Preparing Your Home For Wildfire

The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety’s (IBHS) Wildfire Prepared Home program allows California homeowners to reduce their home’s wildfire risk following a system of science-proven steps. There are two levels you can qualify for:

• Wildfire Prepared Home Base helps protect your home from catching fire from embers by having a Class A roof, creating a 5-foot noncombustible area around your home, preparing your home’s exterior, and maintaining your deck, porch, and yard.  

• Wildfire Prepared Home Plus makes your home stronger against flames and radiant heat. The added protection includes covering gutters, enclosing eaves, using noncombustible siding, upgrading doors and windows, and moving sheds or other buildings at least 30 feet away.

The California Department of Insurance (CDI) requires insurance companies to offer discounts to homeowners who take steps to protect their homes from wildfires like those in the Wildfire Prepared Home program. 

Why participate?

This program is DIY (do-it-yourself), meaning homeowners are responsible for completing the protective actions against wildfire on their own.  There is local assistance for homeowners who would like help navigating the steps

The San Diego County Fire Protection District (County Fire) is helping homeowners in its area by providing a staff member to assist with the application process. This person can help by explaining local rules, filling out forms, and performing inspections.

Who is eligible?

If you live in the San Diego County Fire Protection District or the Deer Springs Fire Protection District, you can get help from County Fire with your application. Click here to see map for Eligible Area.

But even if you don’t live in these areas, any Californian who owns a detached, single-family home with 3 stories or less can apply for a designation through the IBHS  Wildfire Prepared Home website.

There is a $125 fee for an evaluator to come to your home to review and document that the wildfire mitigation actions have been taken. IBHS will review these documents and issue a certificate of designation if you qualify. Residents living within the San Diego County Fire area are eligible for a discount. 

This program is valuable for all homeowners, but you should especially consider participating if any of the following apply to you:

• You are building a new home.

• Your home was built after 2008, when fire-resistant materials became part of the California Building Code Chapter 7A.

• Your home is in Dulzura, Campo, or Potrero and you qualify for County Fire’s Home Hardening Initiative. (California Wilfire Mitigation Program)

Frequently Asked Questions
Most questions are answered on the IBHS Wildfire Prepared Home FAQ page.

Please email wildfire.prepared@sdcounty.ca.gov with any additional questions. 

Additional Resources

• California Department of Insurance Safer from Wildfires Webpage
• California Department of Insurance Safer from Wildfires Brochure
• IBHS Wildfire Prepared Home Program Webpage
• IBHS Wildfire Prepared Home Brochure
• IBHS Wildfire Prepared Home How to Prepare My Home Checklist