Most Homes Lost in Wildfires Ignite From Wind-Borne Embers — Not Flames
What Homeowners Can Do to Reduce Risk
A wildland firefighter is on a mission to put professional-grade ember-defense tools into the hands of homeowners — and they’re already available at select Lowe’s stores.
When people imagine wildfire destruction, they picture a wall of flames sweeping through a neighborhood. While that can happen, research from the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) shows that flames are often not what ignite homes.
The leading cause of home ignition during wildfires is wind-borne embers — also called firebrands.
The Ember Problem (and Why It Matters)
Embers are small burning pieces of vegetation or building material lifted and carried by wind. During a wildfire, they can travel up to a mile ahead of the main fire, land on roofs, decks, gutters, mulch, or fencing, and enter homes through small openings, vents, and gaps.
If an ember lands on something dry — or enters an attic through a vent — it can begin smoldering long before flames reach the property. Firefighters refer to this as an ember storm. By the time the fire front arrives, some homes are already burning from the inside.
The Key Insight
You don’t need a fireproof home — you need a home that’s difficult for embers to ignite. Small improvements — especially within the first 30 feet around your home — significantly increase survival chances.
Step 0: Create Defensible Space (The Foundation)
Before using any products, reduce fuels where embers can land. Fire agencies recommend:
- Maintain a 0–5 ft non-combustible zone around structures (no wood, no mulch).
- Reduce vegetation and fuels within 0–30 ft of the home.
- Clear leaves, pine needles, and debris from gutters and roofs.
Defensible space reduces ignition risk. Ember-focused preparation reduces ember entry points. Both matter.
A Practical, Ember-Focused Approach
Developed by a wildland firefighter, the SAFE SOSS® system supports homeowners with three targeted steps:
STEP 1 — BLOCK Embers at Vents
Product: Ember Guard Carbon Filter
Attic and crawlspace vents are among the most common ember entry points. Even approved metal mesh screens can’t stop fine embers.
- Installs behind existing vents — no vent replacement required.
- Helps reduce ember intrusion.
- Uses activated carbon to help filter wildfire smoke.
Stays installed year-round.
STEP 2 — SEAL Gaps Where Embers Sneak In
Product: Wildfire Ember Tape
High winds create pressure that pulls embers into small openings around:
- Garage doors (especially lower corners)
- Exterior door thresholds
- Windows with small gaps
- Pet doors or utility openings
The tape is applied temporarily during wildfire or high-wind conditions, then removed when the danger has passed. It can sometimes be reused if still in good condition, but new tape is recommended for new applications.
STEP 3 — DEFEND Nearby Vegetation & Wood
Product: Twice Over Wildfire Risk-Reduction Spray
Even if embers don’t reach the structure, they can ignite fuels nearby.
- Connects to a standard garden hose.
- Helps slow or stop ignition on wood and vegetation.
- Treats the 0–30 ft zone around the home.
- Has a five-year shelf life for advance preparation.
How the Steps Work Together
| Ember Risk Source | Where Ignition Happens | Mitigation Step |
|---|---|---|
| Embers entering vents | Attics, crawlspaces, insulation | BLOCK (Carbon Filter) |
| Embers pulled into gaps | Garage corners, door thresholds, window edges | SEAL (Wildfire Ember Tape) |
| Embers igniting nearby fuels | Mulch, decking, fencing, shrubs | DEFEND (Twice Over Wildfire Spray) |
No product or program can guarantee a home’s survival — but reducing ember pathways reduces ignition opportunities.
What Remains Installed Year-Round
| Product | When It’s Used |
|---|---|
| Ember Guard Carbon Filter | Installed and left in place year-round |
| Wildfire Ember Tape | Applied temporarily during wildfire/high-wind alerts |
| Twice Over Wildfire Spray | Applied when needed (Red Flag conditions or evacuations) |
The goal is to make wildfire preparation simple when time is limited.
Learn More
Instructional videos, how-to guides, and product support:
👉 safesoss.com
Available online and in select Lowe’s stores:
👉 Shop SAFE SOSS at Lowe’s
Prepared homes give firefighters a better chance to defend neighborhoods — and homeowners a better chance to come home to one.
