Rooflines & Eaves
Avoid complex rooflines that trap debris. Enclosed or boxed eaves with non-combustible material. Avoid exposed rafter tails.
Build Homes That Stand Strong
Learn field-tested fire-safe strategies, material choices, and design approaches with partner-backed resources focused on safer, more resilient homes.
Thank You
Our Generous Partners Who Made This Resource Possible
Sections in This Guide
Wildfire-Resilient Homes
Wildfires are becoming more frequent and more destructive. Building or remodeling with fire-resilient strategies isn't just smart — it's essential for protecting families, communities, and investments. Our Learning Center makes it simple to understand the latest best practices, products, and design approaches that help homes stand strong.
Spotlight Stories
Real-world lessons, expert interviews, and product features that bring wildfire resilience to life.
Product Feature
Evolution Steel Deck Framing by Fortress Building Products
We are immensely grateful to Mike Fredy and the leadership team at Evolution for their tireless work expanding wildfire safety education, and for their support in building this incredible resource. Steel deck framing is one of the most impactful upgrades a building professional can specify in WUI zones — non-combustible, durable, and increasingly code-preferred.
Product FeatureDemonstration video by IBHS highlighting Evolution Steel Deck FramingEvolution Steel Deck Framing by Fortress Building Products.Product FeatureAdvantages of Steel Decking in Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) areasA practical look at steel decking advantages in WUI areas.Product FeatureThe Switch to Steel - Deck Professionals Talk About the Next Generation of Deck BuildingDeck professionals discuss the next generation of deck building.
Materials That Protect
The right material choices at every layer of the home dramatically reduce ignition risk.
Roofing and vents are the two most important areas to address.
Material / ZoneGuidance
The following Fire-Safe Vetted Directory is provided by our esteemed education partner, the California Fire Safe Council. We encourage our Pro’s to elevate their exposure and apply to participate in this valuable directory.
Defensible Space & Landscaping
How you manage the space around a home is as important as how you build it.
Zone / TopicGuidance
Smart Design & Construction
Design and construction details that significantly reduce vulnerability — for new builds and retrofits alike.
Decks & Porches
Steel-framed decks (see Spotlight above). WUI-rated composite decking. Clear underneath — no storage of combustibles.
Exterior Sprinkler Systems
Rooftop and perimeter sprinkler systems dramatically improve survival odds. Increasingly required by insurers.
Garage Doors
Often overlooked — a major vulnerability. WUI-rated doors or fire-blocking retrofit kits available.
Attic Vents
Replace with ember-resistant vents rated 1/16" mesh or finer. One of the top wildfire entry points.
Retrofitting Existing Homes
Highest-impact upgrades in order: (1) vents, (2) Zone 0 non-combustibles, (3) deck and eave materials, (4) windows.
Community, Organizations & Safety Resources
Key agencies, nonprofits, and programs driving wildfire resilience policy, research, and community action.
California-Focused
CAL FIRE / OSFM
California’s primary wildfire agency. Manages Chapter 7A compliance, the Building Materials Listing program, home hardening initiatives, and community preparedness funding.
https://www.fire.ca.govCA Wildfire & Forest Resilience Task Force
Coordinates state agencies, federal partners, and local governments. Sets broad policy direction and tracks progress on landscape-scale resilience.
https://wildfireresiliency.ca.govCalifornia Fire Safe Council (CFSC)
Excellent Fire Safe Vendor List — now searchable online. Categories cover materials, landscaping, mitigation services, and more.
https://cafiresafecouncil.org/Fire Safe Marin
Active local council for Marin County. Great resource for Sausalito-area homeowners and pros working in the North Bay.
https://www.firesafemarin.orgUSGBC California
Leads the Wildfire Defense Certification for contractors. Expanding in 2025-26 with green rebuilding training and digital tools for the building industry.
https://usgbc-ca.org/wildfire-defense-rebuilding/National
IBHS
The research backbone behind wildfire home hardening science. Runs Wildfire Prepared Home and Wildfire Prepared Neighborhood programs in 15 states.
https://ibhs.orgNFPA
Publishes NFPA 1 (WUI Chapter 17), Firewise USA, and wildfire research fact sheets. Essential codes and community programs resource.
https://www.nfpa.orgWildfire Prepared Home
Science-based designation for homeowners. Potential insurance discounts in California. Available in 15 states.
https://wildfireprepared.org/ICC — International Code Council
Develops the International WUI Code (IWUIC). Brings together contractors, engineers, inspectors, and code officials on national standards.
https://www.iccsafe.orgUSFA / FEMA
WUI training for building officials, fire service personnel, and planners. Free federal resources on land use, code adoption, and fire behavior.
https://www.usfa.fema.gov/wui/Training & Certification
Professional development programs — from contractor certifications to federal WUI training.
USGBC-CA — Wildfire Defense Certification
California’s leading certification for contractors and landscapers. Has educated 1,300+ professionals over three years. Expanding in 2025-26 with green rebuilding modules and community workshops funded by the Clean Power Alliance.
Visit resourceOSFM — Chapter 7A Online Training (Free)
Free training from California’s Office of the State Fire Marshal for building officials, builders, and fire service personnel on Chapter 7A compliance, the BML listing tool, and the WUI Products Handbook.
Visit resourceUSFA/FEMA — National Fire Academy WUI Training
Federal courses covering land-use planning, code adoption, evacuation planning, and wildland fire behavior for structural firefighters and building officials.
Visit resourceIBHS — Wildfire Prepared Home Program (for Homeowners)
Science-based designation now in 15 states. Homeowners complete a verified checklist and earn a certificate — with potential insurance discounts through CDI-mandated carrier programs in California.
Visit resourceNFPA Firewise USA
Community-level program helping neighborhoods reduce wildfire risk collaboratively. Over 1,700 recognized communities nationwide. Valuable context for pros working in existing neighborhoods.
Visit resourcePodcasts & YouTube
Audio and video resources — from frontline firefighter stories to high-performance building how-to's.
Podcasts
All Things Wildfire
Hosted by wildfire prevention specialists, retired fire captains, and fire marshals. Practical education for homeowners, communities, and businesses.
Open podcastCalifornia Burns
From North State Public Radio — a critical look at how California’s fire-prone forests have been managed and how to be better stewards of the land.
Open podcastHeroism Beyond the Flames
Explores stories and strategies shaping modern wildfire management — leadership, solutions, and community protection at the WUI.
Open podcastThe Anchor Point Podcast
Premier podcast for wildland firefighting culture, mental health, and physical performance. Long-form interviews with firefighters, scientists, and doctors.
Open podcastRebuilding Los Angeles (LA Times Studios)
Hosted by Kate Cagle. Examines what failed in the 2025 LA fires and the path to a more resilient future. Essential listening post-2025.
Open podcastWildfires, Floods & Chaos Communications
Crisis communications and chaos management during wildfires and floods. Expert insights on preparation and community response.
Open podcastYouTube Channels
CAL FIRE — Official Channel
Home hardening demonstration burns and practical WUI education. Directly applicable for California homeowners and building professionals.
Open channelCAL FIRE TV
Additional CAL FIRE video content covering fire behavior, training, and community education.
Open channelMatt Risinger — The Build Show
Builder passionate about high-performance construction. Covers fire-resiliency, building science, insulation, air sealing, HVAC, healthy buildings, and product reviews. Highly recommended for building pros.
Open channelIBHS Research Center
Science-based videos showing exactly how homes fail in wildfires — burning gutters, ember intrusion, radiant heat. Essential for product and construction decisions.
Open channelFire Safe Marin
Marin County wildfire education videos. Highly relevant for North Bay homeowners and pros.
Open channelCA Wildfire & Forest Resilience Task Force
Policy and landscape-scale resilience efforts across California. Good for understanding regulatory direction.
Open channelRCD Santa Monica Mountains — Home Hardening Series
CAL FIRE-funded series of nine videos on wildfire preparedness, fire ecology, home hardening, and defensible space.
Open channelCodes & Standards
The regulatory foundation for wildfire-resilient construction — California Chapter 7A through national model codes.
California
CA Building Code — Chapter 7A
Materials and construction methods for exterior wildfire exposure. The baseline standard for all new construction in California’s high fire hazard severity zones since 2008. Free OSFM online training available.
Visit resource2025 OSFM WUI Listed Products Handbook
The definitive California reference for code-compliant materials in WUI zones. Updated September 2025. Required for contractors, inspectors, and specifiers.
Visit resourceNIST Hazard Mitigation Methodology
Developed by NIST, CAL FIRE, and IBHS using lab research and post-fire field data. Science-first framework for systematically hardening structures.
Visit resourceNational Model Codes
ICC — International WUI Code (IWUIC)
The ICC’s model code establishing prescriptive and performance requirements for WUI areas. Referenced by jurisdictions nationwide.
Visit resourceNFPA 1 — Chapter 17 (WUI)
NFPA’s fire code: ignition-resistant construction, defensible space, fire protection plans, and automatic sprinkler systems for WUI areas.
Visit resourceColorado Wildfire Resiliency Code (CWRC)
Enacted July 2025 — a leading-edge state model being watched nationally. Requires Class 1 and Class 2 structural hardening in WUI zones. Useful benchmark for CA professionals.
Visit resourceFunding — Grants, Financing & Loans
Financing options to support wildfire-proofing projects. And MUCH more coming soon!
Wildfire Defense Mesh Community Group
Reduced pricing on materials for neighborhoods + connections to grant-issuing organizations — wildfiredefensemesh.com/community/home
Visit community groupCAL FIRE Wildfire Prevention Grants
State funding for defensible space, prescribed burns, and community resilience projects — fire.ca.gov/grants
View grantsFEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP)
Federal grants for homeowners and communities post-disaster — fema.gov/hazard-mitigation-grant-program
View programCalifornia Residential Mitigation Program (CRMP)
Low-cost retrofit grants for qualifying homeowners — californiaresidentialmitigation.com
View retrofit grantsU.S. Bank Los Angeles
Offers financing on raw land, especially valuable for those in LA looking to rebuild their homes
Insurance Discounts
California CDI-mandated programs require insurers to offer discounts for Wildfire Prepared Home and Chapter 7A-compliant retrofits. Ask your insurer.
Key Documents & Downloads
Essential reference materials — handbooks, guides, checklists, and research publications.
For Building Professionals
2025 OSFM WUI Listed Products Handbook
Definitive California reference for code-compliant WUI materials. Updated September 2025.
View Handbook (PDF)NIST Hazard Mitigation Methodology
Science framework by NIST, CAL FIRE, and IBHS using lab research and post-fire field data.
View MethodologyLA County Resources for Design & Building Professionals
Resilient rebuilding post-2025 fires: materials, fuel bridges, CA Fire Code updates July 2025.
View Resource GuideIBHS Wildfire Research Fact Sheet Series
Science summaries on home vulnerability points: vents, decks, roofs, windows, gutters. Co-published with NFPA.
View Fact SheetsConstruction Specifier — WUI Building Practices Guide
For design professionals: when and why exceeding minimum code standards is necessary for real resilience.
View ArticleFor Homeowners & Community Members
CAL FIRE Home Self-Assessment Survey
Gateway tool for meeting defensible space obligations. Covers all major home vulnerability zones.
Take the SurveyIBHS Wildfire Prepared Home Checklist
Step-by-step DIY checklist. Science-proven steps that can qualify for insurance discounts.
Download ChecklistCAL FIRE Low-Cost Retrofit List (OSFM)
Practical low-cost actions: sealing gaps, retrofitting vents, ember-resistant mesh.
View Retrofit ListNFPA Firewise Community Action Plan Template
Template for neighborhoods starting a Firewise USA program. Covers assessment, action steps, and annual activities.
Download TemplateAnd more coming soon!
If you are actively involved in the wildfire-safety sector, we welcome your input and partnership in our efforts to educate pros and raise awareness!
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