ignition-resistant soffits required for new builds
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IBHS: Very high ROI upgrade
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Firewise: Ember exclusion supported
Deep Dive
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UC ANR Fire Network
The UC ANR Fire Network eaves section explains how enclosing and hardening open eaves helps prevent wind-driven embers from entering attics—one of the most common pathways for home ignition during wildfires.
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CAL FIRE
Take the Home Hardening Self-Assessment to see how prepared your property is for wildfire. In less than 10 minutes, this self-assessment will evaluate your home’s vulnerability to wildfire.
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CA Dept. of Housing WUI Approved Products
The listing of Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Approved Products was created to provide a directory of WUI products in compliance with Chapter 7A of the California Building Code and Chapter R337 of the California Residential Code.
Fire Safe Marin
Fire Safe Marin’s soffit guidance emphasizes that soffits are a critical but often overlooked wildfire vulnerability because they sit under roof overhangs where embers and hot gases can accumulate and enter the attic. Their hardening recommendations focus on enclosing eaves with noncombustible, ember-resistant soffit materials, sealing gaps that allow ember intrusion, and ensuring soffits are properly vented with ember-resistant vents or fine metal mesh to maintain airflow without sacrificing protection.
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The Altadena Fire Safety Council does not profit from, endorse, or recommend any of the companies, products, or brands mentioned in this guide. All products and services are provided for informational purposes only, and their use, installation, and maintenance are solely the responsibility of the homeowner or user.
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Fascia Boards
Project Overview
Fascia boards sit at the intersection of roof, gutters, and siding — exactly where embers collect. Wood fascia can ignite even when the roof itself survives. Replace all combustible fascia boards with noncombustible, ignition-resistant materials such as fiber cement or metal fascia systems, and integrate sealed metal flashing at the roof edge to eliminate ember intrusion pathways between roof decking, fascia, and rafter tails.
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IBHS: Why This Area Is Vulnerable
IBHS testing shows roof-edge materials are exposed to high ember density and radiant heat. IBHS emphasizes reducing combustible materials at the roof edge, where embers commonly accumulate. Embers often ignite debris or wood at the roof edge. Non-combustible fascia removes that ignition source.​
IBHS Aligned Projects
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Replace wood fascia with fiber-cement boards
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Wrap existing fascia with aluminum
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Seal fascia-to-roof and fascia-to-soffit joints
Supplies
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Aluminum fascia wrap
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Fiber-cement fascia
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Exterior fire-rated sealant
Buy Supplies
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Aluminum Fascia Wrap: metalroofingscrews.com
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Fiber cement fascia: jameshardie.com
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Fiber cement fascia: allurausa.com
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Aluminum fascia wrap: rollex.com
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Aluminum soffit panels: schillings.com
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Fire-rated sealant: usa.sika.com
Altadena / IBHS / Firewise Ratings
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Altadena: Combustible roof edges discouraged
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IBHS: Roofline ignition reduction
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Firewise: Structural hardening encouraged
Deep Dive
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CAL FIRE
Take the Home Hardening Self-Assessment to see how prepared your property is for wildfire. In less than 10 minutes, this self-assessment will evaluate your home’s vulnerability to wildfire.
​
CA Dept. of Housing WUI Approved Products
The listing of Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Approved Products was created to provide a directory of WUI products in compliance with Chapter 7A of the California Building Code and Chapter R337 of the California Residential Code.
The Altadena Fire Safety Council does not profit from, endorse, or recommend any of the companies, products, or brands mentioned in this guide. All products and services are provided for informational purposes only, and their use, installation, and maintenance are solely the responsibility of the homeowner or user.
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Attic, Crawlspace and Garage Vents
Project Overview
Vents, gaps, and openings are the most common ember entry points. Vents are designed for airflow — but standard vents also allow embers to pass through and ignite fires inside enclosed spaces, often unseen until it’s too late.IBHS: Why This Area Is Vulnerable
IBHS confirms ember intrusion through vents is a frequent cause of interior ignition. IBHS testing shows that standard vents allow embers to enter attics, leading to interior ignition.IBHS Aligned Projects
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Install ember-resistant vents meeting current performance standards
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Install 1/8" or smaller corrosion-resistant metal mesh where appropriate
Supplies
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Ember-resistant WUI-listed vents
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1/8" or smaller corrosion-resistant metal mesh
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Exterior fire-rated sealant
Buy Supplies
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Soffit, Gable & Foundation Vents: vulcanvents.com
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WUI-Rated Ember Vents: brandguardvents.com
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Soffit, Gable & Foundation Vents: embersout.com
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1/8” & 1/16” Stainless Steel Mesh: wildfiredefensemesh.com
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Stainless Hardware Cloth: mcmaster.com
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High-Grade Sealants: grainger.com
Altadena / IBHS / Firewise Ratings
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Altadena: Ember-resistant vents required in VHFHSZ
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IBHS: Proven ignition pathway
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Firewise: Vent hardening recommended
Deep Dive
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UC ANR Fire Network
The UC ANR Fire Network explains that vents are one of the most vulnerable entry points for wildfire embers, which can be carried by wind and enter attics, crawlspaces, and wall cavities—often igniting homes from the inside.
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CAL FIRE
Take the Home Hardening Self-Assessment to see how prepared your property is for wildfire. In less than 10 minutes, this self-assessment will evaluate your home’s vulnerability to wildfire.
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CA Dept. of Housing WUI Approved Products
The listing of Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Approved Products was created to provide a directory of WUI products in compliance with Chapter 7A of the California Building Code and Chapter R337 of the California Residential Code.
Fire Safe Marin
Fire Safe Marin’s vent research highlights that roof, soffit, foundation, and gable vents are one of the most common entry points for wind-blown embers during wildfire events, making them a critical focus for home hardening. Fire Safe Marin frames vent hardening as a high-impact, relatively low-cost retrofit strategy that significantly reduces ignition risk when combined with other measures, like roof and gutter maintenance, forming part of a broader “defensible space + home hardening” wildfire resilience approach.
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IBHS Vent Testing
Since 2010, the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) has conducted systematic research to understand how wind-driven embers enter buildings through attic vents—one of the most vulnerable points in a structure.
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The Altadena Fire Safety Council does not profit from, endorse, or recommend any of the companies, products, or brands mentioned in this guide. All products and services are provided for informational purposes only, and their use, installation, and maintenance are solely the responsibility of the homeowner or user.
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Exterior Walls and Siding
Project Overview
Exterior walls are exposed to both embers and radiant heat. When combustible siding ignites, flames can climb vertically and breach windows or eaves.
IBHS: Why This Area Is Vulnerable
IBHS identifies combustible siding as a contributor to radiant heat ignition.
IBHS Aligned Projects
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Replace damaged siding
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Seal all penetrations
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Maintain ignition-resistant finishes
Supplies
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Ignition-resistant fiber-cement siding
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Patch compound
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Fire-rated sealant
Buy Supplies
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Fiber cement shingle, shake, board & batten, panel, and plank siding: jameshardie.com
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Fiber cement shingles, lap siding, and panels: allurausa.com
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Fire-rated sealant: usa.sika.com
Altadena / IBHS / Firewise Ratings
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Altadena: CBC Chapter 7A wall standards
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IBHS: Radiant heat mitigation
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Firewise: Wall vulnerability reduction
Deep Dive
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UC ANR Fire Network
The UC ANR Fire Network’s siding and exterior wall guidance focuses on how homes can be made more resistant to wildfire exposure through smarter material choices, installation details, and maintenance practices. This section explains how siding can be vulnerable to direct flame contact, embers, and radiant heat, and highlights practical upgrades that significantly reduce the likelihood of fire penetration into the home.
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CAL FIRE
Take the Home Hardening Self-Assessment to see how prepared your property is for wildfire. In less than 10 minutes, this self-assessment will evaluate your home’s vulnerability to wildfire.
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CA Dept. of Housing WUI Approved Products
The listing of Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Approved Products was created to provide a directory of WUI products in compliance with Chapter 7A of the California Building Code and Chapter R337 of the California Residential Code.
Fire Safe Marin
Fire Safe Marin’s fire-resistant siding guidance explains that siding falls into three broad categories—combustible, ignition-resistant, and noncombustible—and highlights that materials like fiber-cement, stucco, and metal offer the highest level of protection. It also notes that while wood and vinyl siding are more vulnerable, fire performance is influenced not just by the material itself but by details like joints, gaps, and overall wall assembly.
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The Altadena Fire Safety Council does not profit from, endorse, or recommend any of the companies, products, or brands mentioned in this guide. All products and services are provided for informational purposes only, and their use, installation, and maintenance are solely the responsibility of the homeowner or user.
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Windows, Doors and Garage Doors
Project Overview
Openings are where ember-resistant construction often fails. Small gaps, weak glass, or poor seals allow embers inside even when walls remain intact.
IBHS: Why This Area Is Vulnerable
IBHS shows single-pane glass fails rapidly under radiant heat. Door and window weather stripping blocks ember entry, as does a metal dryer vent with a flap or louvers that close when not in use.
IBHS Aligned Projects
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Install door sweeps and weather stripping
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Seal frames and gaps
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Install a metal dryer vent with closing louvers or a flap
Supplies
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Door sweeps
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Weather stripping
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Metal dryer vent
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Fire-rated sealant
Buy Supplies
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Weather stripping: frostking.com
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All-Metal Exterior Vent: dryerwallvent.com
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Metal Dryer Vent Kits: betterventing.com
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Fire-rated sealant: usa.sika.com
Altadena / IBHS / Firewise Ratings
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Altadena: Tempered glazing required for new builds
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IBHS: Interior ignition prevention
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Firewise: Gap sealing encouraged
Deep Dive
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UC ANR Fire Network
The UC ANR Fire Network section on windows explains that windows are a key wildfire vulnerability because they can break under radiant heat, direct flame exposure, or debris impacts, allowing embers and fire to enter the home. To reduce risk, the guidance recommends upgrading to dual-pane tempered glass windows, removing vegetation near windows, and using shutters or protective coverings during fire events.
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CAL FIRE
Take the Home Hardening Self-Assessment to see how prepared your property is for wildfire. In less than 10 minutes, this self-assessment will evaluate your home’s vulnerability to wildfire.
​
CA Dept. of Housing WUI Approved Products
The listing of Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Approved Products was created to provide a directory of WUI products in compliance with Chapter 7A of the California Building Code and Chapter R337 of the California Residential Code.
Fire Safe Marin
Fire Safe Marin’s windows guidance focuses on reducing the likelihood that wildfire heat, embers, or flame exposure will break or open windows—since once glass fails, embers can easily enter the home and ignite interior materials. Fire Safe Marin emphasizes that upgrading to dual-pane tempered windows and reducing ignition sources around openings are key steps in preventing window failure and ember entry during a wildfire.
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​The Altadena Fire Safety Council does not profit from, endorse, or recommend any of the companies, products, or brands mentioned in this guide. All products and services are provided for informational purposes only, and their use, installation, and maintenance are solely the responsibility of the homeowner or user.
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Immediate 0–5 Foot Zone
Project Overview
The first five feet around your home matter more than the next 95. This zone is where embers pile up, radiant heat concentrates, and small fires become structural losses.
IBHS: Why This Area Is Vulnerable
IBHS identifies the 0–5 zone as the highest ignition-risk area.
IBHS Aligned Projects
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Remove mulch and combustibles
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Install gravel or hardscape
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Replace plastic hoses and furniture
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Invest in perimeter ember defense tools like sprinklers, pool pumps, and fire hoses
Supplies
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Non-combustible ground cover like gravel, decomposed granite, or pebbles
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Non-combustible concrete or stone pavers
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Stainless steel hose
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Fire Hose
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Metal outdoor storage containers
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Perimeter ember defense tools
Buy Supplies
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Fire Hose: firehosedirect.com
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Metal Garden Hose: garrettwade.com
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Ember Defense Nozzles, Pumps: brushfirebattlesystems.com
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Perimeter Sprinkler Heads: frontlinewildfire.com
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All-Metal Outdoor Storage Cabinets: permasteel.life
Altadena / IBHS / Firewise Ratings
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Altadena: PRC §4291 enforced
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IBHS: Highest ignition reduction potential
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Firewise: Core Home Ignition Zone focus
Deep Dive
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UC ANR Fire Network
The UC ANR Fire Network Defensible Space section explains how creating and maintaining well-managed zones around a home, by reducing flammable vegetation and spacing plants appropriately, significantly improves a structure’s chance of surviving wildfire exposure.
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Fire Safe Marin
Fire Safe Marin’s defensible space guidance explains how to reduce wildfire risk by strategically managing vegetation, spacing plants, and removing flammable materials in zones around the home to slow or stop the spread of fire and improve structure survivability.
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IBHS Perimeter Research
Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety home ignition zone studies show that reducing flammable materials within the first 0–5 feet around a structure, along with coordinated maintenance of vegetation and building features out to 100 feet, is the most effective way to prevent embers from igniting homes during wildfires.
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CAL FIRE Defensible Space
CAL FIRE’s Ready for Wildfire defensible space guidance explains that creating and maintaining up to 100 feet of well-managed vegetation separation around your home—organized into zones that reduce fuels and remove dead or flammable material—is essential to slow wildfire spread, protect structures, and provide firefighters a safer area to defend properties.
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​The Altadena Fire Safety Council does not profit from, endorse, or recommend any of the companies, products, or brands mentioned in this guide. All products and services are provided for informational purposes only, and their use, installation, and maintenance are solely the responsibility of the homeowner or user.
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Deep Dive
The Wildfire Prepared Home™ designation program empowers homeowners to take science-based, proven steps to meaningfully reduce wildfire risk to their home and property.
The Wildfire Prepared Home (IBHS)
Ready for Wildfire is CAL FIRE’s public education portal offering clear, homeowner-friendly steps to harden homes against wildfire. It features checklists, visuals, and preparedness tools designed for residents in fire-prone areas.
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Ready for Wildfire (CAL FIRE)
UC ANR delivers science-based wildfire mitigation research covering landscaping, building materials, and ember intrusion pathways. Their publications translate university research into practical recommendations for homeowners.
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University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR)
Fire Safe Marin
Fire Safe Marin’s mission is to educate Marin's community about the dangers of wildfires and what homeowners can do to help save lives, protect homes, and create a resilient environment.
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NFPA Firewise USA®
Firewise USA is a national program that helps neighborhoods organize and implement wildfire risk reduction strategies. The site outlines community-based approaches to defensible space, education, and collective action.
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Oregon State University Extension Service
Oregon State University Extension provides region-specific wildfire preparedness guidance grounded in academic research. Their resources focus on fire-resistant landscaping, home retrofits, and rural property risk reduction.
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