Wildfire advocates are pushing the latest science on wildfires toward hardened homes instead of relying only on brush clearance. This article explains why. Locally, during the Freeway Complex Fire (2008), embers flew miles ahead of the flame front and damaged or destroyed over 300 homes in three counties. View the San Gabriel Valley Tribune.
There are quite a few helpful tips for homeowners on how to harden your home, including suggestions on: roof tops, windows, vegetation, gutters, decks, chimneys, fencing, etc. Brush clearance helps, but hardening your home provides fewer places for embers to intrude and catch your home on fire. “The state is trying to pull away from the term ‘brush clearance’ and change the mind-set,” says Assistant Chief J. Lopez. “Clearing brush is going to help, but that puts the blame on … Read More