Safer From Wildfires
The Nation’s First Wildfire
Safety Regulation to Help
Drive Down Cost of Insurance
Poway’s Fire Hazard
• The Very High Fire Hazard Severity
Zone is a science-based hazard
assessment.
• Includes 75% of Poway including
over 4,600 homes.
• Evaluates hazard, not risk and does
not consider mitigation measures.
• Flying embers are the cause of up
to 90% of homes destroyed by
wildfire.
• Science has found that the first
five feet surrounding your home is
the most important defensible
space.
Evolving Science
• Wildfire risk models must take into
account mitigation factors.
• Every action under Safer From
Wildfires will qualify for an
insurance discount. By doing more,
you can save more.
Reduce Risk, Reduce Cost
• Class-A fire rated roof
• Ember- and fire-resistant vents
• Non-combustible materials at base
of exterior walls
• Enclosed eaves
• Double-paned windows
Protect Your Home
• 5-foot ember resistant zone,
including fencing (“Zone 0”)
• Cleared vegetation, weeds, and
debris from under decks
• Removal of combustible sheds and
other outbuildings to at least a
distance of 30 feet
• Defensible space compliant
Protect the Immediate Surroundings
• Neighborhoods can become a
Firewise USA community
• The City of Poway can be certified
as a Fire Risk Reduction
Community
Protect the Whole Community
• Organize it. Have a group of
neighborhood volunteers come
together.
• Plan it. Develop a risk assessment
and an action plan.
• Do it. Document the community’s
efforts each year.
Firewise Communities
• Coordinates subject matter
experts
• Provides support to neighborhood
volunteers
• The Community Wildfire
Protection Plan acts as a guide for
Firewise USA documents
Poway Fire Safe Council
• A Homeowner’s Guide to Defensible Space
• PowayNEC.com
• Insurance.ca.gov
• Firewise.org
• ReadyForWildfire.org
Resources