{"id":72558,"date":"2023-08-11T10:00:09","date_gmt":"2023-08-11T17:00:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/?p=72558"},"modified":"2023-10-06T10:57:53","modified_gmt":"2023-10-06T17:57:53","slug":"how-to-prepare-for-a-wildfire","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-to-prepare-for-a-wildfire\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Prepare for a Wildfire: 10 Essential Steps"},"content":{"rendered":"

Wildfires are destructive and can be catastrophic for homeowners, <\/span>especially those<\/span><\/a> who are lower income. And unfortunately, fires are getting more<\/span> frequent, larger, and stronger<\/span><\/a>. The wildfire season in the western US has increased by <\/span>more than 100 days<\/span><\/a> since 1970, along with larger and more frequent fires. These fires are expensive, too; from 2017-2021, they have cost governments <\/span>more than $90 billion<\/span><\/a> and have dramatically altered landscapes in forests across the country. As such, it\u2019s important to be prepared.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Regardless of whether you live in a high <\/span>fire-risk area<\/span><\/a>, like <\/span>Brentwood, CA<\/span><\/a>, or somewhere with very little risk, such as <\/span>Duluth, MN<\/span><\/a>, these tips are essential. Climate change is accelerating, helping to <\/span>prolong and intensify<\/span><\/a> droughts and heat waves throughout the country. This creates a greater risk for wildfires anywhere in the US. So no matter where you live, read on for essential tips from Redfin to learn how to prepare for a wildfire.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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E Plus via Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

1. Clear the ignition zones around your home<\/span><\/h2>\n

First, it\u2019s essential to create defensible zones around your home to reduce the fuel sources for a wildfire. This is called the <\/span>Home Ignition Zone (HIZ)<\/span><\/a>, which is broken up into three subsections ranging from 0-200 feet away from your house. Here\u2019s a quick <\/span>breakdown of the zones<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Immediate zone (0-5 feet)<\/b><\/h3>\n

The immediate zone is the area directly adjacent to your home, including the structure itself and its immediate surroundings. <\/span>This is the most important zone to take immediate action on<\/b>. Make sure to clear your house first and then work your way around your property. The goal of this zone is to eliminate fire risk as completely as possible.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n