[Craig T]

I live in a high fire area just a couple miles from where the big Thomas Fire (Ventura) is burning. Many of my neighbors are on CFP Insurance ($$$ ). I have cheap AAA fire insurance because of some very simple construction items that can prevent a house from catching embers.

You know how you see a news clip and a few houses in the middle of several burned ones are standing untouched. In addition to a little luck...there are reasons for that. Most wood framed houses that catch fire are due to blowing embers getting caught up under the eaves or blowing into the attic vents. Under the eaves and the attics have exposed wood. Most of these houses are stucco with tile roofs (By CA law, wood shingle roofs can not be replaced or repaired more than 10%) and stucco and tile are fire resistant. The things that keep those houses standing are:

1. Fine screens on attic vents to block sparks and embers.
2. Boxed Eaves (stucco covering underside and all exposed wood)
3. Succulent ground cover and low-flame shrubs close to the house (no pines, cypresses, etc)