Paradise, California – As the city of Paradise continues its long-term reconstruction following a deadly camp fire, residents are increasingly focused on returning.
“From the beginning, the goal was to rebuild the city of Paradise as an example,” said homeowner Casey Taylor.
Earlier on Wednesday, Taylor’s house became the first in the country to be dubbed a “wildfire.”
The name is designed to alleviate the risk of wildfires as a result of scientifically proven actions by homeowners in the insurance institute’s business and home security.
To receive a designation, homeowners must meet the requirements under three main categories.
This house in Paradise is the first in the country to be renamed the “Wild Fire House” by the Institute for Business and Home Safety Insurance.
Heather Waldman / KCRAThe first “Class A” has a roof. This level roof is made of explosion-proof material.
The second main category includes a list of materials and stairs that should be used on the roof, including an eighth-inch screen with air vents and clear gases.
The third and most important requirement is to maintain at least 5 feet of space between the house and any combustible materials for the entire room. This includes things like mulch, plants, and wooden fences.
“All of these ideas are things we saw in the lab and after the event,” said Anne Copp, chief engineer at IBHS. He set the house on fire.
Engineers and scientists with IBHS have been researching wildfires for more than a decade, looking for construction methods and materials that are highly resistant to fire damage.
To receive a designation, homeowners must meet the requirements under three main categories
Heather Waldman / KCRAAccording to IBHS CEO Roy Wright, Paradise City was the perfect place to start a wildfire program. The city worked with IBHS during the reconstruction.
As a matter of fact, the City Council is working to add requirements to the city’s new designation for future construction.
Wright himself has family ties to the city.
“My parents and brother live in paradise and have lost their homes on this hill,” he said. “We are really happy to be back in the city,” he said. “We understand the seriousness of these wildfires.
Representatives of the insurance industry praised the wildfire program. He said it will help homeowners get insurance and get that insurance at an affordable price by following standardized fire prevention measures.
Achieving the title takes some investment and some time, but in the end, a homeowner is not affected by wildfires.
“It was worth the effort,” says Taylor.
At Wildfireprepared.org, anyone wishing to receive a wildfire designation can complete the application process.
