When the Eaton Fire tore through Altadena last year, it didn’t just destroy homes—it forced an entire community to rethink safety, legacy, and survival. As we remember the anniversary of the devastation, a new series, EBONY Voices, returned to Altadena to center the people most affected.
Alongside this documentary, we’re breaking down what homeowners can realistically consider when it comes to fire-resistant building and disaster-proofing in wildfire-prone areas. Mother Nature can be a formidable foe, but with some planning ahead, or, unfortunately, learning after the fact, there are some tactics you can employ to increase your home’s chances of survival. Here are eight tips to help fireproof your home.
Retrofit Your Home
Think about getting it retrofitted for fire safety, especially if it’s a mid-century modern. Consider hiring a contractor who can help you assess what might need to be done, such as redoing the roof, windows, and paneling, and removing lead paint, etc.
Build a Fire-Resistant Home
If you are moving into a home in an area at risk of wildfires, it’s important to check when the house was built and what materials were used. If you are building a new home, you have the advantage of selecting fire-resistant materials from the start. While a fire-resistant home cannot guarantee that it will never catch fire, it is constructed with materials that are more likely to withstand flames than those used in standard homes.
Keep Embers Out
Embers can be carried easily by wind and ignite dry brush, shrubbery, and other flammable items that can transfer fire to a home. According to existing data, much of the destruction to homes that are destroyed by wildfires is caused by embers.
Consider Plant Life That Holds Water
Think about the landscaping around your home. The wildfires forced the state of California to think about the landscaping around your home, too. California’s controversial Zone Zero law is in the works, following last year’s fires, and its goal is to create plant-free zones around high-risk homes. It’s not set in stone yet, and there is pushback from some, but it’s an important potential regulation to consider. Consulting with a landscaper can provide more insight into fireproof plants, which include deciduous trees and shrubs like oak, lilac shrubs, and even flowers that fall into the fireproof plant category, and can help protect your property.
Fireproof Gutters
Gutters collect rainfall, which is important for protecting against flooding, but they also collect leaves. A gutter made out of metal is a preferred material to use in a wildfire-prone environment, and keeping it free of leaves and debris is recommended so that it doesn’t become susceptible to catching embers.
Get a Fireproof Safe
Fireproof safes can hold jewelry, passports, birth certificates, and other important documents and family heirlooms. Waterproof safes are also available.
Increase Water Sources
Consider having a pool, a sprinkler system, or other large water-storage systems around your home.
Use Fire Retardant Spray
Fire-retardant can be sprayed on walls and rooftops. It’s believed that some of the homes in Palisades Village survived because of the use of fire retardant.
As wildfires continue to reshape how people think about homeownership, preparation has become part of everyday planning—especially in high-risk areas. While there’s no single solution, understanding your options can help you make smarter, more confident decisions about protecting your home and your future.