Home Hardening
Protecting Your Home and Community in Tahoe Donner
Tahoe Donner is a proud Firewise Community committed to safeguarding our beautiful surroundings. Discover more about the importance of Home Hardening, a crucial step in enhancing the resilience of your home against the threat of wildfires. Implementing home hardening techniques will reduce ember ignitions – a leading cause of home losses during wildfires.
WHY HOME HARDENING MATTERS AT TAHOE DONNER
Building a Shield Against Wildfire Threats
Defensible space and home hardening tie in with Tahoe Donner’s forest management practices to achieve community wildfire protection. The Forestry Department incorporates forest health and wildfire protection objectives in coordination with local and state agencies’ rules and restrictions.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Here is a list of key home updates that qualify as “Home Hardening,” enhancing your home’s resistance to wildfire threats:
ROOFING MATERIALS
Choose fire-resistant roofing materials such as Class A asphalt shingles, metal, tile or slate.
VENTS
Install ember-resistant vents to prevent ember entry and reduce the risk of internal fire spread.
WINDOWS + GLASS
Opt for dual-pane or tempered glass windows to resist radiant heat and ember penetration.
EXTERIOR WALLS
Use ignition-resistant building materials for exterior walls, such as stucco, fiber cement or fire-resistant siding for the first 6″ above the ground.
DECKS + PATIOS
Construct decks and patios with non-combustible materials and create a defensible space around these structures.
EAVES + OVERHANGS
Implement non-combustible soffits and consider enclosed eaves to minimize ember accumulation.
LANDSCAPING
Maintain a defensible space around your home by using fire-resistant plants, removing dead vegetation and creating a fire break.
ACCESS POINTS
Ensure easy access for emergency vehicles by maintaining clear driveways and roadways.
GARAGE DOORS
Choose garage doors made of fire-resistant materials and install weatherstripping to seal gaps.
ATTIC + CRAWLSPACE
Enclose attics and crawlspaces with fire-resistant materials and install ember-resistant vents.
CHIMNEYS + SPARK ARRESTERS
Install spark arresters on chimneys to prevent embers from escaping.
EMERGENCY SIGNAGE
Clearly mark your property with visible signage displaying your address for emergency responders.
This is not a comprehensive list of home updates you can make. Exclusive to Tahoe Donner homeowners - our forestry team offers personalized defensible space inspections. Read on to learn more.
DEFENSIBLE SPACE INSPECTIONS
Guidance from Tahoe Donner's Forestry Staff
During defensible space inspections, the Tahoe Donner forestry staff provides personalized home hardening recommendations to property owners.
The Forestry Department has adopted new inspection software from FireAside that aids inspectors in evaluating properties and providing homeowners a detailed report of their findings, including a parcel-specific list of requirements, location and photos of each issue and recommendations for individuals wanting to take additional steps. Following inspections, FireAside’s resident reports are sent via email to property owners, or you can access your report here. These reports provide a checklist of compliance to-dos and reminders so residents can prioritize and resolve each issue.
View the Defensible Space Inspections Program
EXCLUSIVE INCENTIVES
TRUCKEE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT REBATES:
Incentives for a Safer Home
Explore opportunities to make your home safer with rebates from the Truckee Fire Protection District. Find out more about how you can benefit from rebates of up to $500 for home hardening upgrades that align with the latest safety guidelines.
INSURANCE DISCOUNTS:
Invest in Safety, Reap the Rewards
Did you know? Completing home hardening and defensible space maintenance may qualify you for discounts with your wildfire insurance provider. Investing in safety will not only protect your home but could also offer financial benefits - contact your insurance provider to learn more.
TDPUD WEATHERIZATION REBATES:
Rebates increased for 2024
The Truckee Donner Public Utility District has increased rebates for TDPUD customers who choose to weatherize their homes. Get up to $1,000 in rebates when you weatherize your home, including repairing leaky ducts, drafty doors and aged windows. All TDPUD customers are eligible thanks to Town Measure T funding.
CONNECT WITH TAHOE DONNER FORESTRY DEPARTMENT
Your Partners in Home Safety
For more information or guidance or to schedule a defensible space inspection, reach out to Tahoe Donner's Forestry Department. Together, let's build a safer, more resilient community: defensiblespace@tahoedonner.com or (530) 587-9432.