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Home-hardening steps homeowners can take now: vents, gutters and skirting
Summary
Presenters and CAL FIRE advised homeowners to install 1/8-inch mesh on vents, replace vinyl gutters with metal, install noncombustible skirting for the first two feet of walls and screen under decks; vendors and retrofit options were reviewed.
Workshop speakers walked attendees through specific home-hardening measures that reduce ember vulnerability. The presenters stressed that an 0.125-inch (1/8-inch) mesh is the recommended maximum screen size for vents and that some products include a honeycomb fire-suppressant layer that can extinguish embers that penetrate the first screen. "0.125 inch — that'll do better than 99% ember stoppage," a presenter said during the vent discussion.
Gutters, soffits and the first two feet of exterior walls were highlighted as critical zones: vinyl gutters were described as particularly vulnerable and homeowners were urged to use metal gutters and to keep gutters screened and clean. Attendees were shown retrofit approaches such as adding metal flashing, screening under decks and using manufactured vents with internal suppression media; presenters recommended cleaning and maintenance schedules and pointed to state fire-marshal resources for certified products.
