Wildfire Property Protection in Arizona: Practical Steps I Recommend 🏡🔥
It is July in Arizona, and the heat can feel like it arrives faster than it used to. At the same time, wildfires are burning around the state, and winds can help spread embers over long distances.
When people think about wildfire damage, they often picture the main flames. In many situations, homes are damaged because embers land near the property and ignite materials around the structure.
As a local State Farm Agent, I help homeowners think through wildfire readiness in a realistic, property-focused way. Below are steps I recommend that you can use to reduce risk and improve resilience.
1) Create defensible space around your home 🌵
My focus here is reducing nearby fuel and slowing the path a fire might take toward structures.
Many wildfire defensible space guidelines emphasize the closest area to the home, such as 0 to 100 feet, with additional treatment out to 200 feet in some cases. Check your local county or city guidance for your specific area.
Remove dead vegetation, especially dry grasses, brush, leaf litter, and fallen needles.
Thin and prune trees and shrubs so branches are not touching. This is often described as reducing ladder fuels.
Space plants and avoid creating continuous paths of vegetation so fire cannot climb from ground cover to shrubs and into tree crowns.
If you use landscaping that is very flammable, consider changes to reduce that risk over time.
2) Make your home more ember-resistant 🧱
Embers can enter small openings and ignite vulnerable areas. I recommend paying attention to gaps and exterior details.
Use UL-listed ember-resistant screens for vents and openings when appropriate (for example, attic vents, soffit's, and eaves).
Seal gaps around doors, windows, vents, siding, and where utilities enter the home.
Review roofing vulnerabilities:
Keep gutters and roof valleys clean and clear of leaves and needles.
Address loose shingles and other areas where debris can collect.
If you are upgrading roofing, ask about non-combustible options.
Install or maintain fire-resistant exterior doors and keep them closed and secured during alerts.
Clean your roof and gutters regularly during dry seasons and monsoon months. Debris can collect quickly.
3) Reduce fuel around and under the structure 🔧
I often start with what is stored close to the house and what accumulates under common exterior areas.
Keep woodpiles, propane tanks, firewood, mulch, and fencing debris well away from the home.
Store combustible materials in closed, covered, non-combustible containers when possible.
Remove dead plants and trim shrubs near exterior walls and under eaves.
Keep the area under decks and stairs clear of leaves and combustible clutter.
4) Add fire-hardening steps that fit your property and budget ✅
Not every improvement is required for every home. I suggest starting with the most impactful updates near the structure.
Create and maintain a “lean, clean, green” zone close to the home.
If safe and practical for your property, consider irrigation to help keep nearby vegetation less flammable.
Plans for window update? Ask about non-combustible window covering options or shutters designed for ember resistance.
5) Prepare tools, water, and a go-kit 🧤💧
When conditions change quickly, having a plan and supplies ready can help you respond sooner.
Have hoses connected where possible and confirm water is turned on.
Keep a ladder, shovels or rakes, and a fire extinguisher accessible.
If you have sprinklers, confirm they are set up in a way that supports your wildfire readiness. Evacuation should not be delayed if conditions worsen.
Make an emergency plan for where you will go, how you will reach family and pets, and what you will grab (documents, medications, keys).
6) During wildfire alerts: act early and follow official instructions 🚨
If you receive an evacuation order, leave immediately. Do not wait.
If you have time, close windows and garage doors and address openings you can safely reach.
If authorities recommend it and it is safe, you may turn on sprinklers or wet down defensible-space vegetation, especially near the home. Safety and evacuation come first.
Move vehicles if you can before roads close or visibility becomes limited.
If you know how to do it safely and it is permitted, you may shut off gas. Safety first.
7) Include pets in your plan 🐾
Plan pet evacuation early. Loose pets can slow evacuation.
Remove combustible items pets could access, such as hay or bedding stored in outdoor sheds close to the home.
8) After a wildfire: re-entry and cleanup 🧯
Re-enter only when authorities declare it is safe.
Watch for smoldering embers in eaves, vents, debris piles, and landscaping.
Document damage with photos for insurance records.
Dispose of charred materials carefully and follow local guidance.
How I Can Help with Your Insurance Readiness 📄
Property hardening matters, and insurance readiness matters too. Coverage details can vary by policy, location, and risk factors.
If you want, I can help you:
Review your current coverage and deductibles
Confirm what types of losses are covered under your policy
Talk through questions about wildfire season so you feel more prepared
Call Me
If you would like to talk through your wildfire readiness and your insurance coverage, you can reach me and my team, here: 📞
If you share your city or neighborhood (for example, Phoenix area, East Valley, West Valley, or Tucson area), I can also suggest a simple checklist of priorities that typically matter most for homes in that region. ✅
Events
July 3rd - Office closed in honor for July 4th holiday
July 4th - Tez at Westworld for 4th event - come see me
July 13 - 18th - Tez OOO
July 22nd - Financial Foundations at Nollie Tempe
July 27th - 30th - Office closed at 1200 W University Dr. (available by phone only this week)
ABOUT TEZ ADAMS
Shout out to all valley residents in Tempe, Phoenix, Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Scottsdale, Avondale, Goodyear, Surprise and all those I didn't list - including those at Arizona State University, GCU, PVCC or MCC.
Tez Adams is a native of Little Rock, AR, but has been a resident of Arizona since 2013. He is married to Janet, and they have one son, Joshua in addition to Winston – their Golden doodle. As a family, they enjoy spending time with one another traveling and giving back to their community in various ways. Joshua is now college sophomore (Forks Up!) - so I guess now we are supporters of Arizona State University Sun Devils! He is a Barrett Scholar, which we are very PROUD to say.
Tez has over 20 years of insurance and financial services experience, having served in various leadership roles in the industry and community alike. Tez is a PROUD member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Tempe Leadership – Class 36 alum, and member of the Tempe South Rotary Club.
Tez can often be found supporting his community through numerous volunteer opportunities. He holds a master’s in insurance from Olivet College, The Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) and Associate in Claims (AIC) designation from The Institutes and a bachelor’s in finance from The University of Arkansas at Little Rock. He is licensed in property and casualty, life, health, flood and financial services products.
Let Tez and his team help protect your family from the unforeseen by putting the right insurance coverages in place for your needs.
