Now that wind advisories + winter dryness hitting at the same time, I had a chance to interview Nicholai Allen, wildland firefighter + founder of Safe SOSS!
What are some ways that people in wildfire-prone areas can reduce fire risk before traveling?
Before leaving home—whether for a weekend or the holidays—homeowners in wildfire-prone areas should make sure the property can withstand wind-driven embers, which are responsible for the majority of home ignitions. Key steps include:
• Block ember entry points:
Install a physical barrier over exterior vents and gaps. SAFE SOSS’s Universal Ember Guard Carbon Filter is designed to block embers and airborne firebrands that can enter attic and crawlspace vents. Homeowners should also inspect for cracks around eaves, rooflines, and under decks.
• Seal vulnerable areas:
Temporarily and safely seal small openings around utility penetrations, vents, and exposed seams where embers could lodge. High-heat ember tape or similar materials can serve as a supplemental measure to prevent ember intrusion—especially during periods of high winds when no one is home.
• Defend key surfaces:
Apply a risk-reduction spray or fire-resistant treatment to fences, siding edges, around decks, and other exposures where ember accumulation is likely. Treating these areas helps slow ignition from small ember piles and buys valuable time if a fire approaches while homeowners are away.
• Clear near-home fuels:
Remove leaves from gutters, clear pine needles from roofs, rake away debris within the first 0–5 ft zone, and relocate combustible items (brooms, doormats, outdoor cushions) away from exterior walls.
• Prepare interior air quality protection:
Close windows, turn off attic fans, and keep a carbon-filter barrier over vents. This helps reduce smoke infiltration if a fire occurs during travel.
What are some common mistakes homeowners make in December?
December brings two risks: complacency and holiday debris buildup. Common mistakes include:
• Assuming wildfire danger is “over” for the year
Wind-driven fires—even in December—remain a risk due to dry vegetation and offshore wind events. Many iconic California winter wildfires happened during this exact period.
• Ignoring vents and gaps because vegetation looks wet
Vegetation moisture may rise in winter, but ember vulnerability doesn’t change—vents, gaps, and exposed edges remain open pathways into the home.
• Letting debris accumulate during storms
Homes often collect leaves in gutters and valleys after windstorms. This creates flammable beds directly against the home.
• Storing holiday packaging outdoors
Cardboard boxes, discarded greenery, and wrapping debris get left beside garages or porches. These materials ignite quickly if embers arrive.
• Blocking attic ventilation without using rated or purpose-built materials
Some people try to DIY-seal vents with plastic or painter’s tape during wind events, creating moisture problems or violating building code ventilation requirements. SAFE SOSS components are non-permanent, breathable, and designed specifically for ember-blocking applications.
Why is winter a good time to prep houses to reduce risk?
Winter is an ideal prep season for three reasons:
• The wildfire-off-season gives homeowners time to upgrade without pressure.
Vent protection, ember guards, sealing work, and exterior maintenance are easier to complete when days are cooler and wildfire warnings are less frequent.
• Winter storms reveal vulnerabilities.
Wind and rain expose where water, debris, and fine particulates enter a structure. Those are the same pathways embers use. If leaves can get in, embers can too. SAFE SOSS’s Block–Seal–Defend steps can be applied proactively based on what winter weather reveals.
• Treatments and materials cure and adhere better in cooler conditions.
Many sealants, tapes, and defensive coatings—including wildfire risk-reduction sprays—perform optimally when not exposed to summer heat during installation.
• Inspections are easier when roofs and siding aren’t scorching hot.
Checking vents, eaves, under-deck areas, and attic access points is far safer and easier in winter.
What do wildfire-zone homes need to do before winter storms and wind?
High-wind winter events are one of the biggest threats for ember movement. Homes in wildfire zones should take the following steps:
• Block vents to stop wind-blown embers and debris from entering.
Before major wind events, ensure attic, gable, and crawl-space vents have a proper ember-blocking layer. The SAFE SOSS carbon-matrix filter provides both ember resistance and particulate filtration while maintaining airflow.
• Seal exposed cracks and vulnerable edges.
Storms shake loose siding edges, soffit gaps, and roofline seams—exactly where embers embed during wildfires. Applying a supplemental high-heat ember tape provides a temporary, removable defense layer that holds up during wind, rain, and temperature swings.
• Defend combustible surfaces.
Use a risk-reduction spray on common ember-landing zones: fence lines, wooden features, under-deck areas, and vulnerable siding edges. Winter winds redistribute dry material, and these surfaces benefit from a defensive coating that slows ignition.
• Remove storm-blown debris quickly.
Leaves, needles, and broken branches collect in the 0–5 ft home ignition zone. This material becomes highly flammable once dry. Clear it after every storm.
• Check gutters, downspouts, and drainage paths.
Clogged gutters increase ignition risk and can also cause water intrusion. Keeping gutters clean is a dual-benefit action against both winter storm damage and wildfire ember accumulation.
• Secure outdoor items.
Loose items—cushions, patio furniture, tarps—can move in storms and either block drainage or become fuel beds near the home.
• Confirm backup power options for ventilation and filtration systems.
Smoke events sometimes accompany winter wind events. Ensuring indoor filtration and fans can operate (or remain sealed off) during outages improves resilience.
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