For the past several years, wildfires have devastated major portions of the country. The risk of wildfire continues to grow by all accounts as large parts of the country are in severe or worsening drought conditions, dramatically increasing the potential for wildfires. With the increasing risk of wildfires and the extensive damage they cause, the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) is developing a program to help property owners take actions that will reduce a property's exposure to wildfire risk.

The program is called Wildfire Prepared Home, and it focuses on the most effective ways to build resilience in the face of wildfires. Homeowners who take these steps will be able to show that their property is more resistant to wildfires than unmitigated or partially mitigated properties.

There are two different designations, and they are designed for single-family homes of three stories or less in California. The designations are Wildfire Prepared Home™ and Wildfire Prepared Home Plus™. As the program grows and develops eligibility may be extended to other types of structures and other locations. In order to establish better protection against wildfires, the criteria for the designation are deliberately strict. Because of vegetation, terrain, and other factors that may change over time, certain features will require a maintenance element in order for a homeowner to maintain the designation.