The website is organized to give you an opportunity to make changes to your home and the surroundings to reduce the possibility of damage from wildfires. Some of the changes can be done very quickly and relatively inexpensively. Others may require more effort, expense, and, in some cases, professional help.
The main part of the website begins with a list of features or parts that are of concern. If you click on any of these parts, you will go through a series of visual and text information on the specific item (say the roof or siding) that includes a definition of the possible problems and a discussion of potential solutions.
 | This project was completed in cooperation with the Advanced Housing Research Center of the USDA Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory in Madison, Wisconsin. |
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Decks
By decks, we are including all types of horizontal walkways, including landings, porches, and patios that are directly connected or very close to a house. Decks are described by the surface that you walk on (called the deck covering).
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Fences
Fences (and walls) are both decorative and functional (for security and privacy) and come in many materials and configurations. While we have no laboratory fire test data on fences,there are a number of observations that indicate fences--like plants--are a much greater hazard close to a house.
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Garages
When houses are surveyed for wildfire vulnerabilities, quite often the garage is not considered even though it could be the most hazardous aspect of the house.
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Parcels
The general surroundings of your home and any detached buildings can have a major impact on vulnerability to wildfire. The first step to take is to contact your local fire station get their help in identifying problems in both your neighborhood and on your parcel.
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Plants
While plants close to a building can be a major fire hazard, those farther away can also serve as buffers against radiation and convective heat, and fire brands.
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Roofs and Gutters
In this section, we discuss the flat or sloped covering over your house. This would include the living space, garage (if covered), and deck (if covered).
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Siding
Siding (cladding) is an important esthetic attribute for houses, but it also has a key role as part of a protective enclosure to help shed rain, while permitting excessive vapor to move through and out of the house, as shown in the photo below.
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Trees
Trees often get a bad rap because of the potential to spread fire in the crown, but that is seldom a hazard to structures. There are exceptions, however.
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Vents
Roof and crawlspace vents are required by most building codes, which specify the vent openings. The function of the vents is to remove excess moisture from those spaces. Moisture can enter the crawlspace from the soil or through the foundation wall from the surrounding landscape.
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Windows
In this section we will discuss the performance of windows. This would include the framing material and glass.