Home Wildfire Evaluations

Fire and land management agencies cannot help prevent wildfire disasters without homeowner participation. If you live in the wildland/urban interface (WUI), recognize that you, as the homeowner, are responsible for reducing your home’s vulnerability to wildfire. Wildland firefighters will often not protect homes that aren’t firewise and don’t have adequate defensible space, both for safety reasons and because such efforts are unlikely to be successful.

Essential to a successful firewise landscape is a home wildfire evaluation. In order to make changes that will allow your structure to withstand the brunt of a wildfire, without the assistance of firefighters or fire equipment, you begin by gathering information. Several counties and rural fire departments in Idaho conduct home evaluations in high-risk areas. To find out if your county or local fire department provides this service for homeowners, contact your local disaster services coordinator, fire protection coordinator, or fire chief.

You can evaluate your home and outbuildings yourself by using standard guides and forms for home evaluations in Idaho. Standard forms evaluate two main areas of concern for structures in the wildland/urban interface: the ignitability of your home when exposed to radiant heat, convection, or firebrands and embers; and structural hazards, including the location and design of your home and other structures, as well as vegetative fuel hazards and other considerations.