The Santa Ana winds are back. Hot, dry air comes off the desert, humidity drops into the single digits, and one spark can travel miles.
Most homes lost in wildfires do not burn because a wall of flames reaches them. They burn because wind-blown embers land in a gutter full of leaves, a pile of firewood, or bark mulch against the siding. That is the part you can control.
Start with the first five feet
California is moving to regulate this. In August 2026, the State Board of Forestry approved "Zone 0" rules covering the first five feet around a home in high fire hazard areas. The filing was pulled back on September 8 for technical revisions, so the rules are not in effect yet. Once they are, they will phase in over several years.
You do not need to wait for the state. Here is what the rules target, and what I would do this week:
Clear your roof and gutters. Dry leaves and pine needles are the most common place for embers to catch.
Move firewood away from the house. Not on the porch, not against the garage.
Replace bark mulch next to the house with gravel, pavers or bare soil for the first five feet.
Clear under decks and stairs. No stored furniture, boxes or dry vegetation.
Trim dead branches, and keep trees at least 10 feet from the chimney.
Check your vents. Fine metal mesh keeps embers out of the attic and crawl space.
If you have a wood fence attached to the house, look at replacing the last five feet with metal. It acts like a fuse that leads straight to your walls.
Power shutoffs
During high winds, SDG&E may cut power to parts of the county to prevent its lines from starting a fire. These Public Safety Power Shutoffs can last a day or more.
Sign up for shutoff alerts at sdge.com/notifications. You do not need to be the account holder.
Keep flashlights, charged battery packs, and a few days of water on hand.
If anyone in your home depends on powered medical equipment, plan for backup power now.
Know your evacuation zone
San Diego County uses Genasys Protect to map evacuation zones, routes and shelters. Download the app, or go to protect.genasys.com, and subscribe to the zones for your home, work and your kids' schools. Know two ways out of your neighborhood.
Keep a go-bag by the door with medications, documents, chargers, and a change of clothes.
Do not skip the insurance check
This is the part people regret most after a fire. Pull your homeowner's policy this week and check two things: whether your dwelling coverage would actually rebuild your home at today's construction costs, and how much living expense coverage you have.
Then walk through your house with your phone and record a video of every room, closet and drawer. It takes 20 minutes and can save months of arguing with an adjuster.
Bottom line
You cannot stop the Santa Anas. You can make sure an ember has nothing to land on. Clearing the first five feet costs little, and it is the single most effective thing you can do this season. It also protects your home's value and insurability when it comes time to sell.
Have a question about your home or your yard? Send me a note.
Sources:
Bassem Elsayeh
REALTOR® | REeBroker Group | CA DRE #01901933
This post is general information, not legal or insurance advice. Check with your local fire agency and your insurance agent about your specific property.