A message from our partner, Church Mutual Insurance Company, S.I.
Wildfire risk continues to grow in California, and our partner, Church Mutual Insurance Company S.I.®, recently highlighted powerful insights from a wildfire demonstration hosted by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS).
How Embers Threaten Your Property
In the demonstration, two side-by-side structures were tested under a simulated wind-driven ember attack, the leading cause of home ignitions during wildfires:
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One structure was built to the IBHS Wildfire Prepared Home standard
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The other used standard materials and methods
The wildfire-resistant structure remained standing while the standard structure was completely destroyed in less than an hour. These findings have real-world implications, especially in places like California, where recent wildfires (including the Palisades and Eaton fires) were largely driven by embers carried by wind.
Zone 0: Your First Line of Defense
Zone 0 refers to the area 0–5 feet around your structure. It’s the area where embers are most likely to land and can ignite flammable materials, leading to structure ignition.
Fortunately, creating a noncombustible Zone 0 is one of the simplest and most effective steps you can take to reduce wildfire risk.
Steps to Improve Zone 0 Around Your Property:
- Remove ALL vegetation and combustible ground coverings such as wood mulch within 5 feet of the building. Wood mulch can be replaced with gravel, stone, or bare soil.
- Keep gutters, roofs, and decks free of leaves and debris.
- Install metal mesh screens on vents and in eaves to block embers.
- Replace combustible fence posts and gates within 5 feet of the building.
- Store firewood, vehicles, and any other flammable materials at least 30 feet away from the building.
Learn More and Stay Prepared
As part of their commitment to protecting the greater good, Church Mutual offers tools and resources to help organizations prepare for, reduce, and recover if disaster strikes.
- Explore the Church Mutual Wildfire Assistance and Resources Page for checklists, preparedness planning tips, and recovery support.
- Visit the IBHS Wildfire Prepared Home Program for additional tips to improve your Zone 0 and help protect your structure.
Start with Zone 0, it’s a simple but powerful step toward making your property more wildfire resilient.