Can you build a fire-resistant house?

The new fires engulfing Malibu leave me wondering once again what can be done to make houses fire-resistant. Most houses in the U.S., at all price levels and in most geographic areas (parts of south Florida might be an exception) are "stick-built:" the frame and rafters are made of lumber covered with plywood or osb sheathing. Even if the exterior is covered with non-flammable materials like brick or Hardiplank and asphalt shingles, embers get through cracks and spaces, and once heat or embers get to the wood the whole thing goes up. When windows crack fire sweeps in. People in fire zones are told to maintain clear space around the house, install better windows, plant fire-resistant shrubbery, etc., but the structure itself remains vulnerable. Question: Within the limits of ordinary materials and construction practices, what can be done to keep homes from going up like matchsticks? Suppose sheathing was covered or replaced with cement board? Suppose lumber was treated with fire-retardant, or replaced with metal framing? Suppose exterior sprinklers made it harder for fire to spread? Apart from building concrete fortresses, what might save these homes?