Fire Season Exterior Checklist for Los Angeles Homeowners

Fire season in Southern California doesn't wait for summer to fully arrive. For homeowners in the serving Santa Clarita, Newhall, Los Angeles, and Ventura foothills, the risk window typically opens in June and extends through October.

Here's a practical fire season exterior checklist for Los Angeles homeowners of what to look at before risk peaks.

1. Soffits and eaves

Open eaves are one of the most common ember entry points in residential fire events. Enclosed soffits, built from fire-resistant materials, significantly reduce this risk. If your home has open eaves or wood soffits, this is the highest-priority exterior upgrade for fire season.

2. Siding material and condition

Wood siding has substantially lower ignition resistance than fiber cement, stucco, or Class A-rated alternatives. If your home has older wood siding — particularly on sides facing prevailing wind or adjacent to vegetation — it's worth having a professional assess the material.

3. Vent screens and openings

Under-eave vents, attic vents, and crawl space openings are pathways for ember intrusion. Ember-resistant vent screens are inexpensive to install and highly effective. Standard metal mesh screens are typically not ember-resistant.

4. Sealing exterior gaps

Small gaps in exterior trim, around window frames, and at the foundation line are pathways for heat and embers. Caulking and sealing these areas is low-cost and worth doing before fire season peaks.

5. The 30-foot zone

Make sure there is no wood debris, dry vegetation, or flammable materials stored directly against the exterior walls. This is defensible space — the most basic line of defense. --- CAL FIRE recommends an annual inspection of your home's roof, eaves, and exterior vents before fire season.

Construction Concern has been serving Santa Clarita, Newhall, Los Angeles, and Ventura area for over 35 years. We work on soffits, siding, exterior trim, and structural upgrades.

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