Jan 23, 2025
Amid the charred rubble of burnt-down homes in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, you’ll find one Chautauqua Blvd. home still standing — which the owners credit to fire-resistant features installed during its construction.
"Seeing all our friends' and neighbors' houses gone is brutal," Michael Kovac told ABC7 of the wildfire that ravaged the area in early January.
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Kovac, an architect, and his wife Karina Maher had a feeling such a disaster might happen. After moving into the neighborhood in 2002, according to the local broadcaster, the couple deconstructed the existing 1950s home on the property and built a new one with an emphasis on sustainability and fire resilience.
It seems the work paid off, and the couple hopes their story can help others preserve their homes in fire-prone areas.
"The good news is we can do this," Kovac said. "Architecturally, as a construction industry, there are not hugely expensive ways to rebuild in a way to make sure this doesn't happen again."
Here are five specific fire-resistant features used that the couple believes helped save their home. As always, homeowners considering any of these measures should consult with a qualified expert to see what's appropriate for their home and location.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Christy Bieber has 15 years of experience as a personal finance and legal writer. She has written for many publications including Forbes, Kilplinger, CNN, WSJ, Credit Karma, Insurify and more.
