Preparing Your Home for Wildfire Season: Practical Steps for Peace of Mind
Wildfire season is no longer a distant concern—it’s a very real part of life for many of us living in forested and rural areas. At Steel Roots, we believe that caring for your land is part of caring for your family and community. Thoughtful preparation can make all the difference in protecting your home and creating defensible space before a fire ever starts.
Whether you’re new to land ownership or have lived on your property for decades, here are some essential steps to help you get ready for wildfire season:
1. Create a Defensible Space
Defensible space is the buffer you create between your home and the grass, trees, shrubs, or wildland areas that surround it.
Zone 1: 0–5 feet from your home
Remove all dead vegetation and leaves from roofs, gutters, decks, and around the foundation.
Keep firewood, propane tanks, and flammable materials away from the house.
Use gravel or stone mulch rather than bark next to structures.
Zone 2: 5–30 feet from your home
Trim tree branches at least 6–10 feet off the ground.
Space trees and shrubs to prevent fire from jumping between them.
Mow grass and keep vegetation low and green.
Zone 3: 30–100 feet
Remove dead trees and thin overgrown areas.
Limb up trees and reduce ladder fuels (shrubs or small trees that allow fire to climb into larger trees).
Clear access roads and driveways to allow emergency vehicles in.
2. Hardscape and Harden Your Home
Install ember-resistant vent covers.
Replace wood shake roofs with fire-resistant materials.
Enclose eaves and decks to prevent embers from collecting underneath.
Use metal or fiber-cement siding and double-pane or tempered glass windows when building or remodeling.
3. Plan for Evacuation
Make a go-bag for each family member with essentials: ID, medications, water, snacks, clothes, and important documents.
Keep a list of emergency contacts and evacuation routes.
Discuss and practice an evacuation plan with your family—especially kids.
4. Prepare Your Property for Emergency Access
Clearly mark your address with visible signage.
Ensure driveways and private roads are wide enough for fire engines and cleared of overgrowth.
Create accessible turnaround areas for large vehicles.
5. Work With Local Professionals
Even with the best intentions, managing land for fire resilience can be overwhelming. That’s where we come in.
At Steel Roots, we specialize in:
Heavy equipment mulching
Forest thinning and fuels reduction
Post-fire cleanup
Creating fire-safe driveways and walking trails
We’re a local, family-owned business rooted in stewardship and sustainability. Whether you need a one-time cleanup or a long-term forest health plan, we’re here to help make your land safer and more accessible.
Let’s Make Your Land Fire-Ready—Together
The time to prepare is now—before the smoke is in the air. A fire-resilient property doesn’t happen overnight, but each step you take reduces your risk and increases your peace of mind.
Need a consultation or help getting started? [Reach out to us here]. Let’s protect what matters most.