Since the 2015 Valley Fire in Lake County and the devastating 2017 Sonoma Complex Fires, we at A•SQUARED have witnessed firsthand the profound loss and resilience that wildfires leave behind.
We have walked sites with families returning to ashes. We have listened to their stories, their fears, and their hopes for starting over. Through this journey, we have committed ourselves to one purpose: helping homeowners rebuild smarter, stronger, and more fire-resilient homes for the future.
As architects experienced in wildfire recovery and resilient home design, we understand what it takes to rebuild in California’s High Fire Hazard Zones — including the most fire-prone regions of Southern California.
This article introduces key principles of fire-resistant design— blending passive and active protection strategies — to help homeowners make informed decisions after wildfire loss. It marks the beginning of a continuing series exploring critical strategies for designing homes in wildfire-prone landscapes.
Understanding the Risk: Fire Hazard Severity Zones
In California, the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) and the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) map Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZs) based on factors such as vegetation, topography, weather patterns, and historical wildfire behavior.
Areas are classified as Moderate, High, or Very High hazard zones.
If you are rebuilding within a designated FHSZ:
However, meeting code minimums is only a starting point. True resilience demands a more thoughtful, layered approach—anticipating not just flame contact, but the embers, radiant heat, and flying debris that characterize wildfire behavior.
How Wildfires Destroy Homes
A wildfire's devastation often reaches homes not through towering flames, but through more subtle, insidious means:
Protecting your home means understanding, and actively designing against, each of these threats.
Designing for Fire Resilience: A Layered Strategy
At A•SQUARED, we design wildfire-resistant homes through a layered defense strategy — combining passive protections built into the structure and active defense systems that enhance performance during fire events.
Passive Resiliency: Built-in Protection
Passive strategies are the first line of defense. These elements are permanently integrated into the home's architecture and materials, offering protection without relying on power or human action.
Roofing Systems
Eaves and Vents
Siding and Wall Assemblies
Special attention should be given to the first six vertical inches at the base of exterior walls, where ignition risk is highest.
Windows and Doors
Active Resiliency: Supplemental Defense Systems
While passive features provide continuous protection, active fire defense systems offer additional security during critical moments.
Exterior Fire Sprinkler Systems
It is important to note that exterior sprinklers are a complementary strategy.
They do not replace interior fire sprinkler systems, which are required by code for all new homes in California.
A•SQUARED: A Partner in Wildfire Recovery
At A•SQUARED, we approach wildfire rebuilding with a depth of experience and a deep respect for what it means to rebuild after loss. Our services are designed to offer comprehensive support, including:
Rebuilding after wildfire is not simply about replacing what was lost — it is about reimagining homes with greater resilience, care, and intention.
Through thoughtful design strategies — from passive protections built into the architecture to active defense systems that offer additional safeguards — we can create homes that are better prepared for the realities of California’s evolving wildfire landscape.
At A•SQUARED we view this process as a collaboration. We work closely with each client, listening carefully to your goals, your concerns, and your hopes for the future. Our team is continually researching emerging materials, technologies, and construction methods to build homes that are not only beautiful, but strong, adaptive, and enduring.
We believe rebuilding should be an opportunity: an opportunity to design spaces that are more deeply rooted in safety, sustainability, and spirit.
If you are navigating the journey of rebuilding, we welcome the chance to collaborate — to share knowledge, explore possibilities, and help bring your next home to life with care and resilience.