Why Spring Is the Best Time to Harden Your Home Against Wildfire

Spring isn’t just for cleaning—it’s the ideal time to prepare your home for wildfire season. With warmer weather on the horizon, now is the perfect opportunity to tackle home-hardening projects that can make a life-saving difference when the next wildfire strikes.

Wildfire season is getting longer and more destructive. By integrating wildfire mitigation into your spring maintenance routine, you’re not only protecting your property—you’re helping your community build resilience.

Start with Defensible Space

Your defensible space—the area between your home and surrounding vegetation—is your first line of defense. Embers from nearby wildfires can land in this space and ignite flammable materials, giving flames a clear path to your home.

This spring, make defensible space cleanup a top priority:

  • Remove dead leaves, pine needles, and woodpiles
  • Clear out anything flammable within five feet of your structure
  • Trim back or replace highly flammable plants such as those with oily or papery leaves

You may also want to reassess your landscaping strategy. Choose fire-resistant plants, and maintain proper spacing between trees, shrubs, and structures to reduce the chance of fire spread.

Reevaluate Fences and Home Finishes

Wood fences may enhance curb appeal, but they can also act as fuel. If your fence connects directly to your home, consider replacing the last five feet near your house with non-combustible materials like metal.

Your siding and deck materials also matter. Untreated wood siding, shingles, or decking can ignite from flying embers. As you make spring repairs or upgrades, opt for ignition-resistant materials such as:

  • Fire-retardant-treated wood
  • Fiber cement siding
  • Stucco
  • Metal or composite decking

If a full remodel isn’t in the cards, consider applying a long-term fire retardant coating to vulnerable exterior materials to reduce flammability.

Don’t Forget the Details

Small upgrades can make a big difference in your home’s fire resilience:

  • Install weather stripping under your garage door to block embers from blowing in
  • Store flammable materials in your garage away from ignition sources
  • Replace wood or wicker patio furniture with safer alternatives like metal or composite
  • Check your fire extinguishers and emergency supplies to ensure they’re accessible and up to date

Clean Your Gutters (Or Eliminate the Risk)

Gutters often collect dry debris—exactly what windblown embers need to start a fire. Spring is the perfect time to:

  • Remove leaves, pine needles, and nests
  • Install Gutter Guards or similar ember-resistant products to reduce buildup and prevent ignition year-round

Protect Vulnerable Openings

One of the most effective ways to prevent wildfire damage is to retrofit your home’s vents. Traditional mesh vents may allow embers to enter your attic or crawlspaces, sparking internal fires.

Fire and ember safe vents, ember safe retrofit vents, and ember safe mesh are specially designed to block ember entry. These vents feature intumescent coatings that expand in extreme heat, sealing off vulnerable openings.

Installing ember-resistant vents in your eaves, foundations, and gables is one of the most impactful steps you can take to safeguard your home.

Connect with an Expert Wildfire Mitigation Contractor

Home hardening can feel overwhelming—but you don’t have to do it alone. MitigateNow connects homeowners with trusted, local wildfire mitigation contractors who specialize in:

  • Evaluating your property’s wildfire risk
  • Recommending proven mitigation strategies
  • Installing wildfire defense products tailored to your home
  • Helping you prepare with confidence before fire season arrives

Whether you’re just starting your home hardening journey or need professional support with advanced upgrades, we’ll help you take action before the next fire threat.

Connect with an expert wildfire mitigation contractor to get started.