Newsletter

The California JPIA Reflects on 3 Years of Partnership with Fireline Defense

To mitigate wildfire threats, the California JPIA has partnered with Fireline Defense, LLC, to conduct wildfire risk assessments for member agencies. These assessments have located wildfire exposures and paved the way for targeted mitigation measures.

“We started analyzing wildfire risk more holistically after the Thomas Fire hit Ventura County in 2017,” said Senior Risk Manager Tim Karcz. “Once wildfires began encroaching upon our members’ properties, we realized this is an issue we needed to wrap our heads around.”

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Fireline Defense was established in 2020 by former CAL FIRE firefighters. Within their professional property assessments, they identify specific wildfire hazards and calculate a custom Fireline Defense Index (FDI) score. This score ranges from one to ten, with a lower score indicating high risk and a higher score indicating comparatively lower wildfire risk. Each assessment is accompanied by a specific series of recommendations for risk reduction; once these recommendations are implemented, the Fireline Defense team reevaluates the property and its FDI rating.

The California JPIA began working with Fireline Defense in 2021, selecting 19 members with properties deemed to have a high level of wildfire risk (quantified by a CoreLogic risk rating of 80 and above). After completing this initial round of assessments, the Authority has expanded the program to include evaluations of properties with a CoreLogic risk rating of 60 and above.

In fiscal year 2022–23, the Fireline Defense team visited 23 California JPIA members, assessing wildfire risks at 114 structures. These evaluations produced a wealth of information, including 781 specific recommendations aimed at mitigating wildfire hazards.

The most common recommendations were issued in defensible space, structure defense, and significant risk. Defensible space recommendations took the lead, composing more than 50 percent of the recommendations. The most common category notes included the removal of dead vegetation, the use of non-combustible landscape materials, and the reduction of heavy fuel loads around structures. The Fireline Defense team noted the importance of consistently monitoring defensible space: “After all, even after initial mitigation efforts are completed, vegetation grows back,” observed Karcz.

Fireline Defense also produced 295 recommendations related to structure defense. The most issued included the use of non-combustible building materials, double-pane window glass, and fire-resistive siding.

The third most common category, significant risk, encapsulated geography-related conditions not limited to a specific property. Unfortunately, considerable risk mitigation is difficult to achieve; however, improving defensible space, structure resiliency, and community education are still essential measures that should be taken considering considerable risk factors.

“One thing that surprised me was the sheer number of member properties that should be assessed for fire risk,” said Karcz. “The Authority’s partnership with Fireline Defense has exceeded our expectations.”

Following members’ consideration of the recommendations, Fireline Defense stands ready to conduct follow-up risk assessments, providing updated scores and descriptions to share with property insurers. As the recommendations are implemented, the Authority will pursue improved insurance coverage terms and conditions for its members.

“Getting the information and the action items for managing wildfire risk into the hands of our members is critical, and we’re proud to provide our members with this high level of insight and expertise,” said Karcz.

Vigilant monitoring of defensible space recommendations will play a pivotal role in fortifying California communities against the escalating threat of wildfires. For further details or inquiries, members are encouraged to contact California JPIA program experts Tony Leite and Tim Karcz.

Additional Resources:

California JPIA’s Wildfire Risk Management White Paper: In-depth analysis of wildfire-related risks

Cal/OSHA’s Regulation for Protecting Workers from Wildfire Smoke: CCR Title 8, Section 5141.1

California Office of Emergency Services Wildfire Recovery Resources: State-wide wildfire resources

Cal Fire’s Defensible Space Guidelines: Detailed information on managing your defensible space

Ready for Wildfire: Cal Fire’s wildfire resource website

Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA): Wildfire emergency planning resources

Cal/Fire’s Active Incident Archive: Up-to-date information on all statewide active incidents

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