How to Stop Flying Embers From Destroying Your Home
When most people think about bushfires, they picture towering flames moving across the landscape. But the biggest threat to homes isn’t the flame front it’s ember attack.
In fact, ember attack is responsible for the majority of home losses in bushfires. Embers can travel kilometres ahead of the fire line, landing on rooftops, in gutters, under decks, inside wall gaps, sheds and even on garden beds.
The frightening part?
A home can burn down long before the actual fire arrives.
This is why ember attack defence is one of the most important parts of bushfire preparedness. In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how embers ignite homes, what areas are most vulnerable, and how NSW and QLD landowners can protect their properties before fire season. You’ll also see how Rapid Spray’s firefighting equipment can support your defence plan.
📸 IMAGE RECOMMENDATION:
A close-up photo of embers blowing through a bushfire scene, or a house roof with glowing embers.
What Is Ember Attack and Why Is It So Dangerous?
Embers are burning twigs, bark, leaves, ash or debris that are carried on hot winds ahead of a fire front. They can fall like burning rain and ignite anything flammable:
Dry leaves in gutters
Timber decks
Door mats
Garden beds with mulch
Outdoor furniture
Sheds and outbuildings
Firewood piles
Unsealed roof and wall gaps
Strong bushfire winds can push embers over long distances sometimes more than 5km ahead of the main blaze. This means your home can be under threat even when the fire looks far away.
Embers tend to accumulate in corners, gaps, gutters, under eaves and in sheltered spots. Once a small smoulder begins, the heat can build until flames erupt. With enough embers landing, ignition becomes almost inevitable unless your home is protected.
🎥 VIDEO RECOMMENDATION:
“How Ember Attack Ignites Homes” – Explainer animation or footage.
The Most Vulnerable Areas of a Home in an Ember Attack
Understanding weak points allows you to fortify your home properly. The most ember-prone areas include:
1. Roof and Gutters
Dry leaves, twigs, bark and debris in gutters act like tinder. Embers land, smoulder and quickly ignite.
2. Vents and Gaps
Tiny gaps in roof sheeting, eaves, vents, under-floor spaces and walls allow embers to enter hidden cavities where they can burn unnoticed.
3. Decks, Patios and Verandahs
These areas often accumulate debris or have timber elements vulnerable to ignition.
4. Outdoor Items
Door mats, cushions, pot plants, lounges and timber furniture can ignite when embers collect on them.
5. Sheds and Outbuildings
Dry tools, farm gear, hay or fuel stored in sheds are highly flammable.
6. Fence Lines and Garden Beds
Mulch, dry plants, wood borders and long grass ignite easily.
Identifying these hot spots is step one. Strengthening them is step two.
📸 IMAGE RECOMMENDATION:
A diagram showing common ember entry points on a home.
How to Protect Your Home From Ember Attack
Ember protection is all about blocking entry points, removing fuel, and having water on hand to extinguish embers fast.
Below are the most effective defence strategies used by bushfire-resilient properties in NSW and QLD.
Step 1 – Strengthen Your Roof & Gutters
Clean and maintain gutters
Remove leaves, sticks and debris regularly, especially leading into summer.
Install metal gutter guards
This prevents embers lodging in trapped debris.
Repair loose tiles or roof sheeting
Even a 1cm gap can let embers inside the roof cavity.
Keep roof valleys and corners clear
These areas trap debris quickly.
Step 2 – Seal All Ember Entry Points
Install ember mesh
Use metal mesh (not plastic) with apertures less than 2mm on:
Vents
Weep holes
Eaves
Underfloor access points
Seal wall and roof gaps
Use non-combustible sealants, cement sheeting or fire-resistant materials.
Enclose under-house areas
If embers can blow into the subfloor, they can ignite hidden debris.
Step 3 – Reduce Flammable Material Around the Home
Remove or relocate:
Firewood piles
Outdoor cushions
Door mats
Fabric outdoor chairs
Gas bottles (store valves facing away from the house)
Rubbish piles and pallets
Replace mulch with gravel in garden beds near the house
Mulch is a major ember risk.
Trim vegetation
Keep branches away from roofs and walls.
📸 IMAGE RECOMMENDATION:
A photo of a cleared, low-fuel zone around a rural home.
Step 4 – Create an Ember-Safe Defendable Zone
A defendable zone is a buffer that stops embers from igniting anything close to the home.
Key elements include:
Short, green lawn
Non-flammable landscaping (gravel, pavers, stone)
Limited shrubs close to the home
Cleared fence lines
Fire-resistant plants
If your home has a timber deck, sweep underneath it regularly and block large gaps below with ember mesh.
Step 5 – Have Water and Equipment Ready to Extinguish Embers Immediately
Even a perfectly prepared home still needs water availability and firefighting tools ready to go. This is where your Rapid Spray products play a major role.
How Rapid Spray Products Help Protect Your Home From Ember Attack
Your company offers some of the best practical tools for extinguishing embers quickly before they turn into a full-blown fire.
Here’s how your products support an ember-protection strategy:
1. Portable Fire Fighting Units (Skid or Trailer)
Best for: Acreage, farms, rural homes, machinery sheds, paddocks
These units combine a water tank, pump and hose into one powerful portable system.
How they help with ember attack:
Allow you to rapidly extinguish spot fires ignited by embers
Provide high-pressure water delivery for distance and accuracy
Can be moved around the property, ideal for fence lines and sheds
Offer independence if mains water fails
🔥 Recommended from your site:
Rapid Spray Fire Fighting Trailer Units
Rapid Spray Skid Fire Fighting Units
2. High-Pressure Fire Pumps
Embers often start small fires in hard-to-reach areas. A high-pressure pump helps deliver powerful water streams exactly where needed.
Why they’re essential:
Provide strong water throw onto roofs, gutters, or high points
Work with tanks, dams or rivers when mains water is unavailable
Allow multiple hoses to run if required
🔥 Recommended:
Rapid Spray high-pressure pumps and engine-driven pump kits
3. Firefighting Hose Kits + Nozzles
High-quality hoses and adjustable nozzles give you control in ember conditions.
Benefits:
Switch between spray (cooling) and jet (penetration)
Durable and reliable under pressure
Portable for fast movement around property
🔥 Recommended:
Firefighting Hose Kits
Adjustable Firefighting Nozzles
4. Knapsack Sprayers for Spot Fires
Spot fires from embers can appear dozens of metres from your home.
Why knapsacks matter:
Perfect for extinguishing embers quickly
Ideal for roof edges, decks, fence lines and sheds
Lightweight and easy for any family member to use
🔥 Recommended:
Rapid Spray 16L or 20L Knapsack Sprayers
📸 IMAGE RECOMMENDATION:
Product shot of a Rapid Spray skid unit or pump in action.
Step 6 – Prepare an Ember Attack Response Plan
A plan helps you stay calm and organised when embers start falling.
Your plan should include:Before the fire arrives
Wet down decks, gutters and surrounding areas
Move firefighting equipment into accessible areas
Wear protective clothing
Monitor fire updates
When embers fall
Walk the property with a knapsack or hose
Check roof edges, corners and guttering
Inspect sheds, outdoor furniture, garden beds and decks
Extinguish any smouldering items immediately
After the ember storm
Keep patrolling, embers can ignite minutes or hours later
Refill tanks and knapsacks
Stay alert to shifting winds
🎥 VIDEO RECOMMENDATION:
“How to Patrol Your Property for Embers After a Fire Front”: A short practical demonstration.
Final Thoughts – Embers Are the Real Enemy, but You Can Defend Against Them
Ember attack is the silent threat that destroys most homes during bushfires. But the good news is that homeowners can dramatically improve their chances of protecting their property through early preparation, ember-proofing, fuel reduction and having appropriate firefighting equipment on hand.
By combining preventative actions with Rapid Spray’s portable fire units, pump systems, hoses and knapsack sprayers, you create a powerful defence strategy that works even when the fire is still kilometres away.
Preparation is your greatest tool and now is the time to start.