An insurance industry supported wildfire mitigation designation program has been expanded into 10 additional high-risk states with Florida being one.
The expansion comes at a time when Florida is experiencing widespread drought conditions and state officials are concerned that the next few months could be extremely active for wildfires. Nearly 80% of Florida is in an extreme or exceptional drought, according to the Florida Department of Agriculture.
The Wildfire Prepared program from the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) offers designations that show home owners and builders in high-risk areas have taken proven steps to reduce wildfire risk. Homeowners obtain the IBHS program designation by completing mitigation steps verified by a third party. The program also includes Wildfire Prepared Neighborhood, which recognizes builders and communities working to reduce home-to-home wildfire spread.
The Wildfire Prepared program offerings are in two levels for individual properties: Wildfire Prepared Home, which outlines essential actions to reduce risk from wind-driven embers, and Wildfire Prepared Home Plus, 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.
Established in 2022, Wildfire Prepared, which was previously available in California, Nevada, New Mexico and Oregon, is now also available in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Montana, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
“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.”
Homeowners can apply for the Wildfire Prepared Home designation, and builders, developers and community leaders can access program resources, at wildfireprepared.org.
Florida’s peak wildfire season usually encompasses April, May, and June, and the National Interagency Fire Center has predicted an “above normal significant wildfire potential” across the state this year.
Last Tuesday during Wildfire Awareness Week, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson and the Florida Forest Service urged Floridians to take steps to prepare for what could be an extremely active peak wildfire season.
“Florida is experiencing widespread drought conditions like we have not seen in years, and forecasts show the next few months could be extremely active for wildfires,” said Simpson. “We need all Floridians to do their part now by following local burn restrictions, staying alert to weather conditions when burning, and preparing their homes and yards to be wildfire ready.”
Since January, more than 1,500 wildfires have burned over 54,000 acres in Florida. Some 26 counties have enacted burn bans.
The current major active wildfires include one in Picayune Strand State Forest in Collier County that forced evacuations and is reported to be 60% contained; a South Miami-Dade County Fire that closed an 18-mile section in the Florida Keys; and multiple fires in the Big Cypress National Preserve area.
Wildfires Race Across US as Drought Spans Half the Nation
The Florida Forest Service is encouraging the public to visit BeWildfireReadyFL.com to learn how to protect life, homes, and communities.
One of the tools the Florida Forest Service uses to fight potentially devastating wildfires is prescribed burning. According to officials, approximately two million acres of public and private land in Florida are treated with prescribed fire each year.
Florida is not alone in its concern over drought and wildfires. Large parts of the western, central and southeastern US are dealing with a fast and early start to the wildfire season after an unusually hot winter with little snow.
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