Wildfire Awareness Month | Tips to prepare

||| FROM ANGIE REQUENA for DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES |||

Home Hardening (Low-Cost): 

1. Clean gutters and roofs – Remove dry leaves, pine needles, and debris regularly. 
2. Install metal mesh on vents – Use 1/8” mesh to prevent embers from entering the attic and crawl space vents. 
3. Seal gaps – Use fire-resistant caulk to close gaps around windows, doors, and siding. 
4. Use ember-resistant screens – Replace or retrofit old screens on windows with fine metal mesh.

Defensible Space (Budget-Friendly Landscaping): 

1. Create a 5-ft noncombustible zone – Use lava rock, gravel, stone, or bare soil directly around your home. 
2. Trim branches – Keep tree limbs at least ten feet away from your roof and chimney. 
3. Mow and clear dry grass – Maintain well-watered lawn under four inches and remove dead plants or leaves. 
4. Move firewood and flammable items – Keep at least thirty feet from the home. 
5. Use fire-resistant plants – Replace highly flammable shrubs like juniper with low-resin native plants like Oregon grape.

Community Resources: 

1. Check with local fire departments – Many offer free home assessments or chipping services. 
2. Join Wildfire Ready Neighbors to get a free custom plan at: WildfireReady.com.