KEEP

Kensington Ember Exclusion Program accepting applications for ember-resistant mesh, 4/1/2026 - 5/31/2026. Supplies limited.

Kensington Community Services District has launched the Kensington Ember Exclusion Program (KEEP) to strengthen home protection against wind-driven embers. KEEP expands wildfire resilience by pairing education with practical resources, delivered in partnership with Firesafe Kensington and Wildfire Defense Mesh for residents across the Kensington community.

Learn about the threat of wind-driven embers and how to fortify your home below. Apply for the KEEP Pilot program 4/1/2026 to 5/31/2026.

Program Highlights

• $15,000 in initial KCSD funding to launch a pilot focused on ember awareness and home hardening

• Education, guidance, and resources for resident-led projects that reduce ember entry and fire risk

• Material resources for qualifying residents, including ember-resistant metal mesh

• Partnership-driven delivery that prioritizes efficiency, transparency, and community-wide benefit

The image outlines the timeline for the 2026 KEEP pilot program, detailing phases for application, procurement, and installation.

START HERE FIRST: Read the KEEP Program Overview

CLICK HERE TO BEGIN YOUR APPLICATION

Please call the KCSD Admin Office for assistance submitting a hardcopy application. Phone: (510) 526-4141 x 4 or 5

ABOUT WILDFIRE DEFENSE MESH

Learn about Wildfire Defense Mesh by visiting their homepage.

KEEP will be offering 1/8" and 1/16" mesh in black or white. Review the table below that provides the differences between the mesh sizes, as well as the pros and cons.

The image shows mesh window designs with options for foundation and soffit/eave colors, including product codes.

The image compares 1/8-inch and 1/16-inch mesh sizes for venting, highlighting pros, cons, and recommendations for use.

Embers Will Expose Your Home's Wildfire Vulnerability

The image illustrates how wind-driven embers can travel miles ahead of a fire, igniting homes and creating spot fires in communities.

Most homes lost in wildfires don’t ignite from flames—they ignite from wind-driven embers. Embers can travel more than a mile ahead of a fire, slipping through vents or landing on dry vegetation, decks, and other flammable materials near homes. These spot fires can ignite structures and spread fire rapidly through a neighborhood long before the main fire arrives.

Protecting your home means blocking ember entry and reducing what embers can ignite around it. Simple steps—such as hardening vents, removing hazardous vegetation, and working with neighbors—can significantly improve your home’s resilience and help protect the entire community when wildfire threatens.

Embers In Action: Videos Demonstrate Fire Danger and Ember Threat

The following videos from the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) reveal how embers infiltrate homes, showing how wind-driven embers exploit even the smallest vulnerabilities. The footage demonstrates that embers can pass through standard 1/4” mesh, increasing risk of igniting materials inside vents and enclosed spaces.

Installing a finer 1/8” and 1/16” mesh significantly reduces this risk by preventing ember entry. The video makes the threat both visible and urgent—turning awareness into action. IBHS’s research continues to inform building standards and defensible space practices, helping communities understand how small upgrades can make a critical difference in preventing home ignition during wildfires.