Home Wildfire Hardening Assessment Checklist
This checklist is educational and is not an official fire-department inspection. Use it to review the roof, gutters, vents, eaves, decks, siding, garage, fencing, windows, chimney and the first five feet around your home.
Local East Bay · Photo-based assessments · Clear next steps
Serving Oakland Hills, Berkeley Hills, Orinda, Moraga, Lafayette, Walnut Creek and surrounding communities.
View the Original Oakland Firesafe Council Checklist
The original Oakland Firesafe Council Guide #15 remains the work of its original publisher.
Source: Oakland Firesafe Council, Guide #15, Assessment Checklist for Home Wildfire Hardening. The original document remains the work of its original publisher.
Interactive walk-around checklist
1. Roof
The roof covering is in good condition with no missing or damaged pieces.
Open ends of tile or curved shingles are blocked so embers cannot enter.
Skylights, solar penetrations and other roof features are clear of debris.
Roof-to-wall junctions look tight and are free of gaps.
2. Gutters
Gutters are free of leaves, needles and other debris.
Noncombustible gutter covers are installed or planned.
Downspouts are secure and clear.
3. Vents
Attic, gable, soffit, foundation and crawlspace vents have intact metal screens.
Vent openings show no visible gaps around the frame.
Any large or oversized openings have been evaluated for an ember-resistant vent option.
4. Eaves and Soffits
Open eaves have been evaluated for enclosure.
Blocking between rafters is in place and undamaged.
Soffit panels are intact with no missing sections.
5. First Five Feet
The area within five feet of the home is free of combustible mulch and stored materials.
Firewood is stored away from the exterior walls.
Dead vegetation has been removed near the home.
Plants near the home will not touch the wall as they grow.
6. Decks and Porches
Debris between deck boards has been cleared.
The area beneath the deck is free of combustible storage.
The deck-to-wall connection has been reviewed for ignition risk.
Furniture and cushions can be moved during high-risk conditions.
7. Siding and Exterior Walls
Siding is intact with no visible rot or damage.
Penetrations around pipes and conduits are sealed.
Trim boards are secure with no exposed gaps.
8. Garage
The garage door has bottom and side seals.
Garage side and rear vents are screened.
Combustible storage is not stacked against the interior walls.
Manual operation is possible during a power outage.
9. Fences and Gates
Wood fencing that connects to the home has been evaluated for a five-foot noncombustible transition.
Metal gates remain operable during a power outage.
Fence lines are clear of dry vegetation.
10. Windows and Doors
Exterior-facing windows are dual-pane or scheduled for upgrade.
Metal window screens are intact.
Exterior doors are solid-core with tight thresholds and weatherstripping.
11. Chimney
The chimney has an intact spark arrestor.
The area around the chimney is free of overhanging branches.
The chimney cap is secure.
Not sure about one or more areas?
A short assessment can turn uncertainty into a clear next step.
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