Tips for Protecting Your Property Against Wildfires

Wildfires can be a major threat for some areas of the country. If your home is in an area that is frequently at risk of experiencing one of these fires, it is important to take steps to protect your home. For those that are unfamiliar with fire mitigation techniques, there are three tips that may help your home avoid damage during a wildfire event.

Protect the Roof

The roof can be one of the first parts of a house to catch on fire during a wildfire. This is due to the fact that there will be many burning embers that become airborne. If these embers land on the roof, they can cause it to ignite, which could quickly spread throughout the house.

You can minimize the risk of your roof catching on fire by opting for materials that are extremely resistant to fire. In particular, metal roofing and stone or cement tiles are among the most fire resistant options that you can choose.

Opt for Fireproof Siding

In addition to keeping the roof safe, you will also need to protect the sides of your house against this airborne embers. This is particularly true for those that live in homes that are made of wood or other flammable materials. Fortunately, you can use a fire resistant siding to help minimize the risk of the house igniting. Fiber-cement and composite siding are among the most effective, but the fire resistance rating can vary greatly from one type to another. As a result, you will want to review this rating for any options you are considering so that you choose the one that will provide the most protection. Luckily, there are some states that offer tax incentives for those that make wildfire mitigation upgrades to their properties, and this can help to defray your out-of-pocket expenses for this siding.

Create a Firestop Around the Perimeter of the House

Preventing or slowing the spread of a wildfire across your property is essential for minimizing the damage that is caused. Sadly, many people will simply assume that there is no way for them to effectively slow one of these fires. However, you may find that you can use paving and masonry to create a firestop around your property. Furthermore, you can install a high capacity irrigation system so that you can saturate your property to minimize the ability of embers to spread the flames. While these steps will not be able to completely stop the most powerful wildfires, it can buy your property valuable time for the local authorities to get the blaze contained and extinguished.