The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety has expanded its Wildfire Prepared designation program to 10 additional states, bringing the total to 14, according to IBHS. The expansion is in response to increasing demand for proven, research-based wildfire mitigation actions that help homeowners and builders in high-risk areas better protect their homes and neighborhoods from wildfires.
Established in 2022, Wildfire Prepared is built on the latest IBHS research examining how homes ignite during wildfire events and the mitigation measures that most effectively reduce spread from home to home. The program previously was available in California, Nevada, New Mexico and Oregon and now also is available in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Montana, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
Wildfire Prepared Home outlines essential actions to reduce risk from wind-driven embers, and Wildfire Prepared Home Plus outlines an enhanced level of protection against radiant heat and direct flame contact. Homeowners can earn the designation by completing a set of science-based steps verified by a third party.
The program also includes Wildfire Prepared Neighborhood, which recognizes builders and communities working together to reduce home-to-home wildfire spread.
“Wildfire resilience isn’t a single upgrade or a one-time checklist— it takes a set of mitigations to both the home and landscaping, along with ongoing maintenance,” said Steve Hawks, senior director for wildfire at IBHS. “When mitigation measures work together, they improve the chances a structure survives and help strengthen long-term insurability. Expanding Wildfire Prepared makes it easier for more homeowners, builders and communities to implement that system and demonstrate that meaningful risk reduction has taken place.”
Learn more at wildfireprepared.org.
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