Perspectives On Home, Family, and Community
In Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
This site was created to share information, ideas, and resources related to life in our communities. It reflects nearly 80 years of learning, experience, successes—and, of course, a fair share of setbacks.
Because we live in a high-risk fire zone and have experienced significant wildfires in the nearby hills in recent years, the current focus of this site is on wildfire prevention, safety, and home hardening.
The content here represents the perspective of one homeowner who has spent considerable time researching and learning—not a formal expert. The goal is to share practical ideas for maintaining a beautiful home while reducing the risk of wind-driven embers igniting vulnerable areas around your property.
These are not definitive solutions, but rather shared insights. By learning from one another and taking thoughtful action, we can work together to reduce risk and help protect our homes and communities from catastrophe.
Special Events
- April 16, 6:00PM Trabuco Canyon Water District : Learn about insurance issues facing communities in high risk fire zones, like us, and things you can do to hopefully keep your policy, or what to do if you get cancelled.
Latest Updates
- The First Five Feet Around Your House May Be the Most Important
Wildfire experts often talk about the area immediately around a house as the 0–5 foot zone. This area, right next to the house, may be the most important area to keep clear of materials that can ignite from embers. If embers land right next to a wall, window, or door and ignite something in that area,… Read more: The First Five Feet Around Your House May Be the Most Important - Why Wind-Blown Embers Are the Biggest Risk to Homes
When most people think about wildfires, they imagine a large wall of flames moving through an area and burning everything in its path. In reality, many homes are not lost from the main fire front, but from wind-blown embers that can travel long distances ahead of the fire. During major wildfires, burning embers can be carried by… Read more: Why Wind-Blown Embers Are the Biggest Risk to Homes - We can make a difference
Over the past several years, wildfires have become an increasing concern throughout California and especially in communities like ours that are located near open space and natural vegetation. One important thing we have learned from recent fires is that many homes are not lost from the main fire front, but from wind-blown embers that travel… Read more: We can make a difference