WHAT

Resident Mitigation

Resident mitigation is about empowering the people who live in your community to reduce the impacts of wildland fire. Resident mitigation includes those actions which you can take around the home (as well as other structures) and in neighborhoods to create conditions that resist ignition or lead to low-intensity fire. Any person (full-time or part-time resident, renter or owner, single-family or multi-family residence, rural or urban area) can take action. There are many examples of programs to help community members take action, including Firewise USA® recognition programs,  community cost-share chipping programs, home assessment programs and more. Check out some of the resources and ideas below.

Considerations

1
Science about the vulnerability of homes to wildfire is readily available. Ensure you are up to date on the best available science, materials and resources, such as the research from the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety.
2
Many resources and programs are tailored to single-family home owners. Remember, when working on your own mitigation and risk reduction programs, to include information for long-term renters, homeowners who rent out their homes through short-term rentals, mobile or manufactured homes, suburban communities, and multi-family properties.
3
The costs of reducing the risk to homes, apartment, or other structures will vary, as will the impact of those actions. Consider setting up programs to help offset the cost of the work for your community, especially for those who have financial need.

EXPLORE Resident Mitigation RESOURCES

  • WHO

  • WHERE

  • FORMAT

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Found 27 Results

Preparing Together: Ashland, OR

Website / Interactive Map
Ashland Chamber of Commerce and Ashland Fire & Rescue
This website provides clear resources on smoke, evacuation, and risk mitigation for visitors, employees, business owners, and residents. This site is a good example of wildfire communication for visitors in areas with significant out-of-area guests. Read More

Prepare for Wildfire: Defensible Space

Website / Interactive Map
CAL FIRE
This resource explains the concept of defensible space, provides clear instructions and illustrations, and contains flyers and checklists to support residents as they work to increase their wildfire resilience. Read More

Insurance Information Institute

Website / Interactive Map
Insurance Information Institute
The Insurance Information Institute is a non-profit organization focused on providing information to insurance consumers.  The III provides information, tailored to wildfire, about the kinds of coverage you may need as well as tips for those who need to make a wildfire claim. The III also completed an overview of wildfire insurance and recovery resources as well as provides... Read More

Insurance for Wildfire

Website / Interactive Map
Insurance Information Institute
This resource is designed for insurance consumers. Focused on providing information about different types of insurance coverage as well as steps to take after a loss, this resource provides easy to understand information for homeowners, renters or condo/co-op policy holders. Read More

How to Prepare Your Home For Wildfire

Guide / Pamphlet / Handout
National Fire Protection Association
Wildfire risk reduction steps that can make your home safer during a wildfire. This is a simple and easy to understand handout. Read More

Firewise USA® Resources

Guide / Pamphlet / Handout
National Fire Protection Association
Firewise USA® has a variety of resources to assist homeowners, program participants, and other wildfire stakeholders as they work to reduce their wildfire risk. Read More

Fire Safe Marin

Website / Interactive Map
Fire Safe Marin
This website provides comprehensive information for residents working to better live with wildland fire. Contains a wide variety of resources, covering everything from goat grazing to fire-resistant coatings. While focused on the residents of Marin County, California, there are resources here for residents across the west. Read More

Effective Communication about Wildfire Management: Observations from 20 Years of Fire Social Science Research

Video
Sarah McCaffrey, USDA Forest Service
Sarah McCaffrey, a Research Forester with the Forest Service out of Fort Collins, CO, is a specialist in wildfire communications and the social aspects of fire management. This webinar on communications in wildfire draws upon her 20 years of experience and research. She offers insights useful to both seasoned fire professionals and those new to... Read More

DisasterSafety.Org: Wildfires

Guide / Pamphlet / Handout
Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety
This resource from the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) provides fact sheets, retrofit guides, tip sheets, graphics and educational videos for those working to reduce their wildfire risk. Specific resources for residents, business owners, and farmers and ranchers are all included. This site is also a great resource for wildfire practitioners working... Read More

Demystifying Insurance for Wildfires Resource Guide

Guide / Pamphlet / Handout
Washington State Fire Adapted Communities Learning Group and Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner
The Demystifying Insurance for Wildfires Resource Guide is a three-page handout and related webinar which helps Washington residents understand the business of insurance and provides tips and resources to help navigate the system.  While focused on Washington State, many of the tools and resources shared are broadly applicable. Read More
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Community Profile
Fire Adaptation in the Field
Deschutes County, Oregon

Collaboration is the way business is done in Deschutes County, Oregon where Project Wildfire and Deschutes County convene partners to create Community Wildfire Protection Plans, foster evacuation preparedness, and facilitate resident mitigation. The FireFree program is a year-round educational program which focuses on ten steps residents can take to reduce fuel and ignition potential near their homes. Community-wide brush disposal opportunities provide area residents with free and convenient access to debris disposal– making mitigation easier for those they serve.