- Wildfires can now happen nearly year-round, and millions of U.S. homes face serious risk.
- Preparing your home means reducing ember risk, clearing debris and creating defensible space.
- It’s also smart to build an emergency kit, document belongings and plan evacuation routes ahead of time.
- If a wildfire happens, follow evacuation orders, stay alert for hazards and document damage before filing a claim.
Reduce Your Wildfire Risk
In the past, wildfires were most likely to happen between May and October. Now, fires can occur any time of the year and are burning more intensely amid extreme conditions. What the U.S. Forest Service once characterized as a four-month-long fire season now lasts six to eight months of the year, with fires even in winter months becoming part of the norm.
Key Takeaways
Most wildfires occur in western states where heat, drought and frequent thunderstorms create ideal conditions for outbreaks. According to Verisk’s Wildfire Risk Analysis,¹ 4.5 million U.S. homes are identified at high or extreme risk for wildfires, with more than 2 million in California alone.
But fire isn’t just a problem out west. The warming planet raises the risk of major fire damage in other areas of the country, as well.¹
Quick tip: Wondering how to prepare for a wildfire? The most effective approach is to improve your home’s readiness, build an evacuation plan and keep a simple wildfire checklist on hand before fire season starts.
States with the highest wildfire risk
| State | Number of Properties* |
|---|---|
| California | 2,040,600 |
| Texas | 717,800 |
| Colorado | 373,900 |
| Arizona | 242,200 |
| Idaho | 175,000 |
| Washington | 155,500 |
| Oklahoma | 153,400 |
| Oregon | 147,500 |
| Montana | 137,800 |
| Utah | 136,000 |
| New Mexico | 131,600 |
| Nevada | 67,100 |
| Wyoming | 36,800 |
How to prepare for a wildfire
A single spark from a cigarette, campfire or downed power line can ignite a blaze that could last for weeks. And most structures that burn in a wildfire are ignited by embers carried downwind ahead of the fire. Take these steps to help keep yourself, your family and your property safe.
Make your home wildfire-ready
- Wrap your home with fire-resistant shingles and siding if possible.
- Cover attic vents with 1/8-inch metal screens.
- Regularly clean debris from gutters and downspouts. Leaves, twigs and litter act as fuel for fires caused by wind-borne embers.
- Create defensible zones around your house.
- Plant fire-resistant landscaping.
A simple wildfire checklist can help you stay organized as you work through these home-hardening steps.
Wildfire prep at a glance:
| Wildfire stage | What to focus on |
|---|---|
| Before a wildfire | Prepare your home, build a supply kit, document belongings and review your evacuation routes. |
| During a wildfire | Follow official instructions, evacuate when told, protect critical documents and take your emergency supplies. |
| After a wildfire | Return only when authorities say it’s safe, watch for hazards, document damage and contact your insurer. |
Wildfire checklist tip: Focus first on the items that may help slow ember ignition around your home – clearing gutters, screening vents, moving combustibles and planning two evacuation routes.
Download the free IBHS Wildfire Ready Virtual app for a quick and easy way to check if you're wildfire-ready.
Plan ahead
- Stock enough emergency supplies for 72 hours. Learn more.
- Download the Emergency App for iPhone (Start here) or Android (Start here).
- Know your insurance coverage and where to find your policies. Start here.
- Take photos or video of each room to document your belongings.
- Store contact info for emergency services, family members, friends, neighbors and your insurance company in your phone.
- Know your community’s warning system and the emergency shelter locations.
- Plan and practice two escape routes and specify a meeting place.
- Develop a family communication plan and share it with others.
It may also help to review how to file a home insurance claim before an emergency, so you know what information you may need if wildfire damage happens.
If a wildfire is coming
- Report it by calling 911.
- Ensure gutters are clear of debris.
- Close windows in your house and car to keep out burning embers.
- Fill pools, hot tubs, garbage cans or other large containers with water.
- Connect garden hoses for firefighters to use to put out fires on rooftops.
- Bring outdoor furniture, wooden containers and any other combustibles inside.
- Keep your cellphone and other electronic devices adequately charged, and have a backup battery.
- Protect all important documents in a fireproof safe.
- Park your car facing your escape route and evacuate immediately if told to do so.
- If you must evacuate, unplug appliances and turn off utilities, including natural gas or propane. Take your emergency supplies and important documents; let loved ones know where you plan to go.
What to do after a wildfire
- Let family members know you’re safe.
- Be prepared for potential flooding, since the ground might be charred and lack vegetation.
- Return home only when authorities say it’s safe.
- Be careful when entering burned areas, since fires may flare up without warning.
- Maintain a fire watch for several hours after the first has passed; look for signs of smoke or embers throughout your property.
- Report serious structural damage, downed power lines and gas leaks to local officials.
- Contact us as soon as possible to report damage and file a claim. Start here.
- Restock your emergency supplies.
- When rebuilding or repairing damage, invest in fire-resistant building materials to avoid repeat problems.
Start with safety first, then document damage with photos or video and contact your insurance company to find out if wildfire damage is covered on your homeowners policy.
Need more general emergency planning guidance? Learn how to prepare for a storm or a power outage.
Does home insurance cover wildfire damage?
Coverage depends on your policy terms and the cause of the loss. Reviewing your homeowners policy before wildfire season can help you understand what may be covered if your home is damaged by a wildfire.
Get an insurance quote today
More resources
FAQs about preparing for wildfires
Focus on reducing fuel around your home, using fire-resistant materials where possible, creating a 72-hour emergency kit, documenting your belongings and planning evacuation routes in advance.
Follow local emergency alerts, evacuate right away if officials tell you to leave, close windows to help keep out embers and bring essential supplies, medications and important documents with you.
Return only when authorities say it’s safe, watch for structural hazards, report utility issues and document any property damage before beginning cleanup or repairs.
Coverage depends on your policy terms and the cause of loss. To review broader homeowners coverage information, explore what’s generally included in a policy.
Your Policy, Policy Declarations or Amended Declarations in effect on the date of loss is the primary source of reference for your coverage, coverage limits and deductible amounts.
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