A fire-resilient home is designed and maintained to reduce the likelihood of ignition from embers, radiant heat, and direct flame contact during a wildfire. Research from IBHS shows that home survival is largely influenced by how the structure and surrounding property are built and maintained.

Wind-driven embers are the leading cause of home ignitions. Embers can travel miles ahead of a fire front and ignite roofs, vents, gutters, mulch, and vegetation around a home.

Ember-resistant vents are specially designed vents that help prevent embers from entering attics, crawl spaces, and other vulnerable openings. Since attic ignitions are a common cause of home loss, upgrading vents is one of the most cost-effective wildfire-hardening measures.

Yes. A Class A fire-rated roof is considered one of the most important wildfire protection features because roofs are a common location for ember accumulation and ignition.

Noncombustible materials such as stucco, fiber cement, masonry, and metal generally provide greater protection against radiant heat and direct flame exposure than combustible materials.

IBHS recommends a noncombustible five-foot zone immediately around the home and maintenance of defensible space extending at least 30 feet from the structure, with additional vegetation management beyond that where feasible.

Yes. Certain landscaping features, including combustible mulch, dense shrubs, dead vegetation, and tree branches overhanging roofs, can increase the likelihood of ignition. Fire-resilient landscaping focuses on spacing, maintenance, and noncombustible materials near structures.

No. As wildfire activity expands into more communities, resilient building practices can benefit homeowners in a wide range of environments, particularly those near open space, grasslands, or wildland-urban interface areas.

Many insurers increasingly recognize wildfire mitigation efforts. Programs such as IBHS Wildfire Prepared Home provide third-party verification of resilience measures and may help homeowners improve insurability and access available discounts where offered.

No. IBHS emphasizes a systems-based approach. The greatest protection comes from combining multiple measures—including defensible space, ember-resistant vents, roof protection, and fire-resistant construction materials—rather than relying on a single upgrade.

The Wildfire Prepared Home designation is a science-based program developed by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS). It provides homeowners with a roadmap for reducing wildfire risk through proven mitigation actions focused on roofs, building features, and defensible space.