“I know firsthand that these services can work, and my clients' homes were saved because of their defensive effort,” Terry said.

But the protective gel is a last resort. It's not a guarantee and certainly not a substitute for homeowners taking preventative steps to help protect their homes from the dangers of wildfires.

Some homeowners may be reluctant to sign up for wildfire defense service, using rationalizations such as “Wildfire is not an exposure in my area,” “It won't happen to me,” “The fire department will save my house,” and “That's why I have insurance.”

However, wildfires destroy some 5 million acres every year in the U.S. And according to the National Wildlife Federation, current fire seasons are 78 days longer on average than they were just 20 years ago. In addition, the average timespan of an individual fire is 30 days longer than those before 1986.

The reality is that there are not enough resources to protect every home from wildfires, especially in the regions that are more prone to them. Even the most professional and well-trained firefighters lack the resources to protect every home. Instead, they have to conduct triage and determine where to allocate resources. That's why homeowners should take steps to reduce the threat of losing their home to wildfires–or worse, losing their lives and the lives of their family. Here's how, as an agent or broker, you can help your clients mitigate the threat of wildfires.

Steps homeowners can take

Many people purchase a primary or vacation home in wildfire-prone areas because of the natural beauty. It is precisely that rural, rugged beauty that creates risk. Helping to protect the home begins with being well prepared.

Because evacuations occur without much notice, the first step is to encourage your clients to pre-plan. Several firefighting organizations recommend that homeowners take the time before a wildfire begins to make a family evacuation plan–knowing where one will go and how one will get there. If possible, homeowners should have two escape routes out of the home and neighborhood, as well as a plan for pets. When wildfire conditions exist, families in high hazard areas need to be alert. Post the local fire department number near the phone or pre-program it into a cell phone.

Wildfires burn quickly through thick vegetation like trees and brush, creating ember storms, a swirling mass of red-hot, wind-blown embers that can land up to several miles away and find additional fuel–such as wooden shakes on a roof or dead leaves under a deck–to start additional fires.

Homeowners should eliminate the fuel on their properties. For example, removing the brush and cleaning out the leaves from the gutters or under the deck can help.

Contemplating the threat of fire when designing a landscape also can make a real difference in protecting residences. It starts with maintaining an adequately watered defensible space around the house–at least 100 feet of space on level ground and 200 feet on sloped terrain. Defensible space provides room for firefighters to work while extinguishing the flames.

Additionally, homes should have easy access in case firefighters need to get on the property. Long driveways should have turnaround areas suitable for large equipment. Homeowners should make sure all driveways are cleared of flammable vegetation–10 feet on both sides–and free of overhanging obstructions to a height of 15 feet. The house address should be easily visible from the street, so emergency crews can find the fire.

Here are other tips to help homeowners protect their homes from wildfires:

1. Prune shrubs and cut back tree branches, especially within 15 feet of the chimney. Remove dead leaves, dry grass and firewood.
2. Screen all exterior vent openings and under-floor vents with one-quarter inch or smaller non-corrosive metal mesh. This protective measure keeps embers from getting into the attic or the interior of home. Enclose the eaves on the house, because they can trap the heat rising along the siding.
3. Put valuable paper documents in a fire-resistant safe or in an off-premise location.
4. Install smoke detectors and fire extinguishers throughout the home.

Other protective measures

Gilda Terry can tell you, some insurance carriers contract with wildfire defense businesses to help provide a full spectrum of wildfire protection systems which can include emergency fuel mitigation, zone sprinkler system setup, fuel break preparation, and fire-blocking gel application. These firms also provide wildfire education to promote the latest guidelines established by the Federal Firewise Program and similar state programs.

Wildfire defense services are not considered first responders in the event of a wildfire. Instead, they work closely with incident command in support of local, state and federal firefighters. This type of service is free to clients and often enables insurance companies to provide extended replacement cost coverage in which, subject to certain conditions and limitations, the insurance company will pay the reconstruction cost in the event of a covered loss, even if such cost is greater than the amount of coverage for the home.

It's important to note that the first step in protecting a home is to properly assess its value through a professional appraiser. These individuals, who have backgrounds in construction, architecture and design, are knowledgeable about local building costs and calculate the home's replacement cost based on the actual materials and craftsmanship used. They also photograph the home and its features and create a more accurate appraisal that can be used to recreate the home after a devastating loss.

Homeowners need to take proper precautions in preparing and maintaining their residences during wildfire season. A fire department cannot be at every home, so owners need to prepare in order to avoid as much tragedy and loss as possible. Wildfire defense services supplement the local fire agency, and agents and brokers can check with carriers to see which provide this additional, no-cost loss control support to their homeowner clients.

Are you providing wildfire loss prevention advice to your customers? Gilda Terry does, and her La Ca?ada Flintridge clients will be forever grateful.