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How to Prepare Your Home for Wildfire Season: A Step-by-Step Checklist

by Tim or Deena Gunn

Every year, wildfires destroy thousands of homes across California and the American West. The difference between a home that survives and one that doesn't often comes down to preparation — not luck. With over 15 years of experience in wildfire home defense, and with Roof Saver Sprinkler systems confirmed by Cal Fire to have saved multiple homes, I've put together this step-by-step checklist to help you protect what matters most before fire season peaks.

As seen on FOX26 News: Watch the segment here.

Step 1: Create Defensible Space Around Your Home

Defensible space is the buffer zone between your home and the surrounding vegetation that gives firefighters room to work — and slows an approaching fire. California law requires at least 100 feet of defensible space around your structure, broken into three zones:

  • Zone 0 (0-5 feet): Most important!  Keeping the area clear will prevent embers from igniting materials that can spread the fire to your home.
  • Zone 1 (5–30 feet): Keep this area lean, clean, and green. Remove dead plants, grass, and leaves. Space out trees and shrubs so fire can't easily travel between them.
  • Zone 2 (30–100 feet): Reduce fuel by cutting grass low, removing dead plant material, and creating separation between trees and shrubs.

For a deeper dive into defensible space best practices, visit our Defensible Space guide.

Step 2: Understand Your Roof and Gutter Vulnerability

Here's something most homeowners don't realize: the majority of homes lost in wildfires are not ignited by direct flame contact. They're ignited by embers — burning debris that can travel a mile or more ahead of the fire front on the wind.

Your roof and gutters are the most vulnerable surfaces on your home. Embers land in dry leaves or pine needles accumulated in gutters, on wood shake roofs, or in the gaps of composition shingles — and they smolder until they ignite. By the time you see smoke, it may be too late.

This is the core problem that Roof Saver Sprinklers were designed to solve.

Step 3: Wet Your Roof, Gutters, Decks, and Vegetation with a Sprinkler System

A properly installed roof sprinkler system saturates the most ember-vulnerable surfaces of your home — your roof, gutters, decks, and surrounding vegetation — before fire arrives. A wet surface simply won't ignite from ember contact.

This is wildfire home preparation at its most effective. Unlike passive measures, a roof sprinkler system actively creates a moisture barrier that dramatically reduces ignition risk. Roof Saver systems have been confirmed by Cal Fire to have saved homes in active fire events — not just in theory, but in practice.

Key surfaces your sprinkler system should cover:

  • The entire roof surface (including ridgeline)
  • Gutters
  • Wood decks and fences adjacent to the home
  • Surrounding dry vegetation within the immediate zone

Step 4: Choose the Right Sprinkler System for Your Home

Not every home needs the same solution. The right wildfire roof sprinkler system depends on your roof size, and available water pressure. Here's a quick overview of our product lineup:

Not sure which system is right for your home? Our Buyers Guide walks you through the decision based on your house size, roof type, and water pressure — no guesswork required.

Step 5: Install Your System Before Fire Season

One of the most common mistakes homeowners make is waiting until a fire is nearby to think about protection. By then, it's too late to order, install, and test a system.

Roof Saver Sprinklers are designed for straightforward DIY installation — no plumber required. Most homeowners can complete a full installation in a few hours. Our How It Works page covers the full installation process with step-by-step guidance.

Installation tips to keep in mind:

  • Install and test your system before fire season begins (ideally by May)
  • Check your water pressure at the hose bib before selecting your system
  • Position sprinkler heads to overlap coverage — no dry spots
  • Run a full test after installation to confirm coverage and flow rate
  • Keep your garden hose connection accessible and unobstructed

Your Wildfire Prep Checklist at a Glance

  • ✅ Clear Zone 0 (0-5 ft) Clear of flammable materials
  • ✅ Green Zone 1 (0–30 ft) of dead vegetation and combustible materials
  • ✅ Reduce fuel in Zone 2 (30–100 ft)
  • ✅ Clean gutters and remove debris from roof valleys
  • ✅ Assess roof and deck ember vulnerability
  • ✅ Select the right roof sprinkler system for your home (Buyers Guide)
  • ✅ Install and test your system before peak season
  • ✅ Know your evacuation plan and when to activate your sprinklers

Don't Wait for Smoke on the Horizon

Wildfire home preparation isn't a one-day project — it's a season-long commitment. The good news is that the steps above are achievable for most homeowners, and the investment in a quality ember protection system pays for itself the moment fire threatens your neighborhood.

Roof Saver Sprinklers have been helping to protect homes for over 15 years. Our systems are trusted by homeowners, fire departments, National Parks, and insurance professionals across the Western United States.

Ready to protect your home? Browse our Buyers Guide to find the right system, or explore our How It Works page to see installation in action.

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