The following is the Introduction to the Wildfire Survey report:

THE PURPOSE OF THIS REPORT

The purpose of the wildland fire inspection is to provide fire-safety information to those occupying - or considering occupying- homes in or near areas with significant risk of wildfires.  Its primary purpose is to identify areas in which improvements can be made to maximize occupant, pet, and livestock safety and evacuation time, and minimize fire-related losses. In addition to identifying key areas relevant to home survivability during a wildfire, this report also contains basic life safety information such as the resources for developing an evacuation plan.

Report content covers property features and items that may affect fire intensity, duration, and spread rate, along with evaluation of home features for ignition-resistance, and assessment of near-home fire mitigation.

Secondary focus is on information potentially useful to fire teams when performing triage during wildfires, such as property identification, wildfire fuels, safe access for emergency vehicles, water available for fighting fires, defensible space, key home features like ignition-resistant construction methods and materials, and potential hazards like propane tanks.

What is a Wildland Fire?

A wildland fire is an uncontrolled fire that burns in undeveloped areas (wildlands) adjacent to developed areas. The junction of these two areas is called the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI).

The threat to a property is influenced by:

  • The surrounding type, proximity, and density of combustible vegetation ("fuels"),
  • Topography, including slope, canyons, hills, gullies, or other elements that may affect the rate of fire spread or wind speed,
  • Accessibility, including the quality of signage leading to the property and home, and access road/driveway design and condition,
  • Response time: distance from firefighting equipment stations or substations,
  • Property fire mitigation practices, including creating defensible space around access roads/driveways and around structures on the property,
  • The availability of nearby water sources for use by firefighting equipment, and
  • Ignition-resistant home design and materials.

HOW TO USE THIS REPORT

Protect your Home, Family, and Pets

  1.  Make improvements to the home to increase its ability to survive a wildfire,
  2.  In some areas, qualifying homes may be able to use this information to make key changes that lower insurance premiums,
  3.  Local fire departments may find it helpful in performing triage during wildfires.

Fire Department Triage

During wildland fires, fire departments must decide to which homes they will commit fire protection equipment (a process called "triage"). They are more likely to commit to homes on property that is safe for them to enter, with homes that they have a good chance of saving. 

Because conditions change over time, re-inspection may be required each year at the beginning of the fire season. This varies by jurisdiction. Contact your local fire department for details.

Insurance

Insurance companies may take the information in this report into account when calculating the cost of your annual premium.

Disclaimer

This report is limited to identification of certain, easily-identified features and conditions and does not include evaluating risk levels or identifying compliance with any jurisdictional requirements. Although this report contains basic life safety information such as the necessity and resources for developing an evacuation plan, the focus of the survey is on occupant and home survivability. 

This is not pass or fail inspection, nor is it designed to identify any code violations.

 The purpose of this inspection report is to identify systems, major components, and features that increase the risk of home ignition during a wildfire, and those that reduce that risk. 

This is a visual inspection only and does not include research to verify the classification- or ignition resistance- of buildings, products, or materials.