How to Fireproof Your Home in California

Wildfires are a rising threat in California. Learn how to fireproof your home with fire-resistant materials and home hardening techniques from the team at WFCA.

Disclaimer: While no home can be completely fireproof, many homeowners and citizens commonly use the term “fireproofing” when referring to fire-resistant practices. For clarity and accessibility, we have used this term throughout the article, though the more accurate term is “fire resistance.”

Why Fireproofing Matters in California

California has a long history of wildfires, with fire severity and total area burned increasing over time. Over the last decade, there have been 4 years in which wildfires burned over 1,000,000 acres in the state (2017, 2018, 2020, and 2021). In 2020, the total number of acres burned reached over 4,000,000, more than doubling the total burned acreage of any fire season in the previous 30 years.¹ Whether the cause is power lines, lightning, uncontrolled burns, arson, or undetermined, these fires are becoming more destructive over time. Continual droughts, combined with a climate that can be dry, hot, and windy, cause an ongoing risk of wildfires within the state.² In addition, fires in Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) areas are predicted to increase over the next 15 years.³ The devastating fires in Southern California in January 2025 are a reminder of the importance of preparing homes for the threat of wildfires.

Fireproof Housing Materials for California Homes

Many fire-resistant materials are available for the construction of new homes. Among these housing materials are concrete, brick, steel, cast iron, stone, gypsum, stucco, glass, and insulation.

For home renovations, homeowners can implement a variety of improvements that increase their home’s ability to withstand a fire. Fire-rated windows can be installed with specialized glazing and framing materials that maintain structural integrity and slows fire spread. These windows are typically classified on their ability to withstand high temperatures for specific time intervals such as 20, 45, or 90 minutes.¹³

Similarly, fire-rated exterior doors can serve as a defensive barrier, engineered to withstand intense temperatures and resist fire penetration for a specified duration. Fire-rated doors can also prevent rapid fire spread between interior and exterior spaces and helps minimize structural damage by creating a physical obstacle that slows the fires progression. Fire-resistant insulation or specialized foam treatments can be integrated into walls and ceilings to reduce heat transfer and combustibility. For flooring, some homeowners may consider materials like concrete, ceramic tiles, and specially treated wood composites to enhance fire resistance inside their home, compared to traditional wooden surfaces.

For roofing, fire-resistant options include metal, clay tiles, or advanced synthetic materials with high fire-retardant properties that prevent ember penetration and minimize external fire risks. Siding options such as fiber cement, stucco, brick, and treated wood composites can significantly reduce a building’s exterior vulnerability to fire spread.¹⁴

To enhance overall fire protection, homeowners can seal vents, electrical conduits, and other potential openings with fire-resistant caulks, intumescent barriers, and specialized protective covers. These measures can prevent fire and smoke from traveling through small structural gaps, ultimately creating a more comprehensive fire protection strategy.

Incentives for Fireproofing Your Home in California

In addition to the benefit of reduced fire risk, homeowners can also receive insurance discounts if they take action to fireproof their home, following a 2021 partnership between Governor Gavin Newsom and the California Department of Insurance.⁴

On both the state and federal level, new legislation was introduced in 2025 that, if passed, would provide financial incentives for individuals that harden their homes against wildfires.

• State legislation: Two measures were filed to provide incentives for home fireproofing. One measure would establish tax credits to assist with the cost of fire-resistant upgrades including roofs, decks, vents, siding, and fences. The tax credits would start in 2026, with a maximum of $2,500-$10,000 depending on hazard zone. A second measure would authorize the California Department of Insurance to offer grants that homeowners can use to create noncombustible defensible space, or install fire-resistant roofs.⁵
• Federal legislation: The SAFE HOME (Supporting Affordable Fire Emergency Hardening through Optimized Mitigation Efforts) Act aims to assist homeowners at risk of wildfire by providing a 25% refundable tax credit for home hardening expenses. The tax credit would start in 2025, and have a maximum of $25,000 per year.⁶

Homes that Survived the Palisades Fire and Why

The Palisades Fire in 2025 burned over 23,000 acres and destroyed 6,837 structures.⁷ Following the fire, a few seemingly fireproof homes were shown to have survived the flames. Notably, two of the houses that remained intact are owned by architects who designed their homes with specific fire-resistant techniques in mind.

One example is a home built by architect Greg Chasen. His home went viral following the Palisades Fire, as it appeared in perfect condition among homes that were completely burned down. Though the property had been owned by Chasen since 1998, the home had recently been rebuilt and his family had moved back in six months prior to the fire.8 In an interview, Chasen said that he built the home with a border of defensible space and fire-resilient landscaping.9 The property also utilized concrete walls for the garden. The structure of the home itself was securely sealed with double-paned windows and did not include any attic vents, eaves, or overhangs. The roof was metal and had an underlayment that was fire-resistant.9,10 These techniques were extremely effective at protecting the home from the fire.

Another home that survived the Palisades Fire belongs to Michael Kovac and Karina Maher. Kovac is an architect who specializes in environmental design. Kovac and Maher purchased their 1950s home in 2002, deconstructing it and rebuilding it with wildfire resilience in mind. Kovac incorporated fiber cement siding, a class A roof, commercial glazing, insulated glass, and a fire retardant system. The home is LEED platinum certified, which denotes its energy and environmental design.¹¹ Utilizing fire-resistant materials helped to save the structure from the passing fire.

Additional Home Fireproofing Tips for California Residents

As discussed above, utilizing fire-resistant materials and features can greatly improve a home’s ability to withstand a wildfire. In addition to hardening a home itself, California residents can also prepare defensible space around their home. The following steps can be helpful to ensure a home has appropriate defensible space:

• Place metal mesh screening on vents leading to attics or crawl spaces.
• Provide space around the structure that is free from vegetation, mulch, bark, or other landscaping.
• Maintain a 30-foot distance between the structure and any fuel tanks, firewood, or heavy brush.
• Ensure porches, decks, roofs, and gutters are free of leaves, needles, and other organic materials.
• Remove tree branches that are below 15 feet high or within 10 feet of any chimney or stove openings.
• Water and mow lawns regularly and dispose of cuttings properly.¹²