A fire-proofing demonstration in Anaheim, California has illustrated the dangers of outdated home construction methods in wildfire-prone areas, as reported by the LA Times.
The event was organized by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) and the California Building Industry Association.
Two test homes were set ablaze using controlled ignition methods.
One was built using standard materials and design.
The other used enhanced fire-mitigation features.
The unprotected home quickly ignited and collapsed within 20 minutes.
The fire-protected house remained largely undamaged.
According to IBHS, the demonstration is intended to guide areas such as Pacific Palisades and Altadena in rebuilding efforts following destructive wildfires in January 2025.
IBHS Chief Engineer Anne Cope said: “This is a tale of two homes.”
The demonstration focused on Zone 0, the five-foot perimeter around a building that is crucial to stopping ember spread and ignition.
The unprotected house had common materials such as wood mulch, stacked firewood, and plastic gutters.
Firefighters simulated wildfire conditions using industrial fans and drip torches.
Within minutes, embers ignited vegetation and materials near the home.
Flames rapidly climbed walls and spread to the roof.
After 15 minutes, the house was burning internally.
At 20 minutes, the structure collapsed.
The fire-resistant home featured cement pavers, metal gutters, fiber cement siding and enclosed eaves.
It also had no vegetation within five feet of the walls.
Fire reached the perimeter but did not spread beyond it.
IBHS CEO Roy Wright said: “The easiest way starts at home.”
Wright explained that homes with fire-prevention design features not only protect themselves but also reduce fire transmission to neighboring properties.
He said homes in clusters often burned together.
Older homes built before modern codes frequently acted as ignition sources for surrounding properties.
Wright said homes with enclosed eaves, non-flammable landscaping and mesh-covered vents acted as barriers that limited fire spread.
He added: “We’re not going to eliminate wildfires, but we can restrict their reach.”
The organization has visited post-fire communities to collect data on how housing design contributed to destruction.
Findings showed that new construction methods can help reduce neighborhood-level fire losses.
Fire-resilient design is already incorporated in new master-planned communities across parts of Southern California.
The LA Times cited the 2020 Orchard Hills fire, in which homes built with fire-resistant features were left undamaged.
Builders used materials and design codes aimed at limiting ember intrusion and flame contact.
However, many existing homes in the region remain highly vulnerable.
According to the LA Times, older properties in hillside locations are particularly at risk.
Wright said quick retrofits such as clearing vegetation from Zone 0 are an effective short-term strategy.
He noted that these changes require fewer resources and can be implemented rapidly by homeowners.
While building codes continue to evolve, IBHS says public awareness and community-level planning are equally important.
Wright said many homeowners still lack information about the risks of flammable landscaping and materials.
He encouraged replacing combustible materials with cement, metal and gravel.
During the Anaheim demonstration, he noted that the simple relocation of plants made a measurable difference.
He said: “You can still have plants, just keep them five feet away from your house.”
IBHS believes more policy attention is needed to promote defensible space around homes.
The organization continues to advocate for updated design guidelines across fire-prone parts of the western United States.
A fire-proofing demonstration took place on June 10 in Anaheim, California.
The event was organized by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety and the California Building Industry Association.
Two homes were tested using simulated wildfire conditions.
The home without fire-mitigation features was destroyed within 20 minutes.
The fire-protected home remained intact with minimal exterior damage.
The test highlighted the role of Zone 0 in preventing fire spread.
Fire-resistant features included cement pavers, enclosed eaves and non-combustible materials.
IBHS CEO Roy Wright said older homes pose risks to surrounding properties.
New communities such as Orchard Hills have avoided fire damage due to modern design.
Wright recommended removing flammable materials from within five feet of homes.
The demonstration is part of ongoing recovery efforts in Pacific Palisades and Altadena.
IBHS said education and retrofitting are essential to improving home safety.
The LA Times was the original source of this information.
