FireWise

Building Materials

When possible, use fire resistant materials such as tile, slate, sheet iron, aluminum, brick, or stone for home construction.  Wood siding, cedar shakes, exterior wood paneling, and other highly combustible materials can be treated with fire retardant chemicals.

Things that you can do to help protect your home…

• Clean roof surfaces and gutters of pine needles, leaves, branches, and other organic materials.
• Remove branches that extend within 10 feet of the flue opening of any stove or chimney.
• Maintain a non-flammable screen over the flue opening of every chimney or stovepipe. 
• Landscape vegetation should be spaced so that fire cannot be carried to the home or surrounding vegetation.
• Remove branches from trees to height of 15 feet.
• A fuel break should be maintained around all structures.
• Dispose of fireplace ashes and charcoal briquettes only after soaking them in a metal pail of water.
• Store gasoline in an approved safety can away from occupied buildings.
• Propane tanks should be far enough away from buildings for valves to be shut off in case of fire; keep the area clear of vegetation.
• All combustibles such as firewood, picnic tables, and play equipment should be kept away from structures.
• Garden hose should be connected to the outlet.
• The home address should be indicated at all intersections and on structures.
• All roads and driveways should be at least 16 feet in width.
• Have fire tools handy such as a ladder, shovel, rake and a bucket for water.
• Each home should have at least two different entrance and exit routes.

Learn more about protecting your home from wildland fire by visiting FireWise at https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/By-topic/Wildfire/Firewise-USA