Check your risk
- CAL FIREFire Hazard Severity Zone map
Look up your address to see whether your home is in a Moderate, High or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. Your zone affects which rules apply to your home.
Official home hardening guides
- CAL FIREHome Hardening
California's official guide to how roofs, vents, windows, siding and decks resist embers and flame, with a link to a free self-assessment.
- IBHSWildfire Prepared Home: How-To Prepare Checklist
The research group behind the Wildfire Prepared Home designation, with a step-by-step checklist of science-based upgrades.
- California Department of InsuranceSafer from Wildfires
The state's list of home and property mitigation actions insurers recognize. Under state rules, insurers that factor wildfire risk into your rate must give credit for these measures, tell you your wildfire risk score, and explain how much each step would lower your premium. Ask your insurer for that explanation.
Buying or selling a home
- Fireproof Homes guideAB 38: wildfire disclosures when you sell a California home
What sellers in high and very high fire hazard zones must provide: the defensible space inspection, the home hardening disclosure, and the buyer agreement if it isn't done by closing.
Get ready to evacuate
- CAL FIREReady for Wildfire: Ready, Set, Go!
California's official guide to preparing your home, packing a go bag and leaving early when a fire threatens.
Work with your neighbors
- NFPAFirewise USA
A national program that helps neighbors work together to reduce wildfire risk. In California, Firewise community status can count toward insurance discounts with some insurers.
Videos worth watching
- Video · CAL FIRE and IBHSHome hardening demonstration burn
Two structures side by side, one hardened against wildfire and one not, exposed to the same fire. It shows in minutes what this whole site is about.
- Video · CAL FIREWildfire-ready landscaping: how Zone 0 can help your home survive
A homeowner builds a five-foot ember-resistant zone and keeps an attractive yard.
- Video · Marin Wildfire and Fire Safe MarinReduce the risk: install fire-resistant vents
A hands-on look at covering vents to keep embers out. Check ventilation and local code before changing your vents.
Find local help
Coming soon: vetted local contractors. We're building a list of licensed contractors in California who do home hardening work, from ember-resistant vents and gutter guards to Class A roofs and defensible space clearing.
Until then, your local fire department is the best place to start. Many offer free defensible space inspections.
Are you a contractor? If you do wildfire mitigation work in California and want to be considered, email hello@fireproofhomes.com.
Free download
The Fireproof Homes Wildfire Guide
A one-page walk-around checklist plus every guide on this site, in one printable PDF.
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