A Complete Guide to Fireproofing Your Home in Ventura County 

Living in Ventura County means enjoying sunny days, ocean breezes, and unfortunately one of the highest wildfire risks in California. Whether you’re in Ojai, Thousand Oaks, or the hills above Ventura, preparing your home before fire season can make the difference between minor damage and total loss.

This guide walks you through proven fireproofing strategies tailored to Ventura County’s climate, terrain, and building codes.

Harden Your Home’s Exterior 

Roof: Replace wood shakes with Class A fire-rated shingles, clay tile, or metal roofing. These materials resist ignition and are tested under intense heat. Most homes in Ventura County are already equipped with a Class A roof. To ensure that your roof is follow these steps:

Identify your roofing material:

• Examine your roof: Look at the material on your roof. Common materials include asphalt shingles, metal (like steel or copper), clay or concrete tiles, slate, and wood shakes/shingles. 

• Check for labels or markings: Some roofing materials have markings indicating their fire rating.

• Consult your contractor or building department: If you're unsure, a professional roofing contractor or your local building department can help identify your roofing material and its fire rating. 

Below are two examples, the first shows a Class A roof and the second a Class B roof.

Vents: Install 1/8-inch metal mesh ember-resistant vent screens to prevent embers from entering attics or crawlspaces.

Here at Wildfire Warden we particularly like Wildfire Defense Mesh 98 and 75. These products have excellent heat and ember intrusion ratings.

Siding: Use non-combustible siding such as fiber cement, stucco, or fire-treated wood.

Windows: Upgrade to double-pane tempered glass for better heat resistance.

Apply Fire-Resistant Coatings

At Wildfire Warden, we use intumescent coatings from Flame Control Fire Retardant Coatings, that swell under extreme heat, creating a charred, insulating barrier that shields the surface beneath.

Best applications:

• Wood siding
  
  

• Eaves and overhangs
  
  

• Decks, fences, and pergolas
  
  

These coatings are tested for California wildfire conditions and can add valuable minutes of protection during an ember storm.

Create Defensible Space

Ventura County follows Cal Fire’s 3-zone system:

• Zone 0 (0–5 feet): Remove flammable plants, mulch, and furniture touching the house.
  
  

• Zone 1 (5–30 feet): Keep plants trimmed and well-watered; space trees at least 10 feet apart.
  
  

• Zone 2 (30–100 feet): Remove ladder fuels and thin vegetation.

Maintain Year-Round

Fire danger isn’t just a summer concern. High winds and dry spells occur in winter too. Keep gutters free of debris, repair damaged screens, and re-check defensible space every few months.

Local Fact:
In 2023, Ventura County issued over 120 Notices of Violation for defensible space non-compliance. Staying ahead not only keeps you safer—it avoids fines.

Map Your Risk

Understanding your location’s fire hazard level is key to choosing the right upgrades.

You can view the interactive map here: Cal Fire Zone Severity Map