Harden Your Home
Not all homes are built the same. The materials, design and construction assembly of a home plays a particularly large role in the home’s likelihood of surviving a wildfire.
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Not all homes are built the same. The materials, design and construction assembly of a home plays a particularly large role in the home’s likelihood of surviving a wildfire.
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Embers are the #1 Threat to Your HomeMost homes do not ignite from direct contact with flames. 90% of homes are destroyed indirectly by wind-borne embers carried ahead of a wildfire.
Embers can glow as hot as the fire from which they arise, and are light enough to be carried by the wind for long distances without being extinguished. Embers are the primary reason properties go up in flames whenever a wildfire is nearby. Taking necessary measures to prepare your home can help increase its chance of surviving wildfire. Things You Can Do to Harden Your Home#1 : Roof Your roof is the most vulnerable part of your home. Homes with wood shake roofs are particularly at high risk of being destroyed during a wildfire.
Vents on chimneys and on your home create openings for flying embers.
Heat from a wildfire can cause windows and skylights to break even before the home ignites – allowing burning embers to enter and start fires inside. Single-pane windows in particular can easily break from heat exposure.
#4: Decks Decks should be built with ignition-resistant, non-combustible materials.
Debris in your gutters is a key source of ignition in an ember fire.
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Colorado State Forest Service |