Quick Fire‑Hardening Checklist
• Defensible space: 0‑5 ft rock mulch, 5‑30 ft trimmed shrubs.
• Cement‑board or stucco skirting—vinyl melts at 165 °F.
• ⅛‑inch ember‑shielded roof vents + Class A roof.
• Tempered dual‑pane windows block radiant heat.
• Go‑bag & rally points—practice 5‑minute evacuations.
• Photo‑document home & serial numbers in the cloud for claims.
Wildfire Risk Is Rising—Fast
Arizona’s 2024 wildfire season was the busiest in a decade: 2,162 fires scorched roughly 282,000 acres—15 percent more blazes and 33 percent more acreage than 2023 (Forestry & Fire Management). From ponderosa forests around Flagstaff to the mesquite grasslands of Mohave County, every manufactured‑home owner needs a hardening plan before smoke is on the horizon.
A HUD‑code home already meets stringent flame‑spread and egress rules, yet radiant heat, ember storms, and combustible skirting can still destroy property in minutes. The nine strategies below cut the odds of loss by up to 70 percent, according to NFPA research.
(Need general upkeep tips too? Review Maintaining Your Manufactured Home.)
1. Create Three Defensible‑Space Zones
| Zone | Distance | Action Items | Typical Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 0 | 0–5 ft | Rock or decomposed‑granite mulch, seal skirting gaps, relocate firewood. | $0.50 / sq ft |
| Zone 1 | 5–30 ft | Trim branches to 6 ft, space shrubs twice their height, mow grass < 4 in. | Minimal |
| Zone 2 | 30–100 ft | Remove dead brush, thin trees to 10 ft crown spacing, move trailers/boats. | $300‑$600 / acre |
Local help: Arizona DFFM’s free “Slash‑Chip” events will chip your trimmed brush—check county schedules.
2. Upgrade to Non‑Combustible Skirting
| Skirting Material | Fire Rating | Price per sq ft | Life Span |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fiber‑cement board | Non‑combustible | $5.50 | 30 yrs |
| Steel panel | Class A | $6.25 | 40 yrs |
| Stucco‑over‑lath | Non‑combustible | $8.00 | 50 yrs |
Vinyl skirting ignites quickly and funnels fire beneath the floor. Swap it for fiber‑cement, steel, or stucco. Learn more in our Arizona Skirting Options guide.
3. Ember‑Proof Roof, Vents, and Gutters
- Roofing: Choose Class A composition shingles or standing‑seam metal installed over fire‑rated underlayment.
- Vents: Replace ¼‑inch mesh with ⅛‑inch stainless screens; add ember shields to gables and soffits.
- Gutters: Install metal gutters with leaf guards; clear debris before June and again in October.
4. Windows & Doors That Block Radiant Heat
Tempered, dual‑pane windows survive radiant temperatures up to 700 °F. Add non‑combustible shutters or metal roll‑downs—close them when fire is within five miles. Weather‑strip all exterior doors to keep embers out.
(See performance specs in Energy‑Efficient Windows for Manufactured Homes in Phoenix—energy savings plus fire resilience.)
5. Inside Upgrades: Mineral‑Wool Insulation & Fire‑Rated Drywall
| Upgrade | Benefit | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral‑wool (rock wool) wall insulation | Won’t burn; adds 2‑hour fire resistance. | +$1.25 /sq ft |
| Type‑X drywall in utility rooms | 30 extra minutes to escape. | +$0.45 /sq ft |
| Hard‑wired interconnected smoke alarms | No dead batteries. | $60 each |
| Factory sprinkler pre‑plumb | Lowers insurance 7‑15 %. | $1.75 /sq ft |
Select the “Fire‑Resistant Package” when designing at build.mohavehomes.com.
6. Evacuation Plan & Go‑Bag: 5‑Minute Rule
- Two exits per room clear of clutter.
- Go‑bag: ID, meds, chargers, N95 masks, pet kit.
- Rally points: one local, one out‑of‑town.
- Sign up for Arizona Emergency Information Network texts.
- Drill quarterly—aim for a sub‑5‑minute roll‑out.
7. Insurance Tune‑Up
- Switch to replacement‑cost coverage (not actual cash value).
- Confirm “extended loss of use” at 20 %.
- Upload digital photos of serial plates, possessions; store in the cloud.
- Ask agents about Firewise community discounts (10‑15 %).
8. Grants & Rebates to Offset Costs
| Program | Benefit | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| AZ DFFM Wildland‑Urban Interface Grant | Up to $2,500 for defensible‑space clearing | Owner‑occupied homes in WUI counties |
| APS Wildfire Mitigation Rebate | $150–$500 for fire‑rated roof replacement | APS customers |
| USDA NRCS EQIP | Cost‑share for drip irrigation & fire‑resistant landscaping | Rural parcels <10 ac |
9. Annual Maintenance Calendar
| Month | Task |
|---|---|
| March | Rake Zone 0 rock mulch, clean gutters. |
| May | Service HVAC filters (keeps embers from clogging), test hose bibs. |
| July | Trim back new growth > 5 ft, clear roof vents of nests. |
| September | Second gutter clean, inspect spark arrestors. |
| November | Update go‑bag, practice night evacuation drill. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a manufactured home burn faster than a site‑built home?
No—modern HUD‑code units use fire‑retardant panels and must pass stringent egress tests. Vulnerabilities come from vinyl skirting, decks, and ember‑entry points—upgrade those first.
Can I DIY a sprinkler system?
Arizona allows owner‑install, but many parks require licensed pros. Factory pre‑plumbing adds only $1.75 /sq ft during construction—cheaper and code‑compliant.
Will metal siding protect the house?
Steel or aluminum siding resists ignition, but the bigger gains come from cement‑board skirting and roof vent upgrades. Pairing all three offers the best shield.
Ready to Fire‑Harden Your Manufactured Home?
- Design Fire‑Safe Upgrades: Use the “Fire‑Resistant Package” at build.mohavehomes.com.
- Schedule a Site Audit: Our team measures defensible‑space zones and skirting needs—call (928) 565‑4400.
- Upgrade Skirting: Get fiber‑cement or stucco quotes through our Transport & Setups service.
Mohave Homes—protecting Arizona manufactured homes from heat, wind, and wildfire since 1995. Let’s keep yours safe for decades to come.
