Take steps to protect your property

Create a defensible zone: You don’t have to strip everything down to dirt, but minimizing fuel danger is the goal. (See next page for details.)

Avoid flammable plants: Bamboo and oily eucalyptus can light like a match head. Opt instead for highmoisture succulents such as aloe or fireresistant hardwood trees such as maple.

Consider the weather: Don’t operate any power tools to trim vegetation when the weather is hot and windy because sparks can light the yard in a twinkling.

Inspect power lines: Notify Pacific Gas and Electric Co. whenever you notice power lines brushing up against tree limbs, or close enough for a strong wind to slap them together. PG&E crews can come trim the trees. Several big fires, including 2018’s Camp Fire in Butte County, were sparked by power lines hitting vegetation or other power lines.

Assess roofing materials: Roofs should be made of flameretardant materials, such as metal, asphalt composition shingles or clay tiles. Make the overhangs as wide as possible — in the 2017 Wine Country fires, some homes fared better with flying embers when they had fireresistant overhangs of 4 feet or more to keep them from hitting the walls.

Locate the gas valve: Know where your gas shutoff valve is, and keep a wrench next to it. If you see a wildfire getting dangerously close, shut off the gas — and any propane tanks you might have around.

Have a wildfire plan: In just two minutes, a house fire can become deadly, according to the Department of Homeland Security. In five minutes, a house can become fully engulfed in flames. Plan for the worst.

Understand your risk: Cal Fire maintains maps of areas prone to wildfire, and cities and counties are required to keep safety plans that contain procedures for evacuations and communications.

Keep tree branches 10 feet away from your chimney and other trees. Remove any dead branches hanging over your roof.

HALLWAY

Install smoke detectors between living and sleeping areas.

Noah Berger / Special to The Chronicle 2020 Above: An air tanker drops flame retardant while battling the Glass Fire in Napa County in October 2020.

Mason Trinca / Special to The Chronicle 2018 Left: A sign posted at the emergency command center in Woodacre in Marin County promotes a composting program for vegetation trimmed by property owners to create defensible spaces around their homes in preparation for fire season.