Wind-driven embers
Embers can travel far ahead of the main fire. They may collect in gutters, decks, vents, mulch, dry leaves and other receptive fuels near a structure.
Wildfire Knowledge
How Wildfire Exposes Structures
Embers, heat and flame contact
Four exposure pathways
The main fire does not have to touch a home for it to ignite.
Embers, heat and connected fuels can threaten different parts of a structure at the same time.
Radiant heat
Radiant heat moves outward from flames and can preheat nearby materials. Greater separation and lower fuel intensity can reduce this exposure.
Convective heat
Hot gases and flame movement can carry heat upward and with the wind. Slopes and vegetation arrangement can influence this pathway.
Direct flame contact
Grass, brush, fences, decks, stored material or other connected fuels can provide a direct route for flames to reach a building.
Why the first five feet matter
Combustible material immediately next to a structure can allow small embers or flames to become a structure fire. Vegetation management near the building should be coordinated with home-hardening measures.
Practical priorities
- Remove accumulated dead leaves and needles
- Reduce combustible vegetation against walls and decks
- Separate shrubs from windows, eaves and vents
- Keep access routes visible and passable
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