Reduce fuel near the structure
IBHS recommends keeping the first five feet around a home free of combustible vegetation and materials. Review items such as mulch, stored belongings, debris beneath decks and combustible fencing that connects to the building. Noncombustible materials can reduce available fuel close to the home.
The surrounding property, building features and wider environment also matter. This is a starting point, not a complete assessment, official designation or assurance that a home will survive a wildfire.
Turn observations into a work list
| Look at | Document | Ask |
|---|---|---|
| Area next to the home | Dated observations of vegetation, storage and surface material | What changes are appropriate for this home and applicable fire requirements? |
| Roof and gutters | Debris and maintenance history | Who can safely inspect and maintain hard-to-reach areas? |
| Decks and attached fences | Connections to the house and material underneath | What work would reduce combustible pathways? |
| Openings and building details | Known vent and construction information | Would a qualified wildfire assessment be useful? |
Keep evidence useful
Photograph a specific area before and after work, label dates and retain invoices. A description such as “combustible storage removed from beneath the deck” is clearer than “property wildfire-proofed.”
Ask your insurer or insurance professional which mitigation evidence is relevant to their review. A change that reduces a vulnerability does not guarantee a discount, renewal or new coverage.
If your insurer is leaving
Separate the insurance deadline from the property-improvement plan. Work on both: understand when current coverage ends, compare available options, and document reasonable improvements. Use the nonrenewal checklist to organize that conversation.
Sources and further reading
- Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety, Wildfire Prepared Home: How to Maintain Your Home’s Defensible Space
- National Association of Insurance Commissioners: Fair Access to Insurance Requirements Plans
Sources support the general information. The checklists and examples are educational suggestions, not an insurer’s rules. Policy and state differences matter.