Preparing for wildfire events
Wildfires are becoming more frequent and severe across the country. It’s crucial to take action to protect your organization and home, create defensible space, and reduce your risks.
Impacted by wildfires or winter weather? Whether you have a business that's been affected or your personal home and assets are damaged, know that you have a team of people to support you. Find resources here.
Important resources
Get guidance to protect your operations, assets, and people in the event of a wildfire disaster.
Wildfire resilience: Protecting your business
Wildfires are getting stronger—are you prepared to protect your business?
Wildfires are now a year-round threat across the U.S., not just a seasonal concern in the West. Rising temperatures, drought, and more development in Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) areas have increased the frequency and severity of wildfires.
Guy Carpenter reports over 60,000 communities are at risk for WUI fire activity, with California leading, followed by Texas, Florida, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania. Globally, extreme fires are projected to increase by 50% by the end of the century.
Many businesses find out too late that their insurance doesn’t cover all wildfire-related damage. Simply having coverage isn’t enough; you need the right protection for hidden risks.
Common coverage gaps include:
- Underinsured property: Rising costs can leave your buildings and inventory underinsured, leading to costly expenses when rebuilding.
- No coverage for landscaping and outbuildings: Standard policies often exclude non-structural assets.
- Inadequate business interruption coverage: Some policies only cover direct damage, not closures due to evacuations.
Protect your business by reviewing your risks and insurance with us before disaster strikes.
Physical damage to property and assets: Wildfires can destroy buildings, inventory, vehicles, and essential infrastructure. The risk is higher in areas with flammable materials or inadequate defensible space.
Business interruption and revenue loss: Even if your property isn’t damaged, nearby fires can cause temporary closures or evacuations, leading to significant income loss and impacting your bottom line.
Supply chain disruption: Wildfires can affect your suppliers and logistics partners, causing delays or halting operations. This is especially critical for industries like manufacturing, construction, and retail.
Employee safety and liability risks: As an employer, you are responsible for your staff's safety during emergencies. If you’re unprepared or have a confusing evacuation plan, it can lead to injuries, legal issues, and harm your reputation. Before a wildfire threatens your area, ensure your team understands the crisis communication plans.
Not preparing for a wildfire can be costly and may lead to legal issues that drain your resources. Preparation is key to helping your business navigate a wildfire disaster.
Facility and property
Create a defensible space around your facility by removing 30 to 100 feet of dry brush, dead plants, and flammable debris. This buffer slows fire spread and protects your structures.
Upgrade to ember-resistant and fire-rated materials, including vents, siding, and roofing. Install and maintain fire suppression systems with working sprinklers and commercial-grade extinguishers.
Set up backup power solutions, like a generator, to keep critical systems running during outages.
People and operations
Develop a wildfire emergency response plan that includes emergency contacts, evacuation routes, business continuity plans, and assigned roles.
Create a communication protocol with mass text alerts and emergency call trees.
Conduct fire safety drills at least twice a year to practice evacuation and extinguisher use.
Insurance readiness
Work with us to understand your risks. Review your policy limits and exclusions to ensure you’re not underinsured.
Evaluate your business interruption coverage with Marsh’s Forensic Accounting and Claims Services (FACS) team.
When a wildfire is nearby, every minute matters. An organized response can protect lives, limit property damage, and preserve business continuity.
During the fire:
- Monitor local emergency alerts in all areas where you operate. Assign a team member to keep leadership updated on threats.
- If evacuation is likely or air quality worsens, take action to reduce fire risks. Document shut-down procedures in advance for quick action.
- Evacuate staff according to local guidelines using your pre-established plan and notify employees through your emergency communication system.
- Keep customers and partners informed to maintain trust and minimize disruption. A clear communication strategy protects your brand reputation.
- Use your business continuity plan as a playbook and track decisions to support insurance claims.
After the fire:
- Document all damages immediately for a smooth claims process.
- Initiate claims with your carrier as soon as it’s safe.
- Engage Marsh’s Forensic Accounting and Claims Services (FACS) for support.
- Recovery is about resilience; use this time to strengthen your risk strategies. Our MMA team is here to help. Reach out to a local specialist.
Wildfire resilience: Protecting your home
Across the country, wildfires are becoming a year-round threat. Homeowners can take steps to strengthen their homes and build or retrofit them to be more resilient. Use the resources below to learn more and seek support if needed.
To protect your home from wildfires, focus on these key areas:
Your roof and vents
Start with your roof, then check your vents, gutters, windows, and attached structures like decks.
Materials matter
Choose fire-resistant materials for your home to reduce the risk of damage.
Adequate defensible space
Create a buffer zone around your property by maintaining defensible space. This helps slow the spread of fire.
The primary threat during wildfires comes from embers. By addressing these areas, you can significantly enhance your home’s resilience.
For more detailed actions you can take to protect your home and property, check out our article, From Ember to Ash.
When a wildfire is approaching your area, stay calm and take quick action to protect yourself and your loved ones. Our experienced team is here to help you every step of the way.
In this article, Extinguish Wildfire Flames, we share our recommendations for before, during, and after a wildfire event.
If you experience a covered loss, a dedicated claims analyst will be here to file a claim with your insurer and support you throughout the claims process.
If your home or property is affected by wildfire, use our claims guide to prepare your materials, navigate the claims process, and understand the actions you may need to take.
