Fire Safety in the Canyon

Acton is High Risk

Living in Acton or Soledad Canyon means living with wildfire risk. While you clear maintain defensible space, don't forget your HVAC system.

1. Defensible Space Around Your AC

Your outdoor condenser unit needs airflow, but it also needs clearance. We often see dry weeds growing right up into the electrical panel of the AC unit.

The Danger: A small electrical spark from a failing capacitor can ignite dry grass instantly. Keep a 3-foot "dirt zone" or gravel bed around your outdoor unit. No mulch, no weeds.

2. Ember Intrusion

During a wildfire, wind-blown embers can travel miles. They enter your home through attic vents. If you have older vents, they are big enough for embers to pass through and ignite your insulation.

The Upgrade: Install 1/8-inch metal mesh screens over all attic and crawlspace vents. This is now code for new construction in fire zones, and it's a cheap retrofit that saves houses.

3. Smoke Damper Shutdown

If there is smoke in the canyon, turn your AC off. A central AC system will pull some outside air (through leaks) and circulate smoke particles throughout your home, embedding the smell in your carpet and furniture.