Wildfire risk feels close when you live under the San Gabriels. After the January 2025 foothill fires that affected Altadena and nearby communities, many homeowners asked what to do right now to lower risk and prepare for future events. You want clear, local steps that protect your home, your family, and your peace of mind. This guide walks you through defensible space, home hardening, evacuations, and where to find county help so you can act with confidence. Let’s dive in.
Why wildfire prep matters in Altadena
Altadena sits at the wildland–urban interface, and portions of the community are mapped as high or very high fire hazard zones. The 2025 fires highlighted how fast conditions can change and how important it is to prepare before red flag weather arrives. For context on the scale and lessons from those fires, review this Associated Press summary of the 2025 Southern California wildfires.
Know your local rules
In unincorporated Altadena, the Los Angeles County Fire Department runs brush clearance inspections and fuel modification reviews. You can find county checklists, inspection notices, and contacts on the LA County Fire Defensible Space Program page.
California law directs homeowners in very high hazard zones to maintain up to 100 feet of defensible space around structures, with the most intensive work closest to the home. See the state’s defensible space framework referenced in AB 9 for the 0–100 foot guidance.
Create defensible space: 0–100 feet
Defensible space reduces how fire and embers can reach your home. Focus your effort by zone:
Zone 0: 0–5 feet (highest priority)
- Remove combustible mulch, planters, and decor next to walls.
- Keep this area clean, gravelled, or hardscaped.
- Enclose or ember‑proof vents and the underside of decks that touch the home.
Zone 1: 5–30 feet
- Remove dead vegetation and leaf litter.
- Space shrubs and trees so crowns do not touch. Keep tree branches at least 10 feet from the roof and chimney.
- Store firewood and other combustibles at least 30 feet from structures.
Zone 2: 30–100 feet
- Thin dense shrubs and break up fuel continuity.
- Mow seasonal grasses low and remove ladder fuels under trees.
- Adjust for property lines and coordinate with neighbors where needed.
Harden your home exterior
Home hardening upgrades reduce the chance that embers ignite your structure. Cal FIRE details practical retrofits on its Home Hardening guide:
- Roofing: Use Class A, fire-resistant roofing when you replace. Keep roofs and gutters free of debris.
- Vents and openings: Install small‑mesh, corrosion‑resistant metal screens on attic, soffit, and foundation vents.
- Siding and eaves: Prefer noncombustible or ignition‑resistant materials. Enclose open eaves and under‑deck areas.
- Windows: Tempered or dual‑pane glass helps resist heat. Consider metal screens or shutters.
- Fences and attachments: Create a noncombustible break where a wood fence meets the house.
- Chimneys and gutters: Use a chimney spark arrestor and clean gutters regularly in fire season.
Seasonal maintenance checklist
Small, regular tasks add up. Use this quick list during fire season:
- Clear roofs and gutters of leaves and needles.
- Replace combustible mulch within 5 feet of siding with gravel or hardscape.
- Move woodpiles, RVs, and propane accessories well away from the home.
- Trim tree branches at least 10 feet from roofs and chimneys.
- Install or clean metal mesh on vents; seal gaps where embers could enter.
- Stage hoses and label exterior water sources for first responders.
Build your evacuation plan
Alerts and preparation help you leave quickly and safely if ordered to evacuate.
- Sign up for Alert LA County and consider additional local alert channels and radio for redundancy.
- Map at least two ways out of your neighborhood in case primary roads close.
- Keep vehicles fueled during red flag conditions.
- Pack a go‑bag with IDs, medications, chargers, clothing, water, cash, and pet supplies.
- Identify a local meet‑up spot and an out‑of‑area contact everyone can text.
Document, insure, and plan recovery
Good records speed claims and assistance after a disaster.
- Digitize key documents like titles, insurance policies, and IDs. Store copies in the cloud.
- Create a home inventory using photos or video and save receipts for high‑value items.
- After a declared disaster, FEMA and SBA programs may offer individual assistance and low‑interest loans. See current timelines and details on this FEMA assistance update.
Insurance options in higher‑risk areas can be limited and may involve the California FAIR Plan. For context on market conditions after the 2025 fires, review AP reporting on FAIR Plan pressures and state actions. Speak with your insurer and a local broker early if you plan renovations or a sale.
Tap local resources
Altadena benefits from both county programs and community groups:
- For inspections, clearance rules, and enforcement, start with LA County Fire’s Defensible Space Program.
- If you plan significant exterior changes in a hazard zone, check with the LA County Forestry Fuel Modification Unit about plan reviews and approvals.
- Neighborhood organizations like the Chaney Millard Fire Safe Council coordinate fuel‑reduction projects and homeowner education. Learn more via the Fire Safe Council listing.
Buying or selling a home in Altadena
If you are selling in a high‑risk area, you may need defensible space inspection documentation for escrow. Buyers should request recent clearance reports, home‑hardening upgrades, and any county fuel‑modification approvals tied to past permits. Cal FIRE’s preparedness hub is a good starting point for statewide disclosures and best practices: Cal FIRE Prepare.
Ready to talk through a tailored plan for your home or a future move? Reach out to Isabelle Clark for calm, strategic guidance and neighborhood‑level insight.
FAQs
Defensible space rules in Altadena: how far do you clear?
- Up to 100 feet around structures in very high zones, with the most intensive work within the first 30 feet and a clean, ember‑resistant 0–5 foot zone; LA County inspects and enforces.
Home hardening priorities: what upgrades matter most?
- Clear the 0–5 foot zone, install ember‑resistant vent screens, keep roofs and gutters clean, prune vegetation for spacing, and upgrade to Class A roofing when feasible.
Evacuation readiness for Altadena: which alerts should you use?
- Register for Alert LA County, add at least one backup alert source, keep a go‑bag ready, fuel vehicles during red flag periods, and preplan two exit routes.
Selling a home in Altadena: what wildfire documents help escrow?
- Provide defensible space inspection documentation if required, plus records of hardening upgrades, recent permits, and any county fuel‑modification approvals.
HOA and neighbor concerns: can you still do clearance work?
- County defensible space rules can require removal of hazardous vegetation even if neighbors object; coordinate with your HOA for larger landscape changes to stay compliant.
