Your home has already made its decision — long before you smell smoke.

Wind, heat, and embers don’t negotiate. They simply look for a weakness.

Every home in Herald has a wildfire profile — a set of conditions that determine how it will behave when embers arrive.

Some homes resist. Some homes ignite.

The difference is rarely luck. It’s preparation.

Find your home’s wildfire profile — in 30 seconds.

A quick, honest look at the three places embers try to enter.

Card 1 Roof & Gutters

Icon: simple roofline outline Title: Roof & Gutters Copy:

Embers land here first. Clear debris, check shingles, and make sure gutters aren’t holding dry material.

Self-check question:

“Are my gutters clear and my roof in good condition?”

If you answered “no” to any of these, you’re not alone — and you’re not in danger. You just have a starting point.

This line is essential. It keeps the visitor from feeling overwhelmed or judged.

See how small changes make a home wildfire‑ready.

These aren’t expensive upgrades. They’re simple, doable steps that change everything.

Clear Your First 5 Feet

This is the most important Firewise action. Remove mulch, dry grass, wood piles, and anything touching your home.

If you only do one thing this week, do this.

Form the Local Firewise Board

Herald already has this: The Herald Fire Prevention Council. This group coordinates education, assessments, cleanup days, and documentation.

Resident contribution:

• Attend meetings

• Volunteer for events

• Share Firewise information with neighbors

This is a 3‑year plan outlining what Herald will do to reduce wildfire risk. It includes:

• Vegetation management

• Home hardening education

• Community cleanup days

• Vent screening support

• Brush removal coordination

Resident contribution:

• Participate in cleanup days

• Follow the home‑hardening steps

• Clear the first 5 feet around their home

• Screen vents

• Maintain gutters and roofs

Clear Your First 5 Feet

This is the most important Firewise action. Remove mulch, dry grass, wood piles, and anything touching your home.

If you only do one thing this week, do this.

Firewise isn’t a label — it’s a community commitment. Here’s how Herald earns it.

Track Volunteer Hours and Mitigation Work

Firewise USA requires communities to log annual mitigation hours. Herald must meet a minimum number based on population.

Resident contribution: Every resident’s effort counts as official Firewise credit:

• Clearing brush

• Cleaning gutters

• Removing mulch

• Screening vents

• Attending workshops

• Helping neighbors

• Participating in community events

Even 30 minutes of work counts.

Clean Your Roof & Gutters

Embers land here first. A clean roof and gutter can stop an ignition before it starts.

Complete a Community Wildfire Risk Assessment

This is a formal evaluation of Herald’s wildfire exposure — vegetation, home spacing, access roads, wind patterns, and ember pathways.

Resident contribution:

• Allow home assessments

• Provide feedback on neighborhood conditions

• Identify local hazards (overgrown lots, dead trees, etc.)

Submit Annual Renewal to NFPA Firewise USA

Each year, Herald submits:

• Updated risk assessment

• Action plan progress

• Volunteer hours

• Photos of community work

• Documentation of resident participation

Resident contribution:

• Keep doing the small steps

• Report your Firewise work (we’ll provide a simple form)

• Stay engaged with the Herald Fire Prevention Council