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Fire Adapted Communities & Insurance

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Fire Adapted Communities

The National Wildfire Coordinating Group defines a fire adapted community as “A human community consisting of informed and prepared citizens collaboratively planning and taking action to safely coexist with wildland fire.” https://fireadapted.org/.

Fire adapted communities are knowledgeable, engaged communities where the actions of residents and agencies create a fire culture that allows fire to play more of its natural role while protecting people and assets from the damage it can do.

Benefits of being “Fire Adapted”

  • Peace of mind knowing that your home is better prepared to survive a wildfire
  • Defensible space reduces fire from advancing and endangering lives and homes
  • Property values improve while reducing risk of loss
  • Greater sense of human connection, community interaction and pride
  • Better neighbor relations
  • Possible insurance rate reduction or benefit
Reducing your home’s wildfire risk begins with you!

Firefighters are available to come to your home or property and perform a FREE defensible space site assessment, make recommendations, and help you prioritize your list of fire mitigation measures. Contact info in "Who You Gonna Call" on the right.

Phrases to Know

HOME IGNITION ZONE (HIZ) is the home and the area around the home (or structure). The HIZ takes into account both the potential of the structure to ignite and the quality of defensible space surrounding it.

DEFENSIBLE SPACE is the area around a home (or structure) that has been modified to reduce fire hazard by creating space between potential fuel sources.

WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE (WUI) is a set of conditions under which a wildland fire reaches beyond trees, brush, and other natural fuels to ignite homes and their immediate surroundings. Nearly all homes and properties in Middle Park are within the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI).

FIREWISE is a special distinction given to communities that are recognized under the Firewise USA™ Program as having followed a systematic approach to organizing and implementing a Firewise mitigation plan in their neighborhood. The Firewise Communities/USA® Recognition Program provides a series of steps to prepare homes and neighborhoods in advance of a wildfire. There are over 700 recognized communities in nearly all of the 50 states. Colorado is ranked #3 for the number of recognized Firewise USA® sites with more than 180 earning the designation.

  • While “Firewise communities” occur at the neighborhood level, a Firewise community alone does NOT make a “fire adapted community.” Multiple Firewise communities working together with civic leaders, business owners and developers, first responders, land managers, and others contributes to a “fire adapted community.”

Wildfire and Insurance

Did you know? Homes in Middle Park sometimes face higher insurance premiums (and even cancellation).

Keep any eye out for upcoming WUI legislation and building code – expected Fall of 2025 – that will require homeowner mitigation for new construction, building expansions, and major renovations. While mitigation still won’t be required for existing homes, it is still a smart idea for everyone and could help to keep or lower your insurance.

It is critical to stress how important the issue of insurance and wildfire mitigation is for homeowners whose properties are affected by the WUI. Local fire professionals seek homeowner cooperation and participation in the mitigation process, and insurance companies are demanding it.

If you are trying to sell a property that has NOT been mitigated, insurance companies may refuse to insure the new buyer’s purchase.

Being proactive and spending money up front for mitigation could save you thousands of dollars thereafter.  Contact your insurance agent today to see what steps you may take to reduce your risk, enhance your coverage, lower your premium, and prevent potential cancellation.

References

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