The Palisades and Eaton fires were unprecedented events that turned into staggering tragedies due to a confluence of circumstances. As wildfires become increasingly frequent and devastating in California, building fire resilient and smoke-tight homes has become paramount.

Multiple news outlets covered the story of entire neighborhoods being destroyed by the Palisades Fire, but a small number of homes still standing. While no home is 100% fireproof, the homes that survived were built using a variety of construction techniques that made them highly resilient to fire. Research around home destruction versus survival in wildfires indicates that embers and small flames are the leading cause of ignition. But these dangers can be mitigated. Certified Passive Homes are built with insulated exterior walls, fire-resistant cladding, ember-resistant crawlspaces, and foam-free, unvented roofs. These construction materials and techniques create a structure with superior fire resilience.

As damaging as fire is to a home, smoke damage can be nearly as destructive. Toxic smoke can render a home uninhabitable for months and require a long, complicated, and expensive rebuilding process. A Passive Home is built with meticulous attention to the building envelope during the construction process. When combined with a state-of-the-art ventilation system, smoke, pollen, pollution and toxic particulates are kept out of the house. Clean, filtered air is constantly circulated, creating a comfortable, indoor environment for the home’s occupants.

If fire containment systems are installed properly, the systems can remain in place for the life of the structure