• Discounts and special offers
  • Subscriber-only articles and interviews
  • Breaking news and trending topics

Already a subscriber?

By signing up, you accept Moneywise's Terms of Use, Subscription Agreement, and Privacy Policy.

Not interested ?

Fiber cement siding

Kovac and Maher listed the use of fiber cement siding as one reason their home survived. Fiber cement siding is made of cellulose fibers mixed with cement and sand. It's durable and extremely resistant when it comes to spreading flames. Prices vary depending on exactly what siding product is purchased.

Invest in real estate without the headache of being a landlord

Imagine owning a portfolio of thousands of well-managed single family rentals or a collection of cutting-edge industrial warehouses. You can now gain access to a $1B portfolio of income-producing real estate assets designed to deliver long-term growth from the comforts of your couch.

The best part? You don’t have to be a millionaire and can start investing in minutes.

Learn More

Fortified roof

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has suggested fortifying your roof and constructing it out of fire-resistant materials as two crucial steps to preventing fire damage.

"The roof is the most at-risk in a wildfire because of its size and orientation," the agency warns.

That's perhaps why Kovac and Maher installed a "high performance commercial Class-A roof" as part of their home protection system. These roofs can be made using many fire-resistent materials.

Green roof

A green roof was also on Kovac and Maher's list of fire-resistant steps they took. These are roofs that are partially or completely covered with vegetation and the necessary supporting infrastructure.

There are different kinds of green roofs, but they typically have multiple layers, including structural decking, waterproofing material, drainage, irrigation, soil and vegetation. A well-designed and regularly maintained green roof may be effective against fires. Installation costs can vary depending on size and complexity.

The richest 1% use an advisor. Do you?

Wealthy people know that having money is not the same as being good with money. WiserAdvisor can help you shape your financial future and connect with expert guidance . A trusted advisor helps you make smart choices about investments, retirement savings, and tax planning.

Try Now

Commercial glazing

The couple also installed commercial glazing — insulated glass that Kovac said "prevents radiating heat from going through the windows and igniting the house from within." The cost of glazing can vary depending on the type of material used and the complexity of the project.

Fire retardant system

Finally, Kovac and Maher installed a fire retardant system they were able to call and activate to help save their home.

"On the back of the house, we were always concerned a fire would approach, which it did, from the bottom of the hill up," Kovac said.

Costs can vary by system.

Alternative measures

Even if you're not building a home from scratch or aren't able to refit your current dwelling, FEMA has previously suggested some simple and cost-effective solutions that homeowners can apply to protect their property. These include:

  • Covering exterior attic vents with wire mesh to keep embers out
  • Removing flammable vegetation and combustible materials within 30 feet of a home
  • Keeping roofs and gutters free of debris
  • Installing external sprinkler systems with their own water tank and power source
  • Using fireproof shutters

Implementing any fire-prevention techniques you can afford may be a good idea if you live in a fire-prone area. Hopefully your efforts will pay off and any potential damage will be limited.

The richest 1% use an advisor. Do you?

Wealthy people know that having money is not the same as being good with money. Advisor.com can help you shape your financial future and connect with expert guidance . A trusted advisor helps you make smart choices about investments, retirement savings, and tax planning.

Try it now
Christy Bieber Freelance Writer

Christy Bieber a freelance contributor to Moneywise, who has been writing professionally since 2008. She writes about everything related to money management and has been published by NY Post, Fox Business, USA Today, Forbes Advisor, Credible, Credit Karma, and more. She has a JD from UCLA School of Law and a BA in English Media and Communications from the University of Rochester.

Disclaimer

The content provided on Moneywise is information to help users become financially literate. It is neither tax nor legal advice, is not intended to be relied upon as a forecast, research or investment advice, and is not a recommendation, offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities or to adopt any investment strategy. Tax, investment and all other decisions should be made, as appropriate, only with guidance from a qualified professional. We make no representation or warranty of any kind, either express or implied, with respect to the data provided, the timeliness thereof, the results to be obtained by the use thereof or any other matter. Advertisers are not responsible for the content of this site, including any editorials or reviews that may appear on this site. For complete and current information on any advertiser product, please visit their website.

†Terms and Conditions apply.