Wildfire Mitigation for Businesses and Homes

Wildfires have changed the landscape of insurance in California.  As a year-round threat, insurance companies have made drastic changes to how they insure homes and businesses in the state.

Property owners have likely heard about wildfire mitigation and what they can do to protect their homes and businesses from the risk of wildfire.

With hot, dry conditions, wildfires spread rapidly once they have begun.  The best way to prepare for a fire is to take steps ahead of time to give your property the best chance of minimizing damage.

Mitigation for Businesses

A defensible space around your business is always the first step.  Remove or minimize anything combustible, such as firewood or wooden furniture, within 25-30 feet of your building.  Plants, shrubs, and trees should be trimmed and pruned.  If possible, consider using drought-resistant plants.

Make sure your roof and gutters are in good condition.  Any gaps or loose tiles in your roofing could be a way for embers to get into the building.

Outbuildings should be at least 50 ft. from your main building, and anything flammable should be kept in the appropriate storage containers.

Ensure that there are no dead trees, bushes, shrubs, or plants on the property. Do not let dead leaves accumulate.

Businesses should always have an evacuation plan in place, and it should be given to every employee.

The California Department of Insurance has partnered with various emergency response and agencies in California to create the Safer From Wildfires Program. You can learn more from the link but by following certain actions and steps, you can get a discount on your insurance policy.  Examples include having a Class A rated roof, 5 foot ember resistant zone, upgraded windows, and compliance with defensible space.

Mitigation for Homes

Within your immediate zone within 5 feet of the building, it is recommendedthat you keep the roof and gutters clean and in repair, attic vents should be covered with 1/8 metal mesh, any broken windows and screens should be repaired, screen or block off the underside of decks and patios to keep debris from accumulating, keep firewood, plants and mulch away from the walls of your house.

For the intermediate zone of 5 to 30 feet from your house, it is recommended that you keep your lawn short, have paved driveways, walkways, and patios to act as a firebreak, keep trees trimmed and remove branches lower than 6-10 feet, and keep your trees spaced out and not crowded.

In the extended zone from 30 to 200 feet, it is recommended that any dead plants and trees be removed, ground debris be immediately removed, such as dead branches or leaves, keep a clear space around any outbuildings and sheds, and continue to have your trees spaced out.