Ember Awareness Checklist
Wood Roof
Replace wood shake and shingle roofs with fire-resistant types such as composition, metal and tile.
Roof Openings
Plug openings in roof coverings, such as the open ends of barrel tiles, with non-combustible materials.
Roof Debris
Routinely remove plan debris, such as pine needles, leaves, branches and bark, from the roof.
Skylights
Replace plastic skylights with types constructed of double-pane glass. One of the panes should be tempered glass. Close skylights if wildfire threatens.
Spark Arrester
Install an approved spark arrester on chimneys.
Windows
Replace single-pane, non-tempered glass windows with multiple-pane, tempered-glass types. Close all windows if wildfire is threatening.
Vents
Cover attic, eave and foundation vents with 1/8-inch wire mesh or install new vent types designed to prevent ember entry. If wildfire is threatening, consider covering vent openings with pre-cut plywood or aluminum foil folded several layers thick and stapled.
Rain Gutters
Keep rain gutters free of plant debris during fire season. Consider using rain gutter covers to reduce maintenance.
Siding
Fill gaps in siding and trim materials with a good quality caulk and replace poor condition building materials.
Woodpiles
Move firewood stacks and scrap lumber piles at least 30 feet from the house or other buildings.
Patio Furniture
Place combustible patio furniture, such as lounges, tables and hammocks inside the house or garage if wildfire is threatening.
Deck Boards
Replace deck boards that are less than one inch thick or that are in poor condition with thicker, good condition boards. Use metal flashing between the deck and the house.
Deck Debris
Remove plant debris from the gaps between deck boards, the gap between the deck and house, and lying on top of the deck.
Porch and Deck Accessories
If wildfire is threatening, remove combustible materials from the porch and deck including newspapers, wicker baskets, door mats, pine cones and dried flower arrangements, and place BBQ propane tanks indoors.
Under the Deck
Remove plant debris, wood piles and other easily ignited materials from under decks. Consider enclosing the open sides of the deck with siding materials that are properly vented or 1/8-inch wire mesh to reduce maintenance and deter ember entry. Do not use wooden lattice to enclose decks.
Flower Boxes
Remove wooden flower boxes from beneath windows if wildfire is threatening.
Eaves
Cover open eaves with sheathing, such as plywood or fiber-cement board. Use tongue and groove joints or other intricate joint types and don’t use butt joints.
Flowerbeds
Replace wood mulches with noncombustible types and remove plant debris, including dried grass and flowers, dead leaves and dead branches from flowerbeds next to the house, other buildings and next to wooden fences. Replace ornamental junipers with low-growing deciduous shrubs or flowers under irrigation.
Vehicles
Close vehicle windows. Back into the garage and close the garage door or park away from the house.
Garage Door
Adjust garage doors to achieve as tight a fit as possible with the door frame. Consider using trim around the garage door openings to reduce the size of gap openings. Close the garage door if wildfire is threatening.
Garbage Cans and Recycling Bins
Use garbage cans covered with tight fitting lids near the house or other buildings. Move newspaper recycling bins indoors.
Wooden Fences
Maintain wooden fences in good condition and create a noncombustible fence section or gate next to the house for at least five feet.
Ember Awareness Checklist (79 KB) 
