County of Kaua‘i launches Wildfire Home Assessment Program
LĪHU'E – The County of Kauaʻi, in partnership with the Hawaiʻi Wildfire Management Organization, is launching its new Wildfire Home Assessment Program tomorrow, August 1, to help residents reduce wildfire risk and strengthen community resilience.
Most wildfires in Hawaiʻi are caused by human activity, and homes can ignite from wind-blown embers even when they are not directly in the path of the flames. Taking proactive steps before a wildfire occurs can help reduce risk and improve a home’s ability to withstand wildfire conditions.
As wildfire risk continues to grow across Hawaiʻi, the County is expanding its efforts to help homeowners better prepare for wildfire by offering free, voluntary assessments that identify practical ways to improve the safety of their homes and yards.
"The more we can do to help residents understand the risks around their homes before an emergency occurs, the better prepared our entire community will be," said Kauaʻi Fire Department Chief Michael Gibson. "These assessments give homeowners practical, achievable recommendations that can make a real difference in reducing wildfire hazards and increasing the resilience of our neighborhoods."
“Building a safer, more wildfire-ready community takes all of us. Small actions taken today can make a big difference during a future wildfire,” said Nani Barretto, Co-Executive Director of the Hawaiʻi Wildfire Management Organization. “Through this free, educational walk-around, homeowners can learn more about how wildfire could affect their home and property, talk through practical ways to reduce risk, and identify where to begin. It is a supportive learning experience that helps residents become active partners in wildfire preparedness.”
The Wildfire Home Assessment Program provides free, voluntary, educational walk-arounds that consider the area immediately surrounding the home, vegetation management, home hardening measures to reduce ember intrusion, property access and evacuation considerations, and other site-specific wildfire risks. Following each assessment, participants will receive recommendations tailored to their property to help improve wildfire preparedness.
The program is supported by County personnel who completed the National Fire Protection Association's Assessing Structure Ignition Potential from Wildfire training earlier this year. Hosted by the Kauaʻi Fire Department, the training brought 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.
The intensive training enhanced the County's understanding of Wildland-Urban Interface fire risk and equipped personnel with practical tools to assess vulnerabilities at homes located in grassland, forested, and developed areas. It also provided strategies to help residents, property managers, and homeowner associations take meaningful steps to reduce wildfire risk.
The launch of the Wildfire Home Assessment Program builds upon recent County wildfire preparedness efforts, including the adoption of the County's Wildland-Urban Interface code and continued collaboration with regional and community partners to strengthen community resilience.
Residents can learn more about the program and schedule a free home assessment by visiting the Kauaʻi Fire Department’s website at www.kauai.gov/fire and selecting the Prevention Bureau tab, or by visiting HWMO at www.hwmo.org/home-assessments.
To learn more about this program, please watch our Wildfire Home Assessment video.
If you need an ASL Interpreter, materials in an alternate format, or other auxiliary aid support, or an interpreter for a language other than English, please contact the Kaua‘i Fire Department Prevention Bureau at 808-241-4985 or kfdpreventionbureau@kauai.gov as soon as possible. Requests made as early as possible will allow adequate time to fulfill your request. Upon request, this notice is available in alternate formats such as large print, Braille, or electronic copy
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