Home Hardening in Action

When wildfire swept through Camarillo, California, Steven Snyder’s fire-hardened home emerged unscathed amid widespread destruction in his neighborhood. By choosing to build with fire-resistant materials—Class A roofing, fireproof siding, ember-resistant vents, and a fully cleared defensible space—Snyder’s home stood resilient against the flames. His story underscores the critical role of wildfire-ready construction as California’s seasons grow more intense, especially in high-risk areas like Marin County.

With retrofitting for fire resilience now front and center, this sector is seeing major growth opportunities for builders and contractors. California is leading the way by encouraging home hardening with strategic retrofits, backed by grant programs and incentives to help communities prepare. Using advanced materials and design strategies isn’t just about saving individual homes; it’s about reinforcing whole neighborhoods, enhancing safety, and sustaining property values. As the demand for fire-resilient construction accelerates, so does the impact this work can have on our most vulnerable communities.

Read the full article here (Source: CNN)