Reduce the Chance of Ember Ignition, Ease Evacuation, Protect Firefighters
January 17, 2025. By Cassy Aoyagi: We are devastated for LA’s losses and so grateful for those still fighting to save Angelenos, our homes and communities. We’re relieved to hear shelters and fire houses are stocked to the brim (we love you LA!).
January 2025 Notice: This article is designed to help those who are safe
stay that way – and protect their neighbors.
If you are navigating loss, consider waiting to read it.
If you have been asked to evacuate, Get Set and Go!
We feel the lull in wind. More humidity. With fires still burning and more Santa Anas expected next week, this weather presents a critical opportunity to get homes prepared. Does this feel like an ask to be selfish in our city’s time of need? Far from it.
Fire moves fastest and hottest in urban environments. What you do to prepare your home and property now will protect those of your neighbors and community – and our fire-worn firefighters. Have time to help a neighbor? That will help protect you too! The impact of these actions is cumulative – every home and business owner that takes them protects the next.
Quick, Cheap Home Hardening
Why harden your home first? It is the best way to reduce the changes of embers igniting it. These inexpensive options have a big impact:
- Keep Windows Closed: Yes, for air quality. This will also deny embers to the more vulnerable interior of your home. Cost: $0
- Protect Vents: While not as inviting as an open window, home vents will allow embers to gain access to your home. Replace them with ember resistant vents, add ember resistant mesh to your vents, or temporarily cover with fire rated drywall – here’s how. Cost: $5-100+ per Vent
Zone 0 Red Flag Checklist
The 5-feet closest to your home, particularly at ground level, is critical to your home’s ability to resist ignition as well as firefighters’ ability to engage a home. Take time when fire is far to accomplish the following:
- Clear:
- Remove anything stored under a deck
- Store explosives, including fertilizer, gasoline and propane, in sealed containers, distanced from homes
- Store flammables (cushions, mats and rugs, toys, tools, sails and umbrellas) similarly, or in your garage, or pool
- Move garbage cans, particularly cans with contents, into the garage – if they must remain outside, take them as far from structures as possible and seal the lid
- Remove any further tip hazards
- Clean:
- Wet and rake mulch away from the foundation, then shovel or sweep (don’t blow) litter away from the full circumference of your foundation, focus where leaf litter collects
- Remove cobwebs
- Check:
- Check your home as you round it – note where windows, skylights and doors, including garage doors, need better seals.
- Apply the most permanent solution you can – worst case scenario, use tape or plumbing sealants.
- Pre-hydrate:
- Irrigate foliage in the days before low humidity and high wind to boost its resistance and resilience to stress
- Take care with hydrating slopes, as saturated soils can destabilize
Of course, if you have more than a weekend to get prepared, we recommend consistent home maintenance, making a plan to complete more home retrofits, and consistent landscape maintenance.
We cannot guarantee spending your weekend this way will save your home. Last week’s Santa Anas unleashed ember storms that horrified even the most seasoned fire fighters. Yet, research shows each task provides some protection – without you or anyone you love staying behind.
Be as safe as you can be, LA. We love you.
