Wildfires have already caused significant damage in 2025. In January, the Eaton and Palisades fires burned nearly 40,000 acres in Los Angeles, followed by other blazes affecting North and South Carolina in March. These climate disasters are becoming more common due to ongoing droughts, intense heat, and extreme weather conditions that promote ignition. These devastating events emphasize the need for both prevention and protection measures to safeguard homes, businesses, and lives.
Effective strategies can help communities reduce fire damage and reduce future events. Here is a quick guide to safeguarding your home and community from wildfires.
Prevention: Mitigating Wildfire Risk Factors
Preventing a wildfire outbreak begins with eliminating fire hazards to establish a safe, flame-resistant environment. Here are three essential steps to reduce the risk of a fire igniting in your home and nearby community areas.
1. Create and Maintain Defensible Spaces
When a wildfire broke out in 2022 across Northern California’s Mariposa County, homes with a defensible space were six times safer and more resilient than those without one. A defensible space is a buffer zone between structures and flammable vegetation, which makes it difficult for embers to penetrate windows, vents, roofs, or crawl spaces, thereby minimizing the risk of an indoor fire. Follow this basic framework to create your own defensible space:
- Zone 1 (0–5 feet): Eliminate all combustible materials from this area and substitute them with fire-resistant landscaping options such as gravel, stone, or concrete.
- Zone 2 (5–30 feet): Trim tree branches and shrubs in this area. Remove wilted plants, leaves, and other debris. Ensure ample space between all vegetation to prevent flames from spreading quickly in the event of a fire.
- Zone 3 (30–100 feet): Clear any underbrush from this area to ensure there isn’t enough fuel for a wildfire to build momentum.
2. Use Fire-Resistant Building Materials
Opt for flame-resistant building materials whenever possible if you’re embarking on a new construction or renovation project. This approach will make the entire structure much less vulnerable to wildfires. From the roof to the foundation, consider these options:
- Substitute wooden shingles for non-combustible roofing materials like steel, aluminum, slate, or clay tiles
- Install dual-pane tempered glass windows to prevent breaking or allowing embers to infiltrate
- Choose cement, stucco, or brick instead of traditional wood panels or vinyl siding to minimize exterior flammability
- Enhance the insulation in your walls and attic using fiberglass, mineral wool, or cellular glass
3. Prioritize Outdoor Fire Safety Measures
All community members must practice outdoor fire safety to reduce the risk of accidental sparks. Since nearly 85 percent of wildfires in the U.S. are caused by humans, adhering to these precautions will help ensure that everyone contributes to minimizing flame ignitions for a less vulnerable, more fire-resilient community.
- Completely extinguish campfires—never leave them unattended for any reason
- Avoid all outdoor burning activities during high fire-risk conditions
- Keep grills, fire pits, or other open flames away from combustible vegetation
- Dispose of matches or cigarettes responsibly in a fire-safe receptacle
- Verify the seasonal regulations in your area before starting an outdoor fire
Protection: Minimizing the Extent of Wildfire Damage
These climate disasters can still happen even with the most comprehensive wildfire prevention efforts. While you may not foresee when a blaze will start, you can take steps to safeguard your home in advance, maximizing safety and reducing damage afterward.
1. Install a New Fire Sprinkler System
A fire sprinkler system is one of the most effective and reliable first lines of defense against residential fires. In response to extreme heat, this mechanism automatically releases high-pressure water to extinguish flames before they can spread. While commonly associated with interior fire protection, many homeowners install exterior sprinkler systems on their roofs to extinguish nearby vegetation and other structures that may catch fire.
If you’re unsure about investing in fire sprinklers, consider these findings from the National Fire Protection Association:
- Sprinklers lead to an 89 percent reduction in fire-related fatalities and a 31 percent decrease in injuries
- Sprinklers lead to a 55 percent reduction in financial loss following a structural fire
- Sprinklers can effectively contain a fire to its room of origin 96 percent of the time
2. Make an Emergency Evacuation Plan
When a wildfire occurs, having an evacuation plan can make a crucial difference between life and death. Even if your area doesn’t issue clear evacuation orders, this is frequently the safest action. Here’s what to consider when creating your evacuation plan:
- Identify several evacuation routes in case the roads become congested or blocked
- Prepare a portable emergency kit containing essentials like nonperishable food, water, medications, and important documents.
- Create a communication plan so family members know where to gather if they get separated.
- Register for local emergency alerts to stay updated on the latest fire condition.s
3. Keep Your Indoor Air Quality Safe
Your home might not be in the immediate path of a wildfire, but it can still pose a serious threat from smoke residue or airborne pollutants. Inhaling soot, ash, and chemicals like carbon dioxide can heighten the risk of respiratory or cardiovascular health issues long after extinguishing flames. Prevent harmful fumes from entering your home with these simple and effective air quality protection measures:
- Install high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters in your HVAC unit.
- Seal all windows and outside doors to prevent smoke from getting in.
- Consider getting an indoor air purifier to purify and circulate air in your home.
- Wear an N95 mask when outdoor smoke and pollutant levels are hazardous.
Take Proactive Measures Against the Threat of Wildfires
The frequency and intensity of wildfires necessitate proactive measures to protect your home and community. Individual responsibility and collective action can help reduce the devastating impact of wildfires on the environment, communities, infrastructure, and human lives. Climate change will likely worsen this threat, but innovative prevention and protection strategies can fight back.
