When we talk about defending our homes from wildfire, we often focus on the main house—but detached structures like sheds, garages, and ADUs can be just as critical. These secondary buildings can become ignition sources during a wildfire and may even spread fire to your primary home if they’re not protected.

For California homeowners—especially in high-risk fire zones like Orinda, Lafayette, Moraga, and the Oakland Hills—fireproofing these outbuildings should be part of your wildfire defense strategy.

When it comes to protecting your home from wildfires, one of the most crucial steps you can take is home hardening. With the increasing frequency of wildfires in California, particularly in areas like Berkeley, Oakland, Orinda, and Moraga, hardening your home is no longer just an option—it’s a necessity. This blog will walk you through the essential aspects of home hardening, why it's important, and how you can implement key fire-resistant features to keep your home safe.

Wildfire evacuations happen fast. Sometimes you have hours to prepare; sometimes, it’s only minutes. That’s why every California household—especially those in the East Bay—should have a clear, practiced evacuation plan.

A fire-safe perimeter is a defensible space that reduces the amount of combustible material around your property, thereby decreasing the chances of a fire spreading to your home. This space typically includes a combination of landscape management, fire-resistant materials, and maintenance practices.

In the wildfire-prone regions of Alameda and Contra Costa Counties, California, protecting your home from ember attacks is crucial. Embers—small, windborne burning particles—are responsible for igniting the majority of homes during wildfires. As climate change intensifies fire seasons, hardening your home against these embers is more important than ever. This blog will explore the best methods and materials for hardening your home against ember attacks and radiant heat.

When preparing your home for a wildfire, one of the most important steps is selecting the right building materials. Unfortunately, not all materials are created equal, and some can increase the vulnerability of your home during a wildfire. This blog will outline the top 10 materials to avoid in wildfire zones, helping you make informed choices when protecting your home.

When defending your home against wildfires, no area is more critical than the first 5 feet: Zone 0. This zone is where embers land, where flammable materials accumulate, and where ignition often begins. But the good news is that you don’t need to undertake a complete rebuild to make meaningful changes—you just need to choose the right fire-resistant materials.

Learn how ember attacks ignite homes during wildfires and what you can do to protect your property. This blog covers strategies for preventing ember damage, including home hardening, landscaping, and fire-resistant materials.

Learn the essential steps of home hardening to protect your property from wildfires. This blog covers fire-resistant materials, wildfire mitigation strategies, and home improvements specific to Berkeley’s EMBER program.

 Learn about fire-resistant landscaping and how it can help protect your Berkeley home from wildfires. This guide covers the best plants, materials, and strategies to create a fire-safe landscape around your home.

Learn about Berkeley’s new EMBER program and its wildfire safety regulations. Understand the key requirements for homeowners and how to protect your home with defensible space, home hardening, and ember mitigation.