Learn how to protect your new home and loved ones from wildfire danger!
Wildfire in California is a very real possibility, so it’s important to take steps to help prepare your home and property as much as possible. Whether you have a new build, an older home you love, or you’re still in the planning stages, you’ve put countless hours into caring for your home and you’ll want to protect it as much as possible. To help you do that, we’ve put together a list of fire safety resources and suggestions to help you protect your most precious investments: your life, and your loved ones, and your home.
During the planning stage
Do you want to have a wildfire–prepared home? Talk to Trilogy! We build every house according to Wildlife Urban Interface (WUI) building requirements.
If you’d like to apply for an Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) certificate, we can help you with that, too. You’ll automatically get the IBHS “base” plan, and we’ll go over the optional “plus” plan and its costs. Then you’ll have peace of mind knowing you’ve done all you can to create home hardening protections.
Before Move-in
- Get fire insurance. Wildfires are a part of life in Butte County, so make sure your house is insured.
- Make copies of important documents. No matter where you live, you should always have digital copies and extra paper copies to include in your go-bag in case you have to evacuate. This includes your insurance policy, IDs, prescriptions, and anything else you might need.
- Back up your photo memories. Have irreplaceable photographs? Scan and save them.
After Move-in
- Create defensible space. Remove flammable debris from your yard, trim trees, and get rid of dry leaves, grasses, and other combustible landscaping.
- Harden your home. This means using fire-resistant materials for your home and firewise landscaping around it—like replacing wooden decks and fencing with non-combustible materials.
- Do regular maintenance. Get in the habit of doing tasks like pruning, cleaning your gutters, and raking your leaves to maintain your defensible space. Learn about hazardous fuel management to make a difference on your property and in your community!
Important Fire Safety Resources in Butte County
One of the most important things you can do to be ready for wildfires is to familiarize yourself with all the fire safety resources Butte County has to offer. These organizations can assist you and your loved ones before and in the event of an emergency.
- Be Ready, Butte! This community-based initiative helps Butte County prepare for destructive wildfires through awareness, education, and mutual support.
- Fire Hazard Severity Zones. Use this interactive map to see which zone your property is located within.
- Code Red/Alert FM. Butte County residents can register for emergency alerts sent via the FM radio network in a crisis.
- Firewise communities. Learn how to make the area you live in a safer place by joining together with your new neighbors.
- Butte Fire Safe Council. This non-profit community organization helps provide fire mitigation and recovery services to Butte County.
- Butte 211. Butte County residents can dial 2-1-1 anytime to get connected with free community resources.
Get a list of resources ready
Whether you’re building now or in the future, it’s important to keep a list of fire safety resources in Butte County on hand before, during, and after your build. Having fire resources for Paradise, Chico, and the surrounding towns is essential for the safety of everyone in your new neighborhood and our community as a whole.
For more information on how to build a wildfire-prepared home with Trilogy, contact us today!
