Who we are
Melodie Durham
Retired Fire Chief | 31 Years of Service with CAL FIRE
Melodie Durham brings unparalleled expertise to Matrix Fire Solutions, backed by 31 years of distinguished service with CAL FIRE. Throughout her career, she served in a wide range of firefighting and leadership roles across California, gaining firsthand experience in wildfire response and property protection. Her extensive background includes conducting thousands of defensible space inspections and directly witnessing which mitigation measures are most effective during active wildfires.
After 25 years in the field, Melodie advanced to the role of CAL FIRE’s Chief of Fire Prevention, Investigations and Engineering, where she led statewide initiatives to reduce wildfire risks. In this capacity, she collaborated with government agencies, the building industry, legislators, the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS), and the California Department of Insurance. Her work focused on enhancing fire prevention policies and empowering property owners to improve the resilience of their homes and communities.
Melodie’s depth of experience, from boots-on-the-ground firefighting to high-level policy development, makes her a trusted expert in wildfire mitigation.
Mark Durham
General Contractor | 40 Years of Construction Experience
Mark Durham is a highly respected general contractor with four decades of experience building and remodeling homes throughout the Bay Area. His extensive career has given him a deep understanding of construction best practices, from foundational work to advanced home hardening techniques.
Beyond standard construction, Mark has spent years assisting homeowners and businesses in the aftermath of natural disasters. He has conducted on-site evaluations, guided clients through recovery processes, and helped them navigate the complexities of obtaining federal assistance. This experience has given him a firsthand understanding of the impact of natural disasters — and the importance of proactive preparation.
As wildfire risks grew, Mark saw an increase in clients seeking ways to better protect their properties. Drawing on his background in home hardening, he sought expert insight from someone he trusted—his sister, Melodie Durham, a retired CAL FIRE Chief.
After consulting for her brother, they both saw the need for this kind of service to help homeowners and businesses understand the sometimes complex world of wildfire preparedness. Built around their unique combined set of skills and experience, Matrix Fire Solutions is now in business and ready to help!
“We look forward, enthusiastically, to putting our shared experience to work—helping more homeowners and businesses build real, lasting wildfire resilience.”
— Matrix Fire Solutions