Home Hardening

Home Hardening: Protecting Your Napa Valley Home from Wildfire

Wildfire is a reality in Napa County. Embers carried by the wind destroy far more homes than flames that burn directly against a structure. Research shows that 60–90% of homes lost in wildfires ignite from embers, not from the main fire front.

The good news: there are proven steps you can take to reduce risk. By combining defensible space with home hardening upgrades, you can dramatically improve the chance that your home and neighborhood survive a wildfire.

How Wildfires Ignite Homes

Wildfires threaten homes in three main ways:

  • Wind-blown embers – burning debris carried more than a mile through the air.
  • Radiant heat – intense heat from nearby burning materials.
  • Direct flames – fire spreading directly to the structure.

Of these, embers are the greatest danger. They can enter through vents, ignite debris in gutters, or set fire to fences, decks, and vegetation near the home. Protecting the area around your home is just as important as hardening the structure itself.

Learn more about creating defensible space ⟶

The Home Ignition Zone (HIZ)

Your home’s vulnerability isn’t just about the structure itself. It’s about everything within 200 feet of your foundation — called the Home Ignition Zone (HIZ).

By managing this area, you greatly reduce the chance that embers, heat, or flames will find fuel to ignite your home.

graphic image of the Home Ignition Zone (HIZ)

Home Hardening Upgrades

Even with defensible space, homes are still vulnerable if building materials aren’t fire-resistant. Key upgrades include:

graphic illustration of vents and eaves

Vents & Eaves

  • Cover vents with ⅛-inch (or finer) metal mesh to block embers.
  • Enclose open eaves to prevent heat and flame entry.
graphic of roof and gutter of a home

Roofs & Gutters

  • Install a Class A roof (asphalt fiberglass shingles, tile, or metal).
  • Clean leaves and debris from roofs and gutters.
  • Use noncombustible gutter guards and drip edges.
graphic illustration of siding and window

Siding & Windows

  • Replace combustible siding with stucco, fiber cement, or metal.
  • Choose dual-pane tempered glass windows for heat resistance.
  • Install noncombustible shutters if buildings are close together.
graphic illustration of deck with fencing

Decks & Fences

  • Keep the area under decks free of vegetation and debris.
  • Upgrade the first 5 feet of fencing near the home to a noncombustible material.
  • Store cushions, furniture, and other combustibles away during fire season.
graphic illustration of garage door with chimney to the side

Garages & Chimneys

  • Seal garage doors to keep out embers; add a battery backup for emergencies.
  • Screen chimneys with noncombustible mesh.
  • Close garage and chimney flues when wildfire threatens.
graphic illustration of sprinklers on a roof

Engineered Systems