Home Assessment Program 

The Home Assessment Program is a free, recommendation-based initiative designed to help landowners align their properties with home hardening and defensible space guidelines. This program aims to enhance community safety and reduce the risk of home ignition due to wildfires. As part of the program, Inland Empire Resource Conservation District (IERCD) staff will conduct a free home hardening and defensible space assessment.

Two people stand on a hillside overlooking a scenic view of a town, with mountains in the background and greenery around.
Staff member with resident during home assessment

What’s included in this program?

  • A free on site home assessment with trained IERCD home assessors, reviewing your homes ignition risk, looking at each defensible space zone and home hardening practices.
  • A detailed summary report providing a list of action items to take place in reducing your homes ignition risk.
  • Resources such as referrals to local agencies, organizations, or contractors. 
  • Free 1/16th inch metal mesh screens to install on your vents to reduce your homes ignition risk.

Eligibility: Own or rent home within the IERCD boundary, not sure if your home is within our service area? Click here to check!

What is Defensible Space?

Defensible Space: Your First Line of Defense


Defensible space is the buffer between your home and the surrounding area. Proper defensible space can slow or stop a wildfire, protect your property, and ensure firefighter safety.

  • Zone 0: Ember Resistant Zone (0-5 ft.)
    The first five feet from your home are critical, as flying embers, which can travel miles, are the leading cause of homes lost to wildfire. To protect your home, ensure there are no flammable materials in your Zone 0. This includes creating hardscape features, removing any dead or living vegetation, and ensuring no combustible items are being stored in this zone. 
  • Zone 1: Home Protection Zone (5-50 ft.)
    Creating space between trees and clearing dead vegetation reduces the fuel available for fires. In this zone, it is essential to remove dead plants, regularly trim trees, and maintain space between vegetation and flammable items. Vegetation islands surrounded by hardscape features (gravel, concrete paths) are also a great way to modify fire bahvior. Keeping exisiting vegetaiton well maintained, lean, and green. 
  • Zone 2: Reduced Fuel / Thinning Zone (50-100 ft.)
    Maintain vegetation, removing any debris accumulation.  Ensure trees are properly space, and no connecting fueld from floor to tree canopy is present. Keep grasses trimmed to 4 inches. 
An illustration shows a house with various zones marked for safety: Immediate, Intermediate, and Extended, with landscaping features.
Visual representaton of denfensible space zones. Photo source: National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) 

What is Home Hardening?

Home Hardening: Protect Against Ember Intrusion

Homes are vulnerable to wildfire due to direct flames, radiant heat, or flying embers. Since embers can travel miles ahead of a fire, it’s crucial to take steps to "harden" your home. This includes many diffrent actions, some include:

  • Building with non combistible, Class A rated products on roof, siding, decks, etc..
  • Identifying cracks or openings within siding, or roof where embers can enter and ensuring all vents are equipped with 1/8th-1/16th inch metal screening to block embers from entering the structure. 
  • Installing dual paned, tempered glass windows. 

Know Your Risk: 

Check your property with the Fire Hazard Severity Zone. This interactive map allows you to put your address in to determine whether you are in a fire hazard zone, and its severity.

 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Do I need to be present for the home assessment? 

No, we do not require you to be present for the walk around of your propertty for the home assessment program. However, we do recommend you to be present as it will be useful to have a dialogue going as our assessors note things on the property to reduce your homes ignition risk. 

How will my information be used? 

We are collecting data to generate a personalized assessment report for you. This program is also benefical in identifying specifc community needs for us to apply for future funding opprtunities in the future. We never sell or share your personal information.

Will I be cited for anything in non-compliance with recommendations made? 

No, we are non regulatory agency and do not report to any other agencies. Our main goal is to educate and provide resources that could better protect your home from ignition. 

Can I participate in this program if I am a renter? 

Yes, renters are welcome to participate in this program with permission given from the property owner. 

Does IERCD staff conduct installations or repairs? 

No, we do not conduct any installations or repairs to properties. However, we will provide you with resources and recommendations of other organizations that can assist you as applicable.