How to Protect Your Home From Wildfires

Wildfires can be devastating to homes and life-threatening to inhabitants, costing hundreds of thousands of dollars in both medical and rebuilding expenses. In 2021 alone, 58,968 wildfires ravaged 7.1 million acres across the country, with California being the state most at risk.

Living in an area prone to wildfires could have repercussions on home insurance and how you organize and furnish your home. Even if you don’t live in an area prone to wildfires, it pays to be informed of the most common causes and how to protect yourself, your loved ones and your property.

Not all areas have an equal risk of wildfires. Locations with dry conditions and neighborhoods with houses in close proximity are more prone to wildfires. To determine an area’s level of risk when preparing to be a homeowner, take advantage of visual assessment tools, such as FEMA’s Fire Incidents for States and Counties, and consider evaluating the area where you live based on these three factors below.

A wildfire hazard potential map can help you explore the likelihood of a fire in your area based on past data and other factors, such as the weather, topography of the area and more.

Select your state using the interactive tool below to find your level of risk. Areas in a darker shade have more reported fires than those in lighter shades.

Wildfires can ravage forests and homes, hurting the environment and its inhabitants. Damages caused by wildfire can even impact the economy, as displaced individuals and the government alike will have to repair the area or move their sights elsewhere. For instance, the 2017 North Bay complex of wildfires caused a drop in employment and spike in unemployment claims in Napa and Sonoma counties.

Review the other effects that wildfires can cause to homeowners, the economy and the environment.

Investing in fire prevention is the best way to avoid injuries and property destruction. It can be as simple as regularly removing combustible materials, such as dead leaves, or as drastic as having fire-resistant landscaping. When you take a proactive approach to prevent wildfires, you can significantly increase the chances of your home surviving a catastrophic event.

Creating defensible space also involves hardening your home from advancing fires. Wildfire embers may find the weak link in your home's fire protection system and gain the upper hand. It’s important to think of fire defense across every part of your home, reducing the chance of ignition even in the face of direct flame.

In wildfire-prone areas, homeowner insurance policies are especially important because wildfires can quickly destroy property. The average homeowner insurance policy can cover the costs of repairing your home, replacing burned belongings and paying for a hotel during the reconstruction. However, not all providers offer equal coverage, so reviewing your policy is vital to see what is and isn’t covered.

Wildfires are often caused by humans — whether through negligence or an accident. If you live in an area surrounded by forests or combustible materials, avoiding activities that could cause wildfires is the best practice.

In case you suffer from a wildfire or want to prevent it, there are many resources available to help.

• Americares: Americares has previously provided cash assistance to wildfire victims. Aside from cash assistance, they also help with temporary housing in hotels to provide a semblance of stability.
• American Red Cross: A nonprofit organization that is dedicated to helping impacted individuals with their emergency needs.
• Center for Disaster Philanthropy: The Center for Disaster Philanthropy works to fight wildfires in prone areas, offering to help with the removal of trees and plants to prevent landslides and more.
• Forests and Rangelands: This website provides information about fire, fuel and land management.
• Fire Safe Marin: Learn how to harden your home through Fire Safe Marin’s guide. It covers small, easy steps for keeping your home safe.
• Lutheran Disaster Response: The mission of Lutheran Disaster Response is to offer hope, healing and renewal to people whose lives have been affected by disasters throughout the U.S. and worldwide.
• National Forest Foundation: The National Forest Foundation orients American communities and mobilizes the public to benefit from the 193-million-acre National Forest System.
• Ready For Wildfire: A nonprofit organization dedicated to helping prevent the spread of wildfire accidents. It offers text messages informing you of occurrences and plans and tips to prepare for the worst.
• Soil and Water Conservation Districts: After a wildfire or natural disaster, your local Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) may be able to assist you.
• The National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC): The NIFC serves as the country's national firefighting support center. The National Interagency Fire Center website provides information about fires across the country, contracting, maps, news and a daily situation report.
• United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR): As a nonprofit organization, UMCOR provides humanitarian relief and disaster relief to communities in the U.S. and abroad that are affected by a crisis or chronically in need.