Is your vent mesh 1/8″ or less?
We encourage all homeowners to evaluate your vents for ember resistance by contacting one of the companies listed below. We believe ember-proofing to be the single most cost effective way to provide maximum benefit against wildfires!
For VULCAN VENTS:
https://emberdefense.com/ember-certified-contractor-network/#connect
For BRANDGUARD VENTS: https://www.brandguardvents.com/free-estimate/
DEFENSIBLE SPACE
Keep your property lean and green to help protect your family and home.
The key to improving wildfire resistance for homes and other buildings is twofold: a series of zones around the home and the fire-resistant building materials used to construct it. Study: Home Wildfire Resistance Starts with Defensible Space and Proper Materials.
Asbestos and Natural Disasters Guide
Natural disasters such as wildfires, hurricanes, floods and tornadoes can damage asbestos-containing materials and lead to asbestos exposure among first responders, cleanup crews and nearby residents. Click here to learn how to prevent asbestos exposure when preparing for and cleaning up after a natural disaster.
Vents on homes create openings for flying embers. Ember entry through vents can result in ignition of combustible materials in the attic, and result in a building burning from the inside out. The importance of ember and flame entry into vents during wildfires has resulted in the development of commercially available vents designed to resist the intrusion of embers and flame, and recommendations for new or retrofit vents to protect existing openings. Click here for more info.
On September 16, 2021, retired fire captain Danny Glessner gave a presentation about home hardening at Kensington Community Church. The hour plus long presentation includes information on California fire history, creating defensible space around your home, and hardening your home so it can survive a wildfire. Click here to see the video on YouTube.
| Name/website | Location/Phone | Purpose |
| The Burn Institute | Partners with SDG&E on grants | |
| California Fire Safe Council https://cafiresafecouncil.org/ | Education & training (almost all these groups do some E & T) | |
| California Fire Alliance | Networking group of federal, state, and local fire agencies | |
| California Fire Prevention Organization (CFPO) https://www.calfireprevention.org/ | Fire injuries and fatalities reduction through education and awareness | |
| Fire Safe Council of San Diego County http://firesafesdcounty.org/ | 11769 Waterhill Road Lakeside, CA 92040 619-562-0096 | Education, training, No-cost chipping program, assists low-income seniors with defensible space. |
| National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) https://www.nfpa.org | Wildfire Field Office 7430 East Caley Ave Suite 260 Centennial, CO 80111 +1 303 663-5550 | Nonprofit devoted to eliminating death, injury, property and economic loss due to fire, electrical and related hazards. |
| National Wildfire Coordinating Group. https://www.nwcg.gov/ | Coalition of fire agencies; helps dev. “Community Wildfire Protection Plan” (CWPP)- prioritizes areas for hazardous fuel reduction treatments/as authorized by Congress | |
| Resource Conservation District of SD County (RCD) http://rcdsandiego.org/contact/ | 11769 Waterhill Rd Lakeside, CA 92040 (619) 562-0096 | Manages FSC-SDC program/grants; umbrella for 38 community FSCs; bi-monthly meetings, evacuation & CWPP guidance, education |
| San Diego Canyonlands (SDCL) www.sdcanyonlands.org | Education and community involvement in improving canyon fire safety; helps organize and supports Canyon Friends Groups | |
| San Diego Fire Rescue Department www.sandiego.gov/fireandems | 101 2nd Ave, Suite 300 SD 92101 | Responds to fires from excessive vegetation not maintained by property owner; operates Proactive Brush Mgmt Program inspections. |
| Sustainable Defensible Space https://defensiblespace.org/house/house-new/ | RCD Santa Monica Mts, 540 S. Topanga Canyon Blvd Topanga, CA 90290 | Guidance on increasing wildfire loss resistance of various structures |
| Tree Culture San Diego https://treeculturesandiego.com | Workshops on dead-wood and excess growth balance. |
Links
Fire Safe Council of San Diego County Website
To schedule a consultation with a home hardening expert visit WildfireHomeHardeningSpecialists.com.