Brad Sawyer
Risk Advisory Leader
Dry winds begin to rustle through canyon trees. Hillsides that looked lush in spring begin fading into muted shades of gold and amber. And while you’re still enjoying the warm days hiking new trails and cool nights cozied up under blankets, what has traditionally been thought of as wildfire season has made its return. Yet for many homeowners, especially those with properties tucked into mountain communities, coastal ridgelines, or wooded retreats, wildfire season is now year-round.
Further complicating matters is that what was once a concern confined to areas like hillsides in California, Colorado, and the Pacific Northwest has migrated east, creating a risk for homeowners who may not expect it. Wildfire activity in the U.S. has been more active than historical norms in 2026. According to the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC), by early May, more than 1.88 million acres had burned nationwide—above the 10-year average for the same period—with active fire behavior across Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, New Mexico, Oregon, and Southern California simultaneously.
While no amount of preparation can remove risk entirely, thoughtful mitigation strategies may help reduce vulnerabilities and improve a property’s ability to withstand wildfire-related threats.
