Fire Chief, Industry Consultant · Updated November 06, 2026
Homeowners often ask whether to start with exterior sprinklers or with hardening the house. Start with hardening and the five-foot zone. Add sprinklers once the obvious ways in are closed. Here's why.
What the 2025 LA fires showed
IBHS studied homes in the Palisades and Eaton fires (IBHS):
- Homes with four hardening features (Class A roof, noncombustible siding, double-pane windows and enclosed eaves) had a 54 percent chance of avoiding damage, versus 36 percent with one.
- When fuel covered more than 25 percent of the five-foot zone, the risk of damage rose to nearly 90 percent.
- Plants within five feet raised heat exposure on the wall, even when watered.
Embers cause up to 90 percent of home ignitions (IBHS). Hardening closes the doors they use.
Side by side
| Home hardening | Exterior sprinklers | |
|---|---|---|
| What it stops | Embers getting into vents, gutters and windows, and flames reaching the walls | Embers igniting the roof, eaves and nearby fuel |
| Works without water or power | Yes | No |
| Evidence | Strong, from post-fire studies | Limited; IBHS calls it "a topic of much debate" (IBHS) |
| Counts toward insurance programs | Yes, many items are on California's Safer from Wildfires list | Not on that list |
| Upkeep | Low, plus seasonal cleaning | Seasonal testing of pumps, heads and water |
When sprinklers move up the list
- Second homes and long absences, where no one will be there to prepare. See protecting a second home.
- Homes surrounded by vegetation you can't clear, such as neighbors' land or protected slopes.
- Homes already hardened, where sprinklers add a layer on top.
A sensible order
- Clear the five-foot zone and keep gutters and roofs clean.
- Ember-resistant vents and gutter guards. See vents and gutters.
- Window protection. See window laminates.
- Coatings or noncombustible materials on wood surfaces near the house.
- An off-grid sprinkler system, with monitoring so it's tested and ready. See autonomous sprinklers.
Get your home's order of operations. A retired firefighter will walk your property and rank what to do first, for free. Book a free assessment.
Frequently asked questions
Are wildfire sprinklers worth it?
They can add protection, especially for homes left empty during fire season. Research on how well they work in real fires is still limited, so harden the house first.
What's the single most important thing to do?
Clear the first five feet around your home. IBHS found that fuel covering more than a quarter of this zone pushed the risk of damage to nearly 90 percent.
Do sprinklers lower insurance?
They aren't on California's Safer from Wildfires list of required discounts. Hardening items such as ember-resistant vents and a clear five-foot zone are. Ask your insurer about any credit for sprinklers.
By Craig Weeks
