The green hills of spring don’t last long—by summer, they dry out fast and become a fire hazard. With wildfire season looming and forecasts pointing to a dangerous year, now’s the time to make sure your home is ready. A solid wildfire plan could mean the difference between minor cleanup and total loss. The Thomas Fire proved no neighborhood is immune. Start now. Stay ready.
At Total Restoration, we’re here to help you prepare—like a neighbor who’s been through it and knows what matters most. From protecting your home to easing the stress of insurance, we’ve got your back. Because you don’t just need cleanup—you need a team that cares, that builds you back stronger, with heart.
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 90% of well-prepared homes survive wildfires. But with fire season starting earlier each year—sometimes as soon as May—there’s no time to waste. How can you make sure your home is truly ready? What actions matter most? Let’s break it down with practical steps that protect what matters most.
The 5-Zone Defensible Space Strategy (Ventura Compliant)
Your wildfire preparedness checklist begins with creating a strong defensible space around your home. Think of five key zones, each designed to slow or stop approaching flames. These zones work together like layers of protection. Here’s how to set them up the right way:
- Zone 0 (0-5 feet): Ember-Proof Your Home Swap out flammable wood mulch with gravel or stone to reduce ember ignition near your home. Cover vents with 1/8-inch metal mesh to keep floating sparks out. Remove all dead plants or branches touching exterior walls—every twig matters when you're building real wildfire resilience.
- Zone 1 (5-30 feet): Fuel-Free Perimeter Trim trees to keep 10 feet between canopies, so fire can’t jump. Plant fire-resistant succulents or ice plant, which shrug off heat. Remove dry brush to starve flames. At Total Restoration, we help elderly homeowners clear hazardous vegetation, meeting defensible space requirements Ventura County sets.
- Zone 2 (30-100 feet): Reduced Fuel Area Keep grass trimmed to no more than 4 inches to reduce how quickly fire can spread across your property. Shrubs should be spaced at least three times their height apart to act as natural firebreaks. These small adjustments give emergency crews critical access and boost your home’s chances of survival.
Home Hardening: 7 Critical Upgrades
- Roofing: Choose Class A materials like clay tile or metal they resist embers better than shingles, a key fireproof tip.
- Siding: Swap wood for fiber cement, which stands up to flames.
- Windows: Install dual-pane tempered glass to block heat, keeping fire’s grip at bay.
- Decks: Add stainless steel ember guards to stop sparks from catching your deck, a simple fireproof home tip.
- Gutters: Use metal gutters with leaf screens to keep debris from igniting, protecting your roofline.
- Fencing: Pick non-combustible materials within 5 feet of your home to halt fire’s creep.
- Driveway: Clear a 12-foot-wide path for fire truck access.
The 72-Hour Evacuation Prep Kit
Your checklist isn’t complete without a 72-hour evacuation kit ready to go when sirens sound. Here’s what to pack:
- Documents: Store insurance policies and ID scans on a USB for quick claims, keeping your records safe if you need to leave fast.
- N95 Masks: Include masks to shield lungs from smoke, a must for Ventura County’s wildfire air, protecting your family’s breathing.
- Emergency Cash: Pack cash for unexpected needs, like a night in a motel, when cards might not work during an evacuation.
- Room Photos: Snap photos of every room now, as Total Restoration’s fireproof home tips suggest it’s a game-changer for post-fire insurance claims.
- Fireproof Safe Items: Store irreplaceable treasures, like heirloom jewelry or family letters, in a fireproof safe to keep them secure.
This kit keeps you calm and prepared, no matter where evacuation takes you.
Post-Wildfire Protection: Even If Your Home Survives
Post-fire care is essential—especially inspecting your HVAC system for hidden contamination that can silently circulate harmful particles throughout your space. A thorough inspection ensures lingering threats don’t compromise your air quality or your peace of mind.
Emergency tarping saves a compromised roof from rain, and reviewing insurance claims catches underpayments, which hit 30% of payouts. Total Restoration’s care ensures you stay safe, meeting defensible space requirements Ventura County expects even after the flames.
How Total Restoration Helps Before & After Fires
- Pre-Season Defensible Space Clearing: We remove dry brush and trim trees, ensuring your yard meets defensible space requirements Ventura County sets, keeping fire at a distance.
- Ember Risk Audits: Our team checks for weak spots, like uncovered vents, to block embers before they strike.
- Fireproof Home Tips: We share practical advice, like choosing metal gutters, saving you stress and money.
- Post-Fire Board-Up Services: After a fire, our 24/7 crew secures your home with fast board-ups, protecting it from rain or looters.
- Soot Removal Expertise: We clean soot gently, using Ventura County-trusted methods, to keep damage low.
- Insurance Claim Advocacy: We handle the claim process from start to finish, making sure you get every dollar you're owed—so you can focus on upgrades that strengthen your wildfire preparation. Our job is to remove the stress, secure your coverage, and help turn every setback into a stronger comeback.
Our heart’s in helping families feel secure, no matter what fire season throws your way.
Bringing Your Ventura County Home Back to Life
Wildfires are unpredictable, but preparation can make all the difference. A solid wildfire readiness plan helps withstand smoke, soot, and flame. At Total Restoration, we’re more than a cleanup crew—we’re a dedicated team committed to protecting your property and rebuilding with purpose. From emergency response to complete recovery, we deliver lasting results you can count on.