PROTECTING YOUR HOME FROM WILDFIRES
Want to make your home and property safer from wildfire? Experts have spent decades studying what really works in our canyon, and the first line of defense starts with creating defensible space around your home.
Below are quick references to get you started on your path to home safety. For detailed information, refer to the Topanga Disaster Survival Guide.
Hardening Your Home
The TEM Task Force recommends scheduling a Home Ignition Zone Evaluation. Through the RCD of the Santa Monica Mountains’ Wildfire and Community Resilience Program, trained evaluators will walk your property with you, looking at how vulnerable your home and landscape may be to fire and flying embers. You’ll get clear, practical recommendations tailored to your home—covering both defensible space and home-hardening improvements. Contact the RCD to sign up.
We also encourage you to explore Topanga’s Fire Safe Council. Their website offers valuable resources, including video presentations and step-by-step guidance, to help you better protect your home and property from wildfire.
Join the Topanga Firewise Community
Topanga, being a Firewise USA® Community means we all benefit. It raises awareness about wildfire risks, may qualify some for insurance discounts, builds a stronger, more connected community, and opens doors to grants and resources.
Research shows that well-prepared homes are far more likely to survive a wildfire — and Firewise neighborhoods also give firefighters a safer place to work when they come to protect us.
As you harden your home and perform your brush clearing, be sure to submit the time and money you have spent to Firewise. *This is an annual program for Topanga — so the more people that participate, it will help sustain the Firewise benefits for all.
Go to Onetopanga to get more information on how you can contribute to being Firewise.