The Threat of Wildfires and How to Protect Your Property

Watching the Los Angeles-area wildfires burn and destroy is likely filling property owners here with dread. Not only is it horrifying to witness the astonishing loss of life and property, it’s impossible not to imagine what would happen if wildfires broke out in our area. 

They have before, and there’s always a chance that they will again. This is an ongoing threat in California.

It’s scary and it’s upsetting, and today we want to help you feel a little less helpless by providing some tips from fire protection professionals on protecting your property, your tenants, and your investment potential from wildfires.

Wind and Embers Causing a Perfect Storm 

When a wildfire takes hold in an area, homes and structures are ignited by embers and the radiant heat that is caused by the fire and flames. Those embers pose the greatest threat as wind can carry them ahead of a fire front, igniting spot fires in and around residential areas. 

When we see footage of homes lost and entire neighborhoods destroyed, it’s because certain factors in those areas make the homes more vulnerable. 

Actions to Prevent the Worst Wildfire Damage

Having a plan in place won’t necessarily stop a wildfire, but it will prepare you for the quick action that’s needed. Your emergency plan should include:

• Emergency contact information
• Evacuation routes and timing
• Communication plans for how you’ll reach family, friends, and responders
• An emergency supply kit with important documents
• Safety equipment like fire extinguishers and hoses.
• A plan for pets

Enable Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs) on your cell phone. Know how you’re going to get out of the house. If you’re renting out a home, communicate emergency plans and evacuation routes to tenants and make sure all of their contact information is up to date so you can reach them.

Preventative Maintenance Impacting Wildfire Protection

Do everything you can to prepare and protect your property while there’s not an immediate threat.

• Inspect and maintain your roof and gutters. Replace a wood shake or wood shingle roof with a Class A fire-resistant-rated roof cover, which includes asphalt shingles, tile, slate, and metal roofs. Replace any domed, plastic skylights with flat, multi-paned, tempered glass skylights. Make sure you have metal or aluminum gutters in place.
• Install ember-resistant vents. Clean vent screens and make sure there are mesh or metal screens to prevent any ember entry through vents.
• Keep a safe vertical clearance on exterior walls. Experts recommend a minimum of 6 vertical inches (measured from the ground up and from any attached horizontal surface like a deck) of noncombustible siding material. This might be fiber-cement, brick, stone, stucco, or exposed concrete foundation.
• Clear vegetative debris from decks and porches. Remove anything that’s stored under decks or stairs, and make sure there’s no way for embers to get into that space.

You might consider upgrading your doors and windows, too. Tempered, multi-paned, and fire-resistant glass blocks are all good options.

Creating a Noncombustible Buffer

Embers travel ahead of a fire, and you want to keep them away from your property. Create a hardscape barrier that’s at least five feet from your property. Replace combustible fencing and maintain a five-foot ignition zone. 

The idea is to not store anything combustible in this zone, including plants and furniture or even cars. Firewood and lawn tools should be in a shed or a garage, or at least five feet from the property. 

You need a defensible space, which should be five to 30 feet from the home. Keep grass watered and less than four inches high. Clear away debris and vegetation regularly. Focus on fire resistant plants in and around your home. Trim trees and shrubs and ensure there is a minimum of 6 vertical inches (measured from the ground up) of noncombustible siding material at the base of each structure or any horizontal surfaces such as a wooden play set, just as you would for your home. For an elevated structure like a shed, enclose the base with no larger than 1/8-inch or finer metal wire mesh.

When It’s Time to Evacuate

Evacuating from a fire is a stressful and difficult experience. Have a go-bag ready. It should include food, water, medications, and important documents. This go-bag needs to be easily accessible. 

Before you leave your home, shut off the gas, close windows and doors, and remove any flammable items to make your property less attractive to a raging wildfire. Keep your pets in mind. Have a plan in place for them, as well. 

Make it easy for firefighters and rescue operations to reach your house. Improve access with a wide driveway clearance. Make sure address numbers are visible from the street. 

California Wildfires and Accessing Resources

When you’re dealing with a wildfire or a natural disaster that damages your rental property, there may be state, local, and federal resources you can access to minimize the cost for you. There are likely going to be nonprofit organizations available to help your tenants access new housing as well as any basic supplies that they need. 

Recent victims of California wildfires have worked with the Red Cross, FEMA and other government and private organizations to access assistance. Local providers also put together shared housing and resource exchange programs.

Make sure you know what’s available to you and your tenants. Gather all of the information you’ll need for insurance claims, and reach out to your property manager for help in rebuilding once the immediate danger has passed and it’s time to assess the damage and move forward. 

It’s important to be vigilant as wildfires continue to threaten California. While it’s nearly impossible to predict when and where they will take hold, the more prepared you can be, the better off you’ll be if and when they arrive on our doorstep. Prioritize fire safety for yourself, your tenants, and your property. 

And work with a property management company like ours to leverage expertise and additional resources.

Please contact us at Bayside Management. We lease, manage, and maintain investment properties in San Mateo and around the Peninsula, including San Carlos, Redwood City, Pacifica, San Bruno, Half Moon Bay, Daly City, Mountain View, Foster City, and Palo Alto.