In intense wildfires such as the ones common in the Hill Country, most homes ignite from wind-blown embers landing on inflammable materials, for example dry leaves in a roof gutter or dead shrubs and dry mulch close to a wooden deck.

Here are five easy measures you can take to reduce your home’s vulnerability:

• Clean and remove dead grass, limbs and leaves near your home.
• Screen house openings such as attic and crawlspace vents, roof vents and caps.
• Limb-up trees and separate their crowns from one another.
• Keep wood, wood piles and other ignitable items away from your home.
• Cut back dry/dying shrubs and bushes next to your home; common yard work and housekeeping can reduce your home’s ignitability!