Wildfire Season: A Year-Round Threat to Your Home

For many homeowners in California, the first sign of trouble isn't smoke on the horizon—it's a non-renewal notice in the mailbox. The home insurance crisis is a real and immediate problem, forcing families to accept less coverage for higher premiums or turn to last-resort options. This financial pressure is a direct result of a physical threat that has fundamentally changed. The traditional 'wildfire season' has expanded into a year-round danger, and insurers are responding by tightening their requirements. This guide is designed to help you meet that challenge. We’ll walk through the specific, practical steps you can take to reduce your home’s risk, making it more resilient to fire and more attractive to insurers.

Key Takeaways

• Treat Wildfire Prep as a Year-Round Habit: The idea of a predictable "fire season" is gone. True preparedness means making risk reduction, like clearing defensible space and checking emergency kits, a regular part of your home maintenance routine, not just a seasonal task.
• Make Your Home a Harder Target: You can dramatically increase your home's chance of survival by focusing on two proven strategies. Create and maintain defensible space to stop a ground fire, and harden your home with fire-resistant materials to block flying embers—these are the actions insurers and firefighters value most.
• Your Plan Must Cover People, Not Just Property: A resilient home is only part of the solution. Create a detailed plan that protects your family’s health with clean air solutions, ensures their safety with practiced evacuation routes, and secures your finances by documenting mitigation efforts for your insurer.

What Is the "New Normal" for Wildfires?

If you live in a wildfire-prone area, you’ve probably noticed a shift. The familiar rhythm of a predictable "fire season" has been replaced by a year-round sense of uncertainty. What was once a concern limited to the hot, dry months of late summer and fall now feels like a constant threat. This isn't just a feeling; it's a reality driven by a combination of factors that have fundamentally changed the nature of wildfire risk.

Understanding this "new normal" is the first step toward protecting your home and family. It’s not about living in fear, but about adapting your preparedness strategy to match the current landscape. The key drivers behind this change are a longer and more intense fire period, shifting climate and weather patterns, and an accumulation of dry vegetation that acts as fuel. Together, these elements create conditions for fires that are larger, faster, and more destructive than ever before. By getting clear on what’s happening and why, you can take targeted, effective actions to reduce your risk and stay insurable, no matter the season.

From Fire Season to Fire Year

The idea of a distinct "fire season" is quickly becoming a thing of the past. For many, especially in states like California, it’s now a fire year. As one report notes, "California's wildfire season is now year-round and much worse than before. Fires are happening in unexpected places and times, even in January." This means the window for preparedness has closed—or rather, it never closes.

This shift requires a permanent state of readiness. You can no longer wait until late summer to clear brush or check your emergency kits. The risk of an ember storm or a fast-moving grass fire is present even in months that were once considered safe. Adopting a year-round mindset is crucial for keeping your property hardened and your evacuation plan ready at a moment's notice.

How Climate and Weather Fuel Fires

Changing climate patterns are a primary driver behind the increase in wildfire activity. It’s not a distant, abstract concept; its effects are creating dangerous conditions right in our backyards. According to NASA, rising global temperatures are making wildfires happen more often, burn hotter, and cover larger areas. This translates into more frequent heatwaves, lower humidity, and prolonged droughts that parch the landscape.

These conditions prime forests and grasslands for ignition. A single spark from a downed power line or a stray ember can ignite a catastrophic blaze when vegetation is critically dry. Understanding that weather and climate are fueling more extreme fire behavior helps explain why traditional firefighting methods are sometimes overwhelmed and why personal preparedness is more important than ever.

The Role of Dry Vegetation and Fuel

The landscape itself has become a significant part of the problem. For decades, official policy focused on suppressing every fire as quickly as possible. While well-intentioned, this approach allowed forests to become unnaturally dense with flammable material. This buildup of what experts call "fuel load" means that when fires do start, they burn with an intensity that is much harder to control.

Adding to the issue are millions of dead trees, weakened by years of drought and insect infestations, which act as ready-made tinder. This abundance of dry fuel is a critical factor in the explosive growth of modern wildfires. For homeowners, this highlights the importance of managing the vegetation on your own property by creating defensible space, which is one of the most effective steps you can take to protect your home.

How Wildfire Risk Varies Across the Country

Wildfire is no longer just a problem for the West Coast. While certain states face more frequent and intense fires, the threat is growing and changing in nearly every part of the country. Understanding your region’s specific risks—from weather patterns and climate trends to the primary causes of ignition—is the first step in protecting your home and family. Different areas face unique challenges, whether it’s year-round fire danger, shifting seasons, or emerging threats in places that once seemed safe. This isn't about creating fear; it's about building awareness so you can take effective action.

Knowing what drives wildfire risk where you live helps you focus your preparedness efforts. For example, a homeowner in an area prone to lightning strikes might prioritize creating a robust defensible space, while someone in a region where human-caused fires are common might focus more on community education and fire-safe practices around their property. Insurers are also paying close attention to these regional details when they decide who and what to cover. By understanding your local fire environment, you're not just preparing for a disaster—you're also taking a critical step toward managing your home's insurability. This knowledge empowers you to create a plan that addresses the most likely threats you’ll face.

California: A Year-Round Reality

If you live in California, you know the idea of a predictable "fire season" is a thing of the past. Experts now agree that the state faces a year-round threat. As CalMatters reports, "California's wildfire season is now year-round and much worse than before," with destructive fires breaking out even in once-safe months like January. Hotter, drier conditions mean that vegetation is ready to burn almost any time. For homeowners, this new normal requires constant vigilance. You can no longer wait until summer or fall to clear your defensible space or check your emergency kits. Preparedness has to be a permanent mindset, integrated into your regular home maintenance routine.

The Pacific Northwest: Shifting Seasons

In the Pacific Northwest, wildfire season has historically been more defined. According to the National Weather Service, the threat typically rises after mid-June and remains high through early September. However, this window is becoming less reliable. Extended droughts and intense summer heatwaves are making the fire season longer and more severe. Homeowners in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho are now seeing major fires start earlier and burn later into the fall. This shift means that traditional timelines for preparedness are no longer sufficient, and residents must be ready for dangerous conditions to develop well outside the historic "season."

The South and Midwest: Emerging Threats

Many people are surprised to learn that states in the South and Midwest face significant wildfire risk. While massive forest fires are less common, grass and brush fires can spread with incredible speed, threatening homes and communities. A key factor here is human activity. The Center for Climate and Energy Solutions notes that people are responsible for starting more than 80% of wildfires. In states like Texas, Oklahoma, and Florida, a combination of expanding development into wildlands, periods of drought, and accidental ignitions creates a serious and growing threat that many homeowners are unprepared for.

The Inland Northwest: Growing Dangers

The Inland Northwest, which includes parts of eastern Washington, northern Idaho, and western Montana, faces a unique set of challenges. The region sees around 2,000 wildfires each year. While some are human-caused, lightning is a major natural ignition source. So-called "dry lightning" storms, which produce strikes but little to no rain, are especially dangerous. These strikes can spark fires in remote, hard-to-reach areas. When combined with the region's often gusty winds, a small lightning fire can quickly explode into a major incident, giving homeowners little time to react.

Why "Fire Season" Is a Thing of the Past

If you still think of wildfire risk in terms of a specific "season," it's time for a new mindset. The idea of a predictable period of high danger, typically in the hot, dry months of late summer and fall, is dangerously outdated. A combination of factors—a changing climate, widespread drought, and community expansion—has erased the lines on the calendar. Wildfire is no longer a seasonal threat; it's a year-round reality. Understanding this shift is the first step toward truly protecting your home and family. The old assumptions no longer apply, and our approach to preparedness needs to evolve with the risk.

Longer, More Intense Fire Seasons

The calendar can no longer predict when your home is at risk. Across the globe, fire seasons are getting longer, starting earlier in the spring and lasting well into the fall. In many parts of the Western U.S., the period of high fire danger is now more than a month longer than it was just a few decades ago. This extended timeline means there’s less of an "off-season" for vegetation to recover and for firefighters to conduct prescribed burns. For homeowners, it means the window of vulnerability is wider than ever, requiring constant vigilance instead of just seasonal prep work.

The Impact of Widespread Drought

Think of the plants, trees, and grasses around your property as fuel. For years, warmer temperatures and prolonged droughts have been drying out this fuel, creating a landscape that’s primed to burn. Vegetation that is moisture-starved ignites more easily, burns hotter, and allows fire to spread much faster. This isn't just a problem in arid regions; even areas that were once considered lush are experiencing drier conditions. This abundance of dry fuel means that a stray spark from machinery or a lightning strike can escalate into a major wildfire with terrifying speed, at any time of year.

How Community Growth Increases Risk

More of us are living closer to nature than ever before, but that proximity comes with a risk. As communities expand into areas bordering forests and wildlands—often called the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI)—more homes are placed directly in the path of potential wildfires. This growth increases the chances of human-caused ignitions from sources like power lines, vehicles, or campfires. It also means that a fire that starts in a wildland area can quickly become a devastating urban disaster. Because of this, residents need to be prepared for wildfires year-round, not just during a traditional "season."

What's Changed About Fire Behavior

Wildfires are breaking the old rules. We're now seeing fires in places and at times that were once unthinkable, like the destructive fires that have burned in California in the middle of January. Experts agree that California's wildfire season is now year-round and far more volatile than before. Fires are driven by a combination of factors, including human activity and natural events like lightning, which are becoming more frequent and intense. This new reality means you can't rely on past experience to predict future risk. The only reliable strategy is to assume your home could be threatened at any time and prepare accordingly.

Protect Your Home: Key Actions to Take Now

Facing a year-round wildfire threat can feel overwhelming, but it’s important to remember that you have the power to make a real difference. The actions you take can significantly improve your home’s chances of survival and help keep your family safe. Insurers are also paying close attention to these efforts, and taking proactive steps is one of the best ways to maintain your coverage.

Focusing on proven risk-reduction strategies is the key. These aren’t just suggestions; they are practical, effective measures recommended by fire safety experts. From clearing the area immediately around your home to making smart choices about building materials, each step adds a layer of protection. Think of it as a comprehensive defense system for your property. By tackling these tasks now, you’re not just preparing for a potential fire—you’re investing in your home’s resilience and your own peace of mind. Let’s walk through the most critical actions you can take today.

Create Defensible Space

Creating "defensible space" is one of the most effective actions you can take. This is the buffer zone you create between your home and the surrounding grass, trees, and wildland. According to Cal Fire, clearing flammable vegetation within 100 feet of your property can make your home significantly more likely to survive a wildfire. Start with the 5-foot zone closest to your house, removing all dead plants, leaves, and flammable mulch. From there, work your way out, thinning trees and removing brush to slow a fire’s spread. This space gives firefighters a chance to defend your home safely.

Choose Fire-Resistant Building Materials

The materials your home is made of play a huge role in its ability to withstand a wildfire. This concept, known as "home hardening," focuses on preventing embers from igniting your house. When it’s time for an upgrade or repair, choose fire-resistant materials. Opt for metal or tile roofs instead of wood, install double-paned windows to resist heat, and cover vents with fine metal mesh to block embers. Siding made from stucco or fiber cement is far less flammable than wood. Even small changes, like sealing gaps where embers could enter, can make a big impact on your home’s resilience.

Complete Your Regular Maintenance Checklist

Wildfire preparedness isn’t a one-time task; it’s part of your regular home maintenance routine. Just as you check your smoke detectors, you should also check your emergency equipment. Make sure flashlights have fresh batteries and that any generators are in good working order. Clean your roof and gutters of leaves and pine needles, as these are perfect kindling for flying embers. Most importantly, regularly review your family’s action plan and plan your escape routes so everyone in your household knows exactly what to do when a fire threatens your area.

Plan for Emergency Access

When a wildfire approaches, every second counts. A solid plan for emergency access ensures your family can get out safely and first responders can get in. Start by signing up for community alerts and knowing your primary and secondary evacuation routes. Your family needs a clear plan detailing where to meet and how to communicate if you get separated. It’s also critical that emergency vehicles can reach your home, so keep your driveway clear and make sure your address is clearly visible from the street. A personalized Wildfire Action Plan can help you organize all these details in one place.

How to Stay Prepared All Year Long

Since wildfire season is now a year-round concern, your preparedness plan should be, too. Protecting your home with defensible space and fire-resistant materials is a critical first step, but true readiness is an ongoing process. It’s about building habits that keep your family safe and your property secure, no matter the season. Think of it less as a single, overwhelming project and more as a series of manageable tasks that you integrate into your yearly routine. This proactive approach not only reduces your risk but also gives you a powerful sense of control in a situation that can often feel unpredictable.

By staying organized and informed, you can face any threat with confidence. The following steps are designed to be repeated and refined over time, ensuring your plan is always current and effective. From understanding how your risk changes with the weather to knowing exactly what to grab when an evacuation order comes, these actions form the foundation of a truly fire-resilient life. They are the practical, repeatable steps that turn anxiety into action and help you protect what matters most. A comprehensive Wildfire Action Plan isn't something you create once and forget; it's a living document that evolves with your family's needs and the changing environment. This section will walk you through the key components of maintaining that plan all year long.

Assess Your Risk Seasonally

Your home’s wildfire risk isn’t static; it changes with the seasons. While you might live in a high-risk area, the immediate threat level fluctuates based on rainfall, wind patterns, and temperature. For example, the danger in the Inland Northwest typically spikes after mid-June, while Southern California braces for dry Santa Ana winds in the fall. Stay aware of your local conditions by following reports from the National Weather Service and your local fire department. Understanding these seasonal shifts helps you know when to be on high alert. It allows you to prioritize maintenance tasks, like clearing gutters in the fall or mowing dry grass in early summer, when they’ll have the most impact on your safety.

Document Your Property and Belongings

If you ever need to file an insurance claim after a fire, having a detailed inventory of your belongings is essential. The easiest way to do this is to walk through your home with your smartphone and record a video of everything you own. Open closets, drawers, and cabinets. Narrate as you go, mentioning specific items and their approximate value. For big-ticket items like electronics or jewelry, take close-up photos of serial numbers and receipts. Once you’re done, upload the video and photos to a secure cloud service like Google Drive or Dropbox. Don’t forget to document the exterior of your property, too. This simple task can make a difficult recovery process much smoother and is a key part of a complete wildfire preparedness plan.

Prepare Your Emergency Supplies

When an evacuation order is issued, you may only have minutes to leave. Having emergency supply kits ready for your home, car, and workplace is non-negotiable. Your "go-bag" should contain essentials to last for at least 72 hours. This includes non-perishable food, at least one gallon of water per person per day, a first-aid kit, flashlights, a hand-crank radio, and any necessary medications. Also pack copies of important documents, cash, and comfort items for children. A complete wildfire preparedness checklist can help you gather everything you need. Remember to check your kits every six months to replace expired food, water, and batteries. This ensures your supplies are ready the moment you need them.

Plan and Practice Your Evacuation Routes

Your family’s safety depends on a clear and well-practiced evacuation plan. Don’t rely on a single way out of your neighborhood—wildfires can move unpredictably and block roads. Identify at least two different evacuation routes and drive them with your family so everyone is familiar with the roads. Designate two meeting spots: one just outside your immediate neighborhood and another farther away in case you can’t return to the area. Most importantly, practice your plan. Run drills where you grab your go-bags and drive to your meeting spot. Practicing helps work out any kinks and reduces panic during a real emergency, ensuring everyone knows exactly what to do and where to go.

What Wildfire Risk Means for Your Home Insurance

The threat of wildfire doesn’t just impact your physical safety; it directly affects your financial security through home insurance. As fires become more frequent and destructive, insurers are re-evaluating how they cover properties in high-risk areas. For many homeowners, this has led to skyrocketing premiums, stricter requirements, and even non-renewal notices, leaving them scrambling for coverage.

Understanding this new reality is the first step toward protecting your home and your finances. Insurers are no longer just looking at your home's location on a map. They are digging into the specific actions you’ve taken to reduce your property’s vulnerability. This shift means that proactive mitigation is more critical than ever. By learning what insurers look for and taking concrete steps to make your home more fire-resilient, you can improve your chances of staying insured and keeping your premiums manageable.

Know Your Coverage Requirements

In many parts of California, finding affordable and comprehensive home insurance has become a serious challenge. Some homeowners are forced to accept policies with less coverage, while others must turn to the state's insurer of last resort, the California FAIR Plan, which often provides more limited protection at a higher cost. It’s crucial to review your current policy now, before you’re facing a renewal deadline.

Understand the specifics of your dwelling coverage, personal property limits, and loss-of-use benefits, which cover temporary living expenses if you’re displaced. Don’t assume you’re fully protected. Talk to your agent about what is and isn’t covered in the event of a wildfire and ask if there are specific mitigation efforts that could help maintain your policy or lower your premium.

How Insurers Assess Your Home's Risk

Insurers use complex models to determine your home’s wildfire risk. This assessment goes far beyond your ZIP code. They analyze factors like the slope of your property, local wind patterns, surrounding vegetation density, and your home’s proximity to past fires. They also evaluate the specific features of your house and property—the very things you have the power to change.

Key factors include your roofing material, the type of siding you have, and whether your vents are ember-resistant. They will also heavily weigh the defensible space you maintain around your home. Creating and documenting a non-combustible zone in the first five feet around your foundation is one of the most effective actions you can take. Proving you’ve reduced these risks can make a significant difference in an insurer’s decision.

Stay Ahead of Policy Changes and Non-Renewals

Don’t wait for a non-renewal notice to arrive in the mail. The insurance landscape is changing quickly, and the best strategy is to be proactive. Start by documenting every single fire mitigation project you complete. Take before-and-after photos of your defensible space work, keep receipts for new vents or roofing materials, and get official inspections or certifications where available.

Present this portfolio of work to your insurance agent well before your renewal period. This demonstrates that you are actively managing your property’s risk. By showing you’re a responsible homeowner, you can position yourself as a better risk in their eyes. A detailed mitigation record is your best tool for keeping your coverage. You can use the Wildfire Action Plan to organize your efforts and create a clear, shareable report for your insurer.

Protect Your Family's Health and Safety

Beyond protecting your home’s structure, a solid preparedness plan prioritizes the well-being of everyone inside. Wildfires introduce immediate physical dangers and significant health risks from smoke that can travel for hundreds of miles. Taking proactive steps to safeguard your family’s health is just as critical as clearing defensible space.

This means having a clear plan for clean air, a practiced evacuation strategy, and the right supplies on hand before a fire ever approaches. When you’re under pressure, you’ll rely on the preparations you make today. Let’s walk through the essential actions that will help keep your loved ones safe and healthy when a wildfire threatens your community.

Monitor Your Air Quality

Wildfire smoke isn’t just a nuisance; it’s a serious health hazard. Smoke is filled with tiny particles that can irritate your eyes and throat and lead to more severe problems like asthma attacks and heart issues, especially for children, older adults, and those with existing conditions. Don’t wait until the air looks hazy to take action. Use online resources like AirNow.gov to check your local Air Quality Index (AQI) daily during fire season. When air quality is poor, stay indoors, close windows and doors, and use high-efficiency filters in your HVAC system or a portable air purifier to create a clean air space in your home.

Know Your Evacuation Protocols

When an evacuation order is issued, you may only have minutes to leave. A well-defined evacuation plan is your family’s most important safety tool. You need to plan escape routes from your neighborhood and have at least two alternatives in case one is blocked by fire or traffic. Make sure everyone in your household knows the plan, including where you will meet if you get separated. Practice your evacuation route so it becomes second nature. A comprehensive Wildfire Action Plan helps you map these routes and organize your emergency strategy in one place, ensuring everyone is prepared to act quickly and safely.

Sign Up for Community Alerts

Don’t rely on a single source for emergency information. Your local authorities use multiple channels to send out critical updates, including evacuation warnings and orders. Sign up for your county’s reverse 911 system or other official emergency alert programs. These systems can send notifications directly to your cell phone via text or call. You can also monitor local news and official social media accounts from your fire department and sheriff’s office. Having access to timely, official community alerts is essential for making informed decisions that protect your family.

Get Your Medical Kit Ready

Your emergency "go bag" should include more than just the basics. In addition to food and water, assemble a dedicated first-aid kit tailored to your family’s needs. Include any prescription medications (a week’s supply is ideal), pain relievers, bandages, and antiseptic wipes. Because of smoke, it’s also smart to pack N95 masks for every family member to protect their respiratory health if you must be outside. This wildfire preparedness checklist can help you gather all the essential items. Keep your kit in a cool, dry, and easily accessible place so you can grab it and go without a second thought.

Build a Fire-Resilient Future

Living with wildfire risk isn't just about reacting to the next threat; it's about building a future where your home and community are fundamentally safer. This long-term approach moves beyond seasonal checklists and into a year-round mindset of resilience. It means looking at the bigger picture—how your property, your neighborhood, and your family’s plans work together to create layers of protection. Building resilience is an ongoing commitment, but it’s also the most powerful way to regain a sense of control in the face of uncertainty.

By focusing on proven strategies, you can do more than just prepare for a fire. You can create a home that is less likely to ignite, a community that works together to reduce shared risk, and a family that knows exactly what to do when an emergency strikes. This forward-thinking approach also addresses the critical aftermath of a fire, ensuring you’re prepared for recovery. Taking these steps not only protects your property and loved ones but also makes your home more defensible for firefighters and more attractive to insurers. It’s about making smart, sustainable choices that pay off for years to come.

Use Proven Risk Reduction Techniques

The most effective way to protect your home is to create a buffer zone around it. This concept, known as defensible space, involves clearing flammable vegetation like dry grass, brush, and overhanging tree limbs within 100 feet of your house. The goal is to stop a ground fire from reaching your home and reduce the chances of ignition from flying embers. Research shows that homes with proper defensible space are significantly more likely to survive a wildfire. It’s one of the most critical investments you can make in your property’s safety and is often a key factor for insurance eligibility.

Coordinate with Your Community

While individual home hardening is essential, wildfire doesn't stop at property lines. True resilience is a team sport. Getting involved with your neighbors and local organizations can amplify everyone’s safety. Programs like Firewise USA® help communities collaborate on risk reduction projects, from clearing shared spaces to creating coordinated evacuation plans. When an entire neighborhood takes action, it creates a much stronger defense than any single homeowner can achieve alone. These collective efforts not only reduce shared risk but can also help your community qualify for grants and insurance discounts.

Create an Emergency Response Plan

When a wildfire threatens, clear thinking can be the first casualty. That’s why having a detailed emergency plan in place beforehand is non-negotiable. This plan should be more than just a vague idea of what to do—it needs to be a written, practiced strategy tailored to your family’s specific needs. It should include multiple evacuation routes, a communication plan for contacting loved ones, and arrangements for pets and anyone with medical needs. A comprehensive Wildfire Action Plan ensures everyone in your household knows their role, what to grab, and where to go, turning panic into purposeful action.

Prepare for Post-Fire Recovery

The danger doesn't always end when the flames are gone. The aftermath of a wildfire can bring new risks, including flooding, mudslides, and contaminated water, especially in areas where vegetation has burned away. Planning for recovery is a crucial part of a complete preparedness strategy. This includes having digital and physical copies of important documents, understanding what your insurance covers for post-fire damage, and knowing who to contact for help. Thinking through these post-fire steps now will make a difficult and emotional recovery process much more manageable.

Related Articles

• A Step-by-Step Home Wildfire Risk Assessment
• Protect Your Home: Top 10 Wildfire Prevention Measures

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the single most important thing I can do to protect my home right now? Start with the area closest to your house. The first five feet around your home’s foundation should be completely free of anything flammable. This is often called the "ember-free zone." Remove dead leaves, pine needles, flammable mulch, and any combustible items stored against the house. This simple action creates a critical barrier that can stop embers from igniting your home, and it’s a manageable first step that makes a huge impact.

How can I prove to my insurance company that I've reduced my home's wildfire risk? Documentation is your best tool. Take clear before-and-after photos of all the mitigation work you do, especially clearing defensible space. Keep receipts for any fire-resistant upgrades, like new vents, roofing, or siding. If you get a professional inspection or certification, save that report. Compile everything into a single file that you can share with your agent well before your policy renewal. This shows them you are proactively managing your risk, which can make a real difference in their decision-making.

My neighbor’s property is overgrown. Does the work I do on my own defensible space still make a difference? Absolutely. While community-wide effort is ideal, the actions you take on your own property are still your most effective defense. Creating defensible space, especially in the zone closest to your home, dramatically reduces the chance that your house will ignite from embers or direct flame. Your work can slow a fire's spread and give firefighters a safe space to defend your home, regardless of what’s happening next door.

What's the difference between "defensible space" and "home hardening"? Think of it this way: defensible space is about managing the area around your home, while home hardening is about strengthening the structure of your home. Defensible space involves clearing flammable vegetation to create a buffer. Home hardening focuses on using fire-resistant building materials—like a metal roof, covered vents, and double-paned windows—to prevent embers from getting inside and igniting the house itself. Both are essential for a complete protection strategy.

How do I stay prepared all year without feeling constantly overwhelmed? The key is to break it down into manageable habits instead of seeing it as one giant project. Integrate preparedness tasks into your regular seasonal maintenance. For example, clean your gutters in the fall, check your emergency kits when you change your clocks for daylight saving time, and walk your property to clear new growth in the spring. By turning preparedness into a routine, it becomes a normal part of homeownership rather than a source of constant anxiety.