How to Claim MOFD's Free Ember Vents and Gutter Guards Before June 30

MOFD's Home Hardening Grant Program currently puts three free offerings on the table: HomeSafe-brand stainless-steel gutter guards shipped to your door, 1/16" wildfire defense mesh for your existing vents, and up to $1,000 reimbursed per parcel for qualified ember-resistant vent replacements. Everything closes June 30, 2026. No contractor is required to apply. No inspection is required. The forms take about five minutes. If you live in Orinda city limits, you can stack MOFD's $1,000 with the City of Orinda's $1,500 grant for a combined $2,500 in reimbursements. This article tells you exactly what to do for each program.

Part 1: Free Stainless-Steel Gutter Guards

What you get

MOFD will ship HomeSafe brand stainless-steel gutter covers directly to your home address, free of charge. Delivery runs approximately 30 days from when your application is confirmed, pending material availability. The HomeSafe website (homesafegutterguard.com) has an online measuring tool you can use to calculate the total linear feet you need before you fill out the form.

The grant covers materials only. Installation is your responsibility: hire a contractor or install yourself at your own cost. One condition: the material must be installed at the delivery address within six months of receipt.

Who qualifies

All residential parcels within MOFD's jurisdiction are eligible: Moraga, Orinda, and Canyon. There are no income requirements. If you rent, check with your landlord before applying; installing gutter guards requires permission from the property owner. New construction and major remodels are not eligible.

Step-by-step to order gutter guards

Step 1: Measure your gutters

Go to homesafegutterguard.com and use the online measuring tool. Walk the perimeter of your home and measure the total linear feet of gutter on each face. Write down the total; you will enter this number on the order form.

Step 2: Fill out the order form

Go to the MOFD Gutter Guard order form

You will need:

• Your name and mailing address (must be within the MOFD service area)
• Total linear feet of gutters
• Contact phone number and email address for delivery coordination

Step 3: Submit and wait for confirmation

MOFD will confirm your order. Delivery is approximately 30 days. The guards ship directly to your home. You do not need to pick them up.

Step 4: Install (or schedule installation)

HomeSafe markets these guards as suitable for DIY installation. Review the product instructions for your specific gutter profile before proceeding. If you prefer to hire a gutter contractor, get quotes in advance; your material cost is $0, so you are only paying for labor. Take before-and-after photos of your gutters. MOFD may ask for confirmation of installation.

Part 2: Ember-Resistant Vents: Up to $1,000 Reimbursement

What you get

MOFD will reimburse up to $1,000 per parcel for ember-resistant vents you purchase and install. The reimbursement covers the vent purchase price and sales tax only, not labor, installation, hardware, caulk, or contractor fees. The cap is per parcel, not per vent: if your receipts total $800, you get $800 back; if they total $1,400, you get $1,000.

Alternatively, if you want to supplement your existing vents rather than replace them, MOFD will ship 1/16" wildfire defense mesh to you for free. That option is covered under Part 3 below.

Who qualifies

All MOFD residential parcels are eligible. The vents must be retrofits of existing vents. New construction and major remodels are not eligible. To qualify for reimbursement, the vents must meet California Building Code Section 7A or California Residential Code R337. Specifically, they must be on the OSFM Building Materials Listing under Category 8165: Vents for Wildland Urban Interface.

If you rent, confirm with your landlord before purchasing or replacing vents. Installation of permanent fixtures typically requires property owner consent. Note that the reimbursement check may be issued in the property owner's name.

How to pick approved vents

Do not buy anything until you have confirmed the product is on the approved list. A receipt showing a product that does not match an active OSFM Category 8165 listing will not be reimbursed.

Step 1: Go to the OSFM Building Materials Listing search

URL: OSFM BML Category 8165 search

Step 2: Search Category 8165

Select "Vents for Wildland Urban Interface" from the category dropdown. Browse by brand name or search for a specific product.

Step 3: Note the exact make and model

Your receipt must show the same product name as the OSFM listing. Screenshot the listing result for your records; you will submit it with your reimbursement application.

Common approved vent brands (verify current status before purchasing; the list is maintained by OSFM and subject to change):

• Brandguard Vents
• Vulcan Vents
• EmbersOut

Always confirm at the OSFM BML Category 8165 search before purchasing.

Step-by-step to claim the $1,000 reimbursement

Step 1: Identify which vents to replace

Focus on foundation and crawl-space vents, under-eave vents, gable vents, and roof ridge vents. Count how many you need to replace and take photos of the existing vents. These are helpful for your records and if MOFD has follow-up questions.

Step 2: Buy approved vents

Purchase from a licensed home improvement store or directly from the manufacturer. Keep all receipts. You need itemized receipts that show the product name, quantity, price, and sales tax as separate line items. A receipt that shows a lump sum will not be sufficient.

Step 3: Install (or hire a contractor)

Installation is at your cost. Many licensed general contractors or handymen can replace vents. Get multiple quotes. Typical labor runs $30–75 per vent depending on vent type and access difficulty.

Step 4: Fill out the reimbursement form

Go to the MOFD vent reimbursement form

Required documentation:

• Proof of residency: utility bill, property tax bill, or California driver's license showing your address
• Itemized purchase receipt(s) showing approved vent model(s), quantity, price, and sales tax
• Proof that the vent model matches OSFM Category 8165 listing (print or screenshot the OSFM search result for each product)
• Property address within the MOFD service area

Step 5: Submit before June 30, 2026

The form and all documentation must be submitted before the deadline. MOFD will review the application and, if approved, issue a reimbursement check.

Program terms, including the deadline and available funding, are subject to change. Confirm current terms with MOFD directly before purchasing materials or submitting your application.

Part 3: Free Vent Mesh Instead

If you do not want to replace entire vents, MOFD will ship 1/16" wildfire defense mesh to you for free. You install this mesh over or behind existing vents to reduce ember intrusion through gaps in deteriorating screens or inadequately rated vent covers.

Available widths: 60", 49", 36", 7.5", 2.5" circles, 3.5" circles.

To order: MOFD vent mesh order form

You will specify the widths and quantities you need. MOFD ships directly to your address.

One note on which option to choose: free mesh is a reasonable supplement for vents that are in good shape but improperly screened. If your vents show visible damage, missing screens, or gaps wider than 1/16 inch, MOFD recommends replacing rather than supplementing them. A new Category 8165 vent addresses the structural issue and the purchase is potentially reimbursable under the $1,000 program. If you are unsure whether your vents need replacement, contact MOFD or a licensed contractor for an assessment.

Orinda residents: stack to $2,500 total

If you live within Orinda city limits (not just the MOFD service area generally, but specifically inside Orinda), you can combine MOFD's $1,000 vent reimbursement with the City of Orinda's $1,500 home hardening grant for a combined $2,500 in reimbursements.

City of Orinda grant eligibility: you need one of the following:

• A Fire Adapted Community (FAC) Assessment completed within the past year, OR
• A compliance notice from MOFD received on or after August 16, 2022, OR
• Your neighborhood is a recognized Firewise USA community (there are 40+ recognized Firewise neighborhoods in the Moraga-Orinda area)

The City of Orinda approved the increased $1,500 grant amount on April 7, 2026. The formal program rollout through Fire Safe Moraga-Orinda (FSMO) is expected mid-summer 2026. Contact the City of Orinda directly at cityoforinda.gov to confirm the program is accepting applications before applying.

How to apply for the Orinda add-on:

Contact the City of Orinda directly. The Orinda grant is administered separately from MOFD's program. Apply for MOFD's reimbursement first, then apply to the city using your MOFD reimbursement confirmation as supporting documentation.

What proof to have ready (checklist)

Before you open any form, gather these items:

• Proof of residency: utility bill, property tax bill, or California driver's license showing your property address
• For vent reimbursement: itemized receipts showing product name, quantity, price, and sales tax as separate line items
• OSFM Category 8165 listing printout or screenshot for each vent model you purchased
• For gutter guards: total linear footage of your gutters (measure before filling out the form)

What the grant covers and what it does not

Contact MOFD directly

Questions about any of these programs can go directly to the MOFD Fuels Mitigation team:

• Phone: (925) 258-4599
• Email: Info@mofd.org
• Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM (closed noon–1:00 PM)
• Address: 1280 Moraga Way, Moraga, CA 94556

This article is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, insurance, financial, or construction advice. Grant program details are based on MOFD's published program information as of June 2026. Program terms, eligibility criteria, dollar amounts, and deadlines are subject to change. Verify current terms directly with MOFD before purchasing materials or submitting applications. Always consult qualified professionals before making decisions about your home.

Continue learning

• Free from MOFD: All Four Home Hardening Grant Programs: overview of all four programs including chipper and broom puller
• The Big Three: Roof, Vents & Defensible Space: why these upgrades matter most
• Home Hardening Checklist: full room-by-room sequence
• Take the Home Fire Readiness Score: 10 minutes to know where your home stands

Sources: MOFD Home Hardening Grant Program · MOFD news release Jan 13, 2025 · OSFM BML Category 8165 · HomeSafe Gutter Guard