Wildfire season is here once again. And after last year’s devastating fires in California and throughout the West, many experts worry that continued drought conditions will lead to another year of heightened risk and high levels of destruction.
Sites throughout California monitored by fire officials, for example, are at or near record levels of dryness. Fuel moisture — the amount of water inside a living plant — “is the lowest that we’ve recorded at these sites since 2013,” Craig Clements, director of the Wildfire Interdisciplinary Research Center at San Jose State University told NPR. “It’s indicative of very dangerous conditions coming into this summer.”
Fire officials say in addition, fire season is starting earlier this year. The National Interagency Fire Center’s National Significant Wildland Fire Potential Outlook for May through August points to warmer and drier than normal conditions throughout the West — conditions expected to persist through fall.
Are you prepared? Here’s what you need to know to protect yourself, your home and business:
Revisit your insurance coverage. Homeowner’s insurance generally covers all fires, including wildfires, up to the policy’s monetary limits, unless the policyholder intentionally sets their home on fire. Policies vary, but any outbuildings or unattached structures on your property may also be covered, up to certain limits. When was the last time you reviewed your homeowners insurance coverage to make sure you have the right type and amount of coverage to protect your home? We can help with that.
Think about flood insurance. Fire-damaged areas are much more susceptible to flooding because of the lack of vegetation and fire-damaged soil. While fires are covered under homeowner’s policies, flooding is not. You must purchase flood insurance for your home to be covered, and there’s typically a 30-day waiting period for all flood policies.
Take defensive measures. Cleaning up dry material and creating fire breaks on your property can make a huge difference. Clear a natural firebreak between your home and surrounding trees, brush and uncut fields and even a neighbor’s unkempt or unmown back yard. Here’s some information from the Federal Emergency Management Agency on how to protect yourself and your home, before, during and even after, a wildfire.
Prepare in other ways as well. Having a home inventory, emergency kit and an emergency plan is key to making any fire less stressful on your family and pets. Here are more ways you can be prepared.
Finding the right insurance coverage for your home and business starts with SentryWest Insurance Services. With our extensive experience and combined knowledge of the insurance industry, we know what it takes to deliver quality service and solutions for the individuals and businesses we serve. Learn more about us on our website: {{account:url}}