What Saved The 'Miracle House' In Lahaina?

During renovations, Millikin installed a commercial-grade steel roof, something that definitely would have provided better protection from flying embers than shingles. At first, Millikin thought this might have made the biggest difference in why his home was spared.

But Michael Wara, the director of the Climate and Energy Policy Program at the Stanford Wood Institute for the Environment, said it was likely the Millikins’ decision to dig out the existing landscaping directly surrounding the house and replace it with river stones that made the biggest difference.

“What folks in the wildfire business call the zone zero or the #ember #ignition #zone, is kind of a key factor in whether homes do or do not burn down,” Wara said.

Having nothing combustible in the 5 feet directly around a house is enormously important.

https://www.civilbeat.org/2023/08/what-saved-the-miracle-house-in-lahaina/