HOMEOWNER TIPS | SANTA CLARITA VALLEY | 2026
Wildfire Prep 2026: What Santa Clarita Homeowners Should Know
Wildfire season is here. Learn how SCV homeowners can harden their homes, maintain defensible space, and navigate today's insurance shifts.
Why Wildfire Preparedness Matters More Than Ever in the SCV
Santa Clarita Valley is a beautiful place to call home. Our proximity to the Angeles National Forest and the surrounding open space is part of what makes communities like Saugus, Canyon Country, and parts of Valencia feel like something special. It is also why wildfire preparedness is not optional here. It is part of responsible homeownership.
This is not meant to alarm anyone. It is meant to inform. LA County Fire officials and our local fire safe council are working hard, and 2026 has brought new resources and seasonal preparedness programming that every SCV homeowner should know about. The goal of this guide is to make that information easy to act on.
The Three Defensible Space Zones, Explained
California law requires homeowners to maintain defensible space around their homes. Understanding the three zones helps you prioritize where to focus your efforts.
The 5-foot ember-resistant zone
This is the most critical zone, and the one most homeowners overlook. Everything within 5 feet of your home's foundation should be non-combustible. That means no mulch, no wood chips, no potted plants in combustible containers. Use gravel, pavers, or bare soil. Most home ignitions during a wildfire start in this zone.
The 30-foot reduced-fuel zone
Within 30 feet, the goal is to reduce the density and continuity of vegetation. Keep grass mowed low, remove dead plants and leaves, and space out trees and shrubs so fire cannot ladder from the ground into your canopy.
The 100-foot (or more) extended zone
From 30 to 100 feet, the focus shifts to reducing fire intensity and slowing its spread. Continue to space out vegetation, remove dead wood and debris, and eliminate any ladder fuels. In some terrain, local fire agencies may require clearance beyond 100 feet.
Home Hardening Steps That Make a Real Difference
Defensible space buys time. Home hardening is what keeps your house standing. These are structural improvements that reduce the chance of ignition from embers and radiant heat.
Vents, roofing, eaves, and siding
- Vents are one of the most common ignition points. Replace standard vents with ember-resistant or 1/16-inch mesh-screened vents.
- Roofing materials matter. Class A fire-rated roofing (tile, metal, or fire-treated shingles) provides the best protection.
- Open eaves are a vulnerability. Box them in with fire-resistant materials or install ember-resistant soffit vents.
- If re-siding, opt for fiber cement, stucco, or other non-combustible materials.
Gutters, roof debris, and clearance around trees
- Clean gutters before and during fire season. Dry leaves and pine needles in gutters are an ignition waiting to happen.
- Remove debris from your roof regularly. Organic matter accumulates in valleys and low spots.
- Trim branches that hang within 10 feet of your chimney or extend over your roof.
Simple weekend projects vs. bigger investments
Not every hardening improvement requires a contractor. Cleaning gutters, replacing standard vents with ember-resistant models, adding door sweeps, and clearing the 5-foot zone around your foundation are all achievable in a weekend. Bigger investments like re-roofing or re-siding can often be phased over time and may qualify for insurance discounts or local incentives.
What's Happening with California Home Insurance Right Now
The home insurance landscape in California has changed significantly in recent years, and SCV homeowners are feeling it directly. Premiums have risen sharply since 2020, and FAIR Plan enrollment has nearly tripled as major insurers have reduced their California exposure or exited the market entirely.
Why more homeowners are ending up on the FAIR Plan
The California FAIR Plan is the state's insurer of last resort. It was designed as a temporary safety net, not a comprehensive policy. Many homeowners find themselves on it not by choice but because their insurer has non-renewed their policy or priced them out of the standard market. FAIR Plan policies typically offer less coverage at higher cost.
What recent legislation is trying to fix
The California Department of Insurance has announced new regulations aimed at stabilizing the market and incentivizing insurers to return to high-risk areas. Key provisions include allowing insurers to use forward-looking catastrophe models in rate-setting and requiring that discounts be passed along to homeowners who have completed home hardening. The goal is to bring more carriers back into the California market over time.
Practical Steps to Protect Your Coverage
- Review your current policy now. Know what is covered, what your deductible is, and whether your dwelling coverage reflects today's rebuild costs.
- Document your home. Photos and video of every room, your roof, and major systems are invaluable if you ever need to file a claim.
- Ask your insurer about hardening discounts. If you have made improvements, some carriers offer reduced premiums for verified home hardening.
- If you are on the FAIR Plan, explore whether you can add a Difference in Conditions (DIC) policy to fill coverage gaps.
- Do not wait for renewal to review. Non-renewals in California often come with short notice windows.
Resources for Santa Clarita Homeowners
Here are some of the most useful resources available to SCV homeowners right now:
LA County Fire Department, 2026 Wildfire Preparedness Week: fire.lacounty.gov
LA County Fire, Region I 2026 Fire Season Outlook: fire.lacounty.gov/region-i-outlook
California Department of Insurance, FAIR Plan Update: insurance.ca.gov
HomeTownStation / KHTS, Wildfire Preparedness in Santa Clarita: hometownstation.com
Our local fire safe council also does meaningful community-level fuel reduction work throughout the valley. Connecting with them is one of the most practical things a homeowner can do beyond their own property line.
A Note from Kathy
I have been serving Santa Clarita Valley homeowners since 1989. In that time I have seen this community navigate a lot. Wildfire risk is one of the realities of living in the place we love, and the best thing any of us can do is stay informed and prepared.
A fire-ready home is not just a safer home. It is a more marketable home, a more insurable home, and a stronger long-term investment. Whether you are thinking about what your home is worth today or planning your next move, this is the kind of information that matters.
Whether you are staying put or thinking about your next move, a fire-ready home protects your family and your investment. Reach out anytime. I am happy to point you to local resources or talk through how this affects your home's value.
Kathy Watterson | 661-510-0321 | kathy@kathywatterson.com
Kathy Watterson, Broker Associate | DRE #01022836 | RE/MAX of Santa Clarita
