Home Hardening Mesh Program

Residents who live in the Grizzly Peak and Panoramic Mitigation Areas, and in the High Fire Hazard Severity Zones, face the greatest risk from wildfire heat and embers, as they live closest to undeveloped areas like forests and regional parks.

Wildfire heat and embers can often surge ahead of a blaze and expose vulnerabilities built into a home. Making small changes to protect vulnerable areas strengthens your home, reducing the chance that fire, heat, and embers can ignite it, and is part of home hardening. 

Protect your home by covering openings 

Installing metal mesh over vents and gutters, and under decks, lets air flow while blocking embers and other debris from entering your home. 

Install mesh: 

• over all vents around the home to block embers from entering the structure 
• on top of gutters to keep leaves and debris from building up and catching fire around openings 
• under decks to keep embers from igniting materials 

Identify openings around your home, measure them 

Take a walk around your home to identify openings where embers could enter and start a fire. Common areas you might find vents are near the foundation or basement of your home, on a chimney, near an attic space, or on the underside of a roof.

Choose the type of mesh you need that matches the type of area you are covering: 

• Gable Vent/Off-Ridge Vent Mesh, 24" x 19"  
• Foundation Vent Mesh, 7.5" x 16"  
• Soffit Vent Screens, 22" x 3.5"  
• Gutter Guards, 5" x 4'  
• Deck Screening, 24”, 38”, 49” 

Apply for free mesh 

Residents in very high fire risk neighborhoods can request free metal mesh by completing the online application form.  

Before applying, residents should: 

• Identify areas of the home they want to protect 
• Choose the mesh name and size that matches the area of the home you want to cover.  

Once you receive the mesh:

• Cut and trim the material to fit the opening
• Install it securely over vents, on top of gutters, and under decks
• Use the wildfire defense mesh guide to help you through the process

If you hire an installer, make sure they are insured and bonded. This protects you in case of accidents, property damage, or incomplete work in your home.