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Expansion of the Wildfire Prepared Program

The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) has recently announced the significant expansion of its Wildfire Prepared program, now reaching 10 additional states across the United States. This initiative brings the total number of participating states to 14, allowing more homeowners and builders in high-risk wildfire areas to benefit from the latest research-based mitigation strategies that can protect properties from devastating wildfires.

Understanding the Wildfire Prepared Program

Launched initially in states such as California, Nevada, New Mexico, and Oregon, the Wildfire Prepared program has quickly gained attention for its comprehensive approach to wildfire risk management. The program is divided into two main designations for individual properties:

• - Wildfire Prepared Home: This baseline designation outlines crucial steps homeowners can take to minimize risks from wind-driven embers, a primary cause of structure ignition during wildfires.
• - Wildfire Prepared Home Plus: For those seeking enhanced protection, this designation reinforces safeguards against radiant heat and direct flame contact, further protecting homes in wildfire-prone areas.

In addition to protecting individual properties, the program recognizes community efforts through its Wildfire Prepared Neighborhood designation, which highlights builders and communities that actively collaborate to prevent the spread of wildfires from home to home.

The Impact of the Expansion

As Roy Wright, president and CEO of IBHS, aptly points out, wildfires do not recognize property lines. Once a wildfire enters a neighborhood, the surrounding built environment can either inhibit its spread or exacerbate it. Therefore, coordinated efforts among homeowners and builders are essential for improving the chances of survival for structures in these high-risk areas. The recent expansion allows even more families and neighbors to take integrated, scientifically validated actions to mitigate risks and strengthen resilience against wildfires.

Notably, the Wildfire Prepared program is supported by extensive IBHS research that investigates how homes ignite during wildfire events and identifies the most effective mitigation strategies to interrupt the dangerous spread of fires from one structure to another. With the new states joining the initiative—Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Montana, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming—many more homeowners now have access to effective tools and resources designed to protect their homes.

A Holistic Approach to Wildfire Resilience

According to Steve Hawks, senior director for wildfire at IBHS, achieving wildfire resilience involves more than a single enhancement or checklist. It requires a multifaceted approach, implementing a variety of mitigation measures for both homes and landscaping, coupled with ongoing maintenance. When these protective measures are combined effectively, they can significantly increase the probability of a home’s survival during a wildfire and also enhance long-term insurability for homeowners.

With the expansion of the Wildfire Prepared program, the IBHS is making it easier than ever for homeowners, builders, and community leaders to implement these proven systems, helping them demonstrate meaningful risk reductions and enhancing overall safety and security in wildfire-prone areas.

How to Get Involved

Homeowners interested in learning more about the benefits of the Wildfire Prepared Home designation can visit wildfireprepared.org for additional information and application instructions. Meanwhile, builders, developers, and community leaders can access program resources and submit inquiries about the Wildfire Prepared Neighborhood initiative to contribute to a safer environment for all.

In summary, the expansion of the Wildfire Prepared program by IBHS stands as a testament to the increasing awareness of wildfire risks and the critical need for proactive measures to safeguard homes and communities alike. With science-based solutions now available across 14 states, the IBHS is paving the way towards a more resilient future amidst the growing challenges posed by wildfires.