Fire Prevention
Protect Your Home Before Fire Season
Wildfire is a year-round threat in North County San Diego. The good news: most homes that burn in wildfires ignite not from direct flame contact, but from embers landing on vulnerable surfaces. That means the actions you take today — clearing brush, sealing vents, packing a go-bag — can make the difference between a home that survives and one that doesn't.
This guide covers the three pillars of home wildfire protection used by CAL FIRE, the NFPA, and our Firewise USA® program. Work through each section and use the checklists to track your progress.
Step 01
Defensible Space
California law (PRC 4291) requires homeowners to maintain 100 feet of defensible space around their structures. Defensible space is the buffer between your home and the grass, trees, and shrubs that surround it — giving firefighters room to work and slowing the spread of fire toward your structure. It is divided into three zones.
California law requires 100 feet of defensible space
Zone Zero — The Home Ignition Zone
0 – 5 feet from structure
Zone One — Lean, Clean & Green
5 – 30 feet from structure
Zone Two — Reduced Fuel
30 – 100 feet from structure
Step 02
Home Hardening
Research shows that most homes ignite not from direct flame contact, but from embers — firebrands that can travel a mile or more ahead of a fire front. Home hardening means identifying and sealing the vulnerable points where embers can enter or ignite your structure.
Many hardening improvements are low-cost and high-impact. Your Firewise USA® Certificate — which documents your community's hardening efforts — can be presented to your insurance carrier to qualify for California's "Safer from Wildfires" discount.
Full home hardening guide
Roof & Gutters
- Install Class A fire-rated roofing material
- Cover gutters with non-combustible gutter guards
- Clear gutters and roof of debris before fire season
- Seal gaps between roof decking and covering
Vents & Openings
- Install 1/8-inch metal mesh screening on all vents
- Replace or retrofit attic vents with ember-resistant models
- Screen foundation vents, crawl space openings, and weep holes
- Seal gaps around pipes, wires, and conduits entering the home
Windows & Doors
- Install dual-pane or tempered glass windows
- Use non-combustible window frames (metal or vinyl)
- Install weather stripping to seal gaps around doors
- Consider multi-pane skylights with non-combustible frames
Decks & Fences
- Replace wood decking with composite or non-combustible materials
- Enclose the underside of decks with non-combustible skirting
- Use non-combustible or fire-resistant fencing near the home
- Remove combustible furniture and items from decks during red flag conditions
Walls & Siding
- Use non-combustible or ignition-resistant siding (stucco, fiber cement, brick)
- Repair or replace damaged siding promptly
- Seal gaps between siding and trim
- Avoid wood siding within Zone Zero
Garage
- Install weather stripping on garage doors to prevent ember entry
- Keep garage door closed during red flag warnings
- Store flammable liquids in approved safety containers
- Clear combustible materials from garage walls and ceiling
Step 03
Emergency Preparedness
When an evacuation order comes, you may have minutes — not hours. The time to prepare is now, before fire season. Three actions every North County household should take immediately:
- Register for AlertSanDiego — the County's official emergency notification system
- Know your evacuation zone and at least two exit routes from your neighborhood
- Pack a go-bag with essentials for 72 hours — see the checklist below
Go-Bag Checklist
Documents
- ID, passports, birth certificates
- Insurance policies and agent contact
- Financial records and credit cards
- Prescription medications list
Essentials
- Water (1 gallon per person per day, 3-day supply)
- Non-perishable food (3-day supply)
- First aid kit
- Flashlight, batteries, and portable charger
Clothing & Shelter
- Change of clothes for each family member
- Sturdy shoes and work gloves
- Sleeping bag or blankets
- Rain gear
Communication
- Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
- List of emergency contacts (written)
- Copies of evacuation maps
- Whistle to signal for help
Pets & Animals
- Pet food and water (3-day supply)
- Carrier, leash, and muzzle
- Vaccination records
- Photo of you with your pet for identification
Emergency Alerts
Have You Registered for AlertSanDiego?
AlertSanDiego is the official source of information from the County of San Diego during a large-scale emergency. The system can call, text, and email you when an emergency is happening or about to happen in your area.
Further Reading
Official Guides & Resources
Take the Next Step
Join the North County Firewise Alliance to earn your Firewise Certificate, qualify for insurance discounts, and connect with neighbors who are making our community safer.