Kauaʻi County and partner Hawaiʻi Wildfire Management Organization on Aug. 1 launched a new Wildfire Home Assessment Program to help residents reduce wildfire risk and strengthen community resilience.
The county is expanding its efforts to help homeowners better prepare for wildfire by offering free, voluntary assessments that identify practical ways to improve the safety of their homes and yards.
“The more we can do to help residents understand the risks around their homes before an emergency occurs, the better prepared our entire community will be,” said Kauaʻi Fire Chief Michael Gibson in a county release about the new program. “These assessments give homeowners practical, achievable recommendations that can make a real difference in reducing wildfire hazards and increasing the resilience of our neighborhoods.”
The Wildfire Home Assessment Program provides free, voluntary, educational walk-arounds that consider the area immediately surrounding the home, vegetation management, home hardening measures to reduce ember intrusion, property access and evacuation considerations as well as other site-specific wildfire risks.
Following each assessment, participants will receive recommendations tailored to their property to help improve wildfire preparedness.
Most wildfires in Hawaiʻi are caused by human activity, and homes can ignite from wind-blown embers even when they are not directly in the path of the flames. Taking proactive steps before a wildfire occurs can help reduce risk and improve a home’s ability to withstand wildfire conditions.
“Building a safer, more wildfire-ready community takes all of us. Small actions taken today can make a big difference during a future wildfire,” said Hawaiʻi Wildfire Management Organization Co-Executive Director Nani Barretto in the county release. “Through this free, educational walk-around, homeowners can learn more about how wildfire could affect their home and property, talk through practical ways to reduce risk and identify where to begin. It is a supportive learning experience that helps residents become active partners in wildfire preparedness.”
The launch of the Wildfire Home Assessment Program builds upon recent county wildfire preparedness efforts, including the adoption of the county’s Wildland-Urban Interface code and continued collaboration with regional and community partners to strengthen resilience.
Screenshot from video discussing Kauaʻi County’s new Wildfire Home Assessment Program.- Screenshot from video discussing Kauaʻi County’s new Wildfire Home Assessment Program.
- Screenshot from video discussing Kauaʻi County’s new Wildfire Home Assessment Program.
Residents can learn more about the program and schedule a free home assessment by visiting the Kauaʻi Fire Department website or Hawaiʻi Wildfire Management Organization website.
