With National Wildfire Awareness Month underway, it’s crucial to recognize wildfires are not confined to the West Coast. Recent wildfires in Minnesota, Florida and North Carolina serve as a stark reminder that these destructive events can occur anywhere, impacting communities far beyond traditionally wildfire-prone areas.
According to the National Interagency Fire Center, an above-normal fire potential exists this month in areas such as western Minnesota, the Mid-Atlantic and Florida, emphasizing the widespread nature of wildfire risks. So far this year, more than 25,000 wildfires have been reported – surpassing the 10-year average of just over 18,000 wildfires.
“Wildfires can happen at any time and almost anywhere, causing catastrophic damage to property,” said Sarah Veader, Church Mutual’s assistant vice president – Risk Control. “It’s essential for all communities to be prepared.”
In the event of a wildfire threat, there are three steps you can take to mitigate risk:
- Monitor - Monitor local news and give yourself time to prepare for potential evacuation. Wildfires can spark and spread rapidly. It’s important to establish a plan to evacuate people and valuables if your structure is threatened.
- Prevent - Remove brush and combustible materials such as outdoor furniture and dead or dying tree limbs, clear debris from gutters and cover vents. Create a buffer zone around your building.
- Defend - Consider installing emergency sprinklers to activate if a fire overtakes your structure. Private wildfire suppression trucks can be contracted to clear nearby debris and, if necessary, spray a fire-retardant gel on a building to protect it.
For more information to protect your buildings from wildfire, visit Church Mutual Insurance Company, S.I. (a stock insurer)’s Wildfire Resources page.
