Preparing for the Upcoming Wildfire Season: Mitigation Strategies and Insurance Insights

The Alarming Trend of Extended Wildfire Seasons

Wildfires in California and across the West are starting earlier and ending later each year. The ongoing drought worsened last week, with every part of the state in moderate drought or worse. After a 2020 fire season that Janet Ruiz, Triple-I's California-based director of strategic communications, called 'anything but normal,' this year's season may be even worse. Warmer spring and summer temperatures, reduced snowpack, and earlier spring snowmelt create longer, more intense dry seasons that make forests more susceptible to wildfire. The fire season's length is estimated to have increased by 75 days across the Sierras and seems to correspond with an increase in the extent of forest fires across the state.

Government and Insurance Industry Responses

California Gov. Gavin Newsom recently expanded a drought emergency declaration while seeking more than $6 billion in multiyear water spending. 'The hots are getting a lot hotter in this state, the dries are getting a lot drier,' he said. 'We have a conveyance system, a water system, that was designed for a world that no longer exists.' California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara has called for property insurers across the state to play a larger role in boosting wildfire preparedness among homeowners and businesses by providing more wildfire mitigation incentives. He spotlighted eight insurance companies in the state and the California FAIR Plan, which offer discounts to policyholders that have taken adequate steps to harden homes and mitigate wildfire risk. This group represents only 13 percent of the state market, and Lara hopes the figure will rise significantly this year.

Human-Caused Wildfires and Mitigation Strategies

As much as 90 percent of wildland fires in the United States are caused by people, according to the U.S. Department of Interior. Some human-caused fires result from campfires left unattended, the burning of debris, downed power lines, negligently discarded cigarettes and intentional acts of arson. The remaining 10 percent are started by lightning or lava. The Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety provides recommendations for reducing the likelihood of your home catching fire, including noncombustible siding, decking and roofing materials; covered vents; and fences not connected directly to the house. In addition, combustible structures in the yard such as playground equipment should be at least 30 feet away from the house and vegetation 100 feet away. But given weather, climate, and population trends, more than individual planning and risk transfer through insurance will be required to head off wildfire risk and bounce back from events. Innovation and a resilience mindset on the part of governments, businesses, homeowners, and communities will need to take hold.

For readers, it is crucial to stay informed about the latest wildfire mitigation strategies and insurance policies. Regularly updating your home's fire safety measures, understanding your insurance coverage, and participating in community preparedness programs can significantly reduce the impact of wildfires. Additionally, staying aware of local weather conditions and potential fire risks can help in taking timely preventive actions.