Research from the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) and Cal Fire consistently shows that most homes destroyed in wildfires ignite from embers — not from direct flame contact. A wildfire can produce billions of embers that travel miles ahead of the fire front, landing on and around homes and igniting them long before the main fire arrives. This is both sobering and empowering news: it means that targeted home hardening upgrades can dramatically improve your home's survivability, even if you live in a high-risk area.
Home Hardening Can Also Lower Your Insurance Premiums
Oregon's proposed wildfire mitigation legislation would require insurers to consider home hardening efforts when setting rates. Documenting your improvements and sharing them with your Prineville Insurance agent can help you qualify for better terms — and potentially avoid non-renewal in high-risk areas.
The 12 Most Impactful Home Hardening Upgrades
Listed roughly in order of impact and cost-effectiveness, these upgrades address the most common ignition pathways identified by wildfire researchers:
Install Ember-Resistant Vents
High ImpactCost: $Attic and foundation vents are the most common entry point for embers. Replace standard vents with 1/16-inch mesh ember-resistant vents. This is one of the highest-impact, lowest-cost upgrades available.
Replace or Upgrade Your Roof
High ImpactCost: $$$Wood shake and shingle roofs are highly vulnerable to ember ignition. Replace with Class A fire-rated materials — metal roofing, concrete or clay tile, or composition shingles with a Class A rating. The roof is the most critical surface to protect.
Enclose Eaves and Soffits
High ImpactCost: $$Open eaves are a major vulnerability — embers can accumulate in open soffits and ignite the structural framing. Box in open eaves with non-combustible materials (fiber cement, stucco, or metal).
Create a Non-Combustible Zone (0-5 Feet)
High ImpactCost: $Remove all combustible materials within 5 feet of the home — mulch, wood piles, propane tanks, combustible furniture, and plants. Replace with gravel, concrete, or other non-combustible ground cover. This zone is critical because embers accumulate here.
Upgrade Windows
Medium-High ImpactCost: $$Single-pane windows can crack from radiant heat, allowing embers and flames to enter. Upgrade to double-pane or tempered glass windows. Multi-pane windows with tempered inner panes provide the best protection.
Replace Combustible Decking
Medium-High ImpactCost: $$$Wood decks are a significant ignition risk — embers can accumulate under decks and ignite the structure. Replace with composite decking (Trex, TimberTech), concrete, or metal. If replacement isn't feasible, enclose the space under the deck with non-combustible skirting.
Seal Gaps and Penetrations
Medium ImpactCost: $Gaps around pipes, wires, and other penetrations through exterior walls can allow embers to enter wall cavities. Seal with non-combustible caulk or foam. This is a low-cost, high-value improvement.
Clean Gutters Regularly
Medium ImpactCost: $Gutters filled with leaves and pine needles are a prime ignition target. Clean gutters at least twice per year, and consider installing metal gutter guards to reduce debris accumulation. Metal gutters are preferable to vinyl.
Upgrade Exterior Siding
Medium ImpactCost: $$$Wood and vinyl siding are combustible. Fiber cement siding (HardiePlank), stucco, brick, and stone are all fire-resistant alternatives. If full replacement isn't feasible, prioritize the lower portions of the home where ember accumulation is greatest.
Install Ember-Resistant Garage Doors
Medium ImpactCost: $$Garage doors often have gaps at the bottom and sides that allow ember intrusion. Install a garage door with a tight seal, or add weatherstripping to reduce gaps. Metal garage doors are preferable to wood.
Protect Fences and Gates
Low-Medium ImpactCost: $$Wood fences that connect directly to the home can act as a fire pathway. Replace the section of fence within 5 feet of the home with metal or masonry, or create a break in the fence at the home's exterior wall.
Pursue IBHS Wildfire Prepared Certification
High (for insurance) ImpactCost: $The IBHS Wildfire Prepared Home designation is a nationally recognized certification that documents your home's fire resistance. Many insurers recognize this certification when underwriting high-risk properties. Contact Prineville Insurance to learn how this certification can affect your coverage options.
Oregon's New Home Hardening Requirements
Oregon has enacted new rules requiring homeowners in designated high-risk wildfire areas to comply with specific defensible space and home hardening standards. Homeowners in these areas may be required to document compliance and provide evidence to their insurer. Failure to comply can affect your insurability. Contact your local Oregon State Forestry office or your Prineville Insurance agent to determine whether your property is in a designated high-risk area and what requirements apply.
At Prineville Insurance, we specialize in wildfire insurance for Central Oregon homeowners. Whether you're in Bend, Sisters, La Pine, or Prineville, we can help you understand your wildfire risk, document your home hardening efforts, and find the best coverage options for your situation.
