In the Palisades and Eaton fires, a few fireproofed homes survived while other structures burned around them. (Image/MidJourney)
The devastating L.A. wildfires that recently swept through Altadena, Pasadena, the Pacific Palisades and Malibu left a nearly unimaginable trail of destruction, wiping out whole communities, beloved landmarks, and leaving thousands homeless. In Altadena and Pasadena, the Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church, Fox’s Restaurant, a popular L.A. diner, and the Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center went up in flames. In the Palisades and Malibu, Marquez and Palisades elementary schools were destroyed, along with legendary restaurants such as Moonshadows and Reel Inn.
Together, the Eaton and Palisades fires burned down more than 16,000 buildings, with Eaton claiming more than 6,100 residential structures and Palisades over 5,510, according to the Los Angeles Times. Both fires now rank among the most expensive in U.S. history and among the top 10 most destructive in California history, experts said.
A perfect storm of hurricane-force winds, low humidity, hilly terrain, little rain and desiccated vegetation fueled the mega-blazes. Still, amid the ruins a few, homes survived whose owners had taken extensive fire-preventive measures. Clearing brush around homes, using tempered glass that is less likely to shatter in a fire, and building with fire-resistant materials seemed to make a difference in some cases.
Given the power and force of the L.A. fires, many if not most homes would have likely burned down no matter what actions owners had taken. Even so, making homes as fireproof as possible can increase, by double digits, their odds of surviving wildfires, California Fire Marshal Daniel Berlant told the Los Angeles Times. Such proactive actions could also lower insurance rates.
Below are five ideas from USC Viterbi Professor Fokion Egolfopoulos on how to better fireproof your home or to build back better before the next massive wildfires – and there will be more – sweep through Southern California.
Fokion Egolfopoulos (Photo/Courtesy of USC Viterbi)
Fokion Egolfopoulos – William E. Leonhard Professor of Engineering and Professor of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering
- Keep Embers Out
“Transfer of embers is a mode of fire spread. They are lightweight and can be carried by the wind over long distances. They can ignite, among other things, dry leaves, roof debris, or unprotected vents, causing localized fires. Based on existing data, it is believed that a significant percentage of homes destroyed during wildfires are caused by embers and not by the main core of the fire. It has also been established that embers enter the structure through vents, reaching attics, crawl spaces, and other enclosed areas where they can ignite flammable materials. Thus, the solution is to install ember-resistant vent covers, also known as vent screens or grilles. These covers have small mesh openings that block embers while still allowing proper airflow. Additionally, the use of gutter guards is essential. Gutters can be filled with dry leaves that can easily ignite if embers land on them.”
- Eliminate Combustible Materials Near Homes
“The presence of any combustible material between the property fence and the main structure needs to be avoided or minimized. The fences, the deck, and any patio furniture need to be made of non-flammable materials such as composites. The presence of trees and vegetation in the house’s surrounding area becomes a challenge as the landscape is an essential component for any single-family home. Vegetation that tends to retain water and not dry easily and, at the same time, does not produce liquids, such as flammable oils and resin, should be considered. At the same time, it should be kept to a minimum and as far as possible from the main structure, preferably along the fence. Trees that tend to be less flammable are maple, oak, cherry, crabapple, and river birch, to name a few. It is also essential that the house’s surrounding area is regularly maintained, and the vegetation is regularly watered.”
- Replace Wood Roofs and Conventional Drywall
“Construct the roof and exterior walls with fire-resistant materials. As the fire approaches, heat can be transferred at very high rates via radiation, convection, and conduction. The roof and the external walls will experience the effect of heat first. A major weakness of existing structures is the use of wood and conventional drywalls that are flammable. Once ignited, the fire can consume a house within minutes. A possible solution is replacing, to the maximum extent, flammable materials with concrete, steel, stone, bricks, metal tiles, asphalt shingles, and reinforced, toughened, and laminated glass to enhance safety. Additionally, the insulation needs to be fire-resistant and made out, for example, of fiberglass or mineral wool. While such materials will add to the construction cost, it will pay off in the long term, given that fire damage could be mitigated or minimized.”
- Spray Walls and Roofs
“Fire-retardant material can be sprayed on the walls and the roof. It is believed that the Palisades Village was saved partially because of the use of fire retardant on the structures.”
- Increase the Availability of Water
“Water availability and management are crucial. A water tank secures availability, and a sprinkler system could play a major role in protecting the structure. Appropriately designed and placed sprinkler systems can protect the structure from the approaching fire and the ember showers. The sprinklers must be designed to withstand extreme heat and be properly placed around the structure to create a water barrier. When activated, the sprinklers should saturate the area, deterring thus the ignition of flammable materials. Additionally, long water hoses that can reach all areas, including roofs and decks, should be installed. Regarding water availability, installing pumps that could draw water from swimming pools or wells could also be crucial in suppressing fire. If those water sources are not available, a large-capacity water storage tank should be considered.”
Published on February 10th, 2025
Last updated on February 10th, 2025
