Wildfires Danger Expected to Continue

North America's wildfire season, once confined to spring through fall, has become increasingly unpredictable and wildfires now pose a year-round threat.

In 2024, we've already seen record-breaking fires. The Smokehouse Creek Fire in February became the largest in Texas history, while the Park Fire, which began in July and is still burning, is now California's fourth-largest fire.?

As we transition from El Ni?o to La Ni?a at summer’s end, wildfire risk is expected to increase, with La Ni?a likely bringing drier conditions that create more fuel for fires to burn.?

Preventing and Preparing for Wildfires:??

Preventing and preparing for wildfires involves careful planning and responsible behavior. To prevent fires, avoid making them during dry seasons, monitor and extinguish any flames, dispose of cigarette butts properly, and avoid parking or using spark-producing equipment near flammable materials. To protect yourself and your property from wildfires, clear your property of dead vegetation and maintain safe distances between your home and anything flammable. Have an emergency go-bag ready with essentials, and plan evacuation routes for your family, pets, and valuables. These measures help reduce wildfire risks and ensure you're ready if one threatens your home.

California's Insurance Crisis:

California's homeowners insurance crisis is severely impacting brokers, who are struggling to secure coverage for clients due to rising costs and insurer pullbacks, largely driven by wildfire risks. Many carriers are exiting the market, pushing brokers to rely on the California FAIR Plan and the growing surplus lines market, where transactions have increased by 70% in 2024. With major insurers seeking significant rate hikes, securing coverage has become more time-consuming, leading some clients to abandon home purchases. Proposed regulatory changes aim to alleviate the crisis, but brokers remain skeptical of their effectiveness in providing immediate relief.

Be Ready For Anything With Earthvisionz

Our 2024 Wildfire Guide offers a detailed recap of fire conditions from 2023-2024, explains how the El Ni?o to La Ni?a shift will heighten wildfire danger, and explores its implications for the insurance industry and strategies to protect at-risk properties.