How to Prepare Your California Home for Wildfire Season
By JC Pacific Corp Published 2026-09-01 Last professionally reviewed: September 2026
Prepare by maintaining legally required defensible space where applicable, reducing combustible material near structures, addressing ember entry points, keeping access clear, reviewing insurance, and creating an evacuation plan.
What should be done closest to the home?
CAL FIRE emphasizes the importance of the first five feet around structures. Depending on current requirements and local rules:
- Remove dead vegetation and debris
- Clear roofs and gutters
- Move firewood and combustible storage
- Limit combustible furniture near the house
- Address combustible fencing attached to structures
- Use appropriate hardscape
- Maintain decks, stairs, and porches
What should be done farther out?
- Mow or remove dry grass safely
- Space vegetation appropriately
- Remove dead branches
- Maintain clearance around propane tanks
- Separate shrubs and trees
- Keep driveways accessible
- Display visible address numbers
- Follow local vegetation rules
How should families prepare?
- Create evacuation routes
- Prepare people, pets, medications, and documents
- Register for local alerts
- Maintain vehicles
- Review insurance and inventories
- Photograph the property
- Follow evacuation orders immediately
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 100 feet of defensible space always enough?
State law and local standards may require specific work, and property lines may limit available space.
Does defensible space guarantee survival?
No.
Should vegetation be removed during hot, windy weather?
Avoid spark-producing work during hazardous conditions and follow fire-authority guidance.
Educational information
This content is for general educational purposes and is not construction, engineering, electrical, plumbing, pest-control, insurance, legal, environmental, fire-safety, or emergency advice. Maintenance needs vary by property, age, construction, climate, location, and condition. Work involving electricity, gas, roofing, structural systems, pests, hazardous materials, or permits should be handled by appropriately licensed professionals. If you smell gas, see fire, observe electrical arcing, discover a major leak, or believe a structure may be unsafe, leave the affected area when appropriate and contact emergency services or the responsible utility. Do not attempt a repair beyond your training.
Next step: Complete mitigation before peak fire weather and maintain it throughout the season.
Related guides
All 25 guidesPut this guide to work
The next step is a conversation with a local agent.
JC Pacific Corp is an Irvine-based Southern California brokerage helping buyers navigate offers, escrow, and financing. Tell us what you are looking for and we will point you to current options across the region.
A note on legal advice: These guides provide general, educational information about California real estate practice. They are not legal advice and do not create an attorney-client relationship. Mortgage information is general education, not individualized lending, tax or legal guidance. For advice about your specific offer, contract, closing or financing, consult a qualified California real estate attorney and a qualified mortgage professional.
A note on these California home-maintenance guides: These articles provide general, educational information about routine home maintenance, seasonal preparation, and life-safety systems for California homeowners. They are not construction, engineering, electrical, plumbing, pest-control, insurance, legal, environmental, fire-safety, or emergency advice, and they do not create a contractor, inspector, engineer, insurer, attorney, or emergency-responder relationship with the brokerage. Maintenance needs vary by property, age, construction, climate, location, and condition. Work involving electricity, gas, roofing, structural systems, pests, hazardous materials, or permits should be handled by appropriately licensed professionals, and code, insurance, hazard, and local requirements must be checked against current official sources at publication time. Property DNA is only one supporting research service and is never a substitute for inspections, permit research, maintenance records, contractor evaluations, structural engineering, pest inspections, insurance, title review, or professional advice. In an emergency, leave the affected area when appropriate and contact emergency services or the responsible utility.