County of Kaua‘i advances Wildfire Home Assessment Program
LĪHU'E – The County of Kaua‘i, in partnership with the Hawai‘i Wildfire Management Organization, continues to advance a Wildfire Home Assessment Program designed to help residents reduce wildfire risk and strengthen community resilience. The program is scheduled to launch on August 1.
As wildfire risk continues to grow across Hawai‘i, the County is taking a proactive and coordinated approach to preparedness. Earlier this year, the Kaua‘i Fire Department hosted the National Fire Protection Association’s Assessing Structure Ignition Potential from Wildfire training, bringing together approximately 40 participants from multiple County departments, including Fire, the Mayor’s Office, Planning, Elderly Affairs, the Office of Economic Development, Real Property, and community partners.
This intensive training enhanced the County’s understanding of Wildland-Urban Interface fire risk and provided practical tools to assess vulnerabilities at individual homes in grassland, forested, and developed areas. It also equipped personnel with strategies to help residents, property managers, and homeowner associations take meaningful steps to reduce wildfire risk.
“Wildfire preparedness is a shared responsibility, and it starts at home,” said Kaua‘i Fire Department Chief Michael Gibson. “This program reflects a Countywide commitment to providing our community with the knowledge and tools needed to better protect lives, homes, and neighborhoods.”
The upcoming Wildfire Home Assessment Program will offer voluntary, on-site evaluations focused on defensible space and vegetation management, home hardening strategies to reduce ember intrusion, property access and evacuation considerations, and identification of site-specific wildfire risks.
The effort builds upon recent milestones, including adoption of the County’s Wildland-Urban Interface code and ongoing collaboration with regional and community partners.
“Prepared homes and informed communities are key to reducing wildfire impacts,” said Elizabeth Pickett of the Hawai‘i Wildfire Management Organization. “Kaua‘i’s approach demonstrates strong leadership in bringing agencies together to address this growing risk.”
Additional program details, including information on how residents can request assessments, will be announced once the program is finalized.
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