Wildfires are a persistent and growing threat across the American West and Southwest. According to data from CoreLogic’s 2025 Wildfire Risk Report, these states include: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah and Washington, with California, Arizona, New Mexico, Oregon and Washington ranking among the most wildfire-prone in the nation. Wildfires are a significant concern in these states due to their dry climates, dense vegetation, powerlines and frequent lightning strikes, a combustible combination that can easily ignite wildfires.
Many Native American tribes reside in high-risk regions, on lands that have faced fire for millennia. Recent events like the Palisades Fires have emphasized just how vulnerable remote Native American communities are to the devastating impacts of wildfires. In response, there has been a renewed commitment to proactive wildfire mitigation.
Given the unique challenges faced by tribal lands often located in isolated, remote and hard-to-reach areas, it is crucial to continually focus on effective strategies and tactics for reducing wildfire risk in these communities. By working together with tribal clients, you can be part of protecting the land, people and traditions that are deeply rooted in these regions.
Wildfire resilience begins with shared knowledge: Proactive underwriting strategies for Native American tribal communities
When working with tribal clients in wildfire-prone regions, it is important to draw upon both standard risk assessment measures and cultural context and practices. Consider the following proactive measures and questions for tribal clients:
- Vegetation management: Are there dead or dying trees near properties? What removal protocols are in place?
- Building materials: Do structures have fire-resistive roofs (Class “C” or higher)?
- Are spark arrestors installed on wood-stove flues and fireplace chimney openings?
- Fuel storage: How far are fuel tanks from any structures?
- Utilities: Are power and fuel lines above or below ground, and how close are they to buildings and vegetation?
- Water access: Are there accessible water sources (tanks, lakes, rivers) or nearby fire stations?
- Defensible space: Is there a clear area (30–50 feet) around buildings free of combustible materials?
- Construction practices: Are new buildings using fire-resistive materials and ember-resistant features
RELATED: Wildfire safety tips for businesses – Arrowhead General Insurance
Designing for defense: Wildfire mitigation tips for new construction
When planning new construction in a wildfire-prone area under an existing policy, consider recommending these proactive fire controls to help insureds reduce risk and safeguard their property:
- Fire resistive and durable materials
- Fire resistive metal or asphalt shingles on the roof
- Install covered gutters with ember-resistant screens to prevent leaves or other flammables from accumulating
- Eliminating combustible materials within 30-50 feet away from buildings or homes.
- Keep any fire-prone material such as firewood stacks, combustible furniture, vegetation etc. away from the structure
RELATED: Wildfire mitigation starts with a plan – Arrowhead General Insurance
Two types of wildfires: Different risks. Different behaviors.
When considering wildfire mitigation practices, it is helpful to know wildfires can be classified into two types: forest/woodland fires and brush/grassland fires. Understanding both types enables more accurate risk assessment, allows for tailored underwriting and mitigation guidance and supports the development ofappropriate coverage in wildfire-prone areas.
Forest/woodland fires burn among the trees and can be divided into four categories:
- Surface fires: Involve ground litter and low shrubs.
- Dependent crown fires: Occur when surface fires rise through the tree sap to the crown, drawing wind from the rising heat.
- Active crown fires: Burn through both the surface and aerial layers simultaneously.
- Running crown fires: Spread along the treetops via the wind, causing spot fires ahead of the main fire front.
Brush/grass fires burn faster than surface forest fires because they are exposed to the full force of the wind. The flames can rise to five times the height of the shrubs/grass.
Wildland fire exposure can be reduced by establishing a defensible space around the site, mitigation techniques constructing a building envelope that offers complete protection against embers, flames and heat. When assessing and trying to mitigate wildfire exposures, it is important to consider several key factors:
- Surrounding vegetation
- Water supply
- Emergency response
- Environmental regulations that might impact the ability to clear land
- The topography of the area
- Building design
- Building construction type
- Yard storage
- Early detection by utilizing advanced technologies
RELATED: Wildfire risks are growing. Here’s how they start – Arrowhead
Your commitment to wildfire resilience
Embracing wildfire mitigation strategies is a commitment to the well-being and resilience of tribal communities. Prioritizing these practices demonstrates your dedication to protecting both people and cultural heritage, fostering trust and long-term relationships with your tribal clients. Preparedness plays a critical role in highlighting the importance of emergency planning, infrastructure resilience and coordination with your tribal communities. It is also beneficial in ensuring that, in the event of a disaster, your communities, facilities and enterprises remain strong.
RESOURCES:
Wildfire Ready Business – Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety
These Smart Cameras Spot Wildfires Before They Spread – WSJ
The Link Between Power Lines and Wildfires | WFCA
Indigenous Leadership in Wildfire Mitigation: A Path Forward – forests.org
Indian Affairs (Bureau of Indian Affairs)
Wildfires in the United States during 2025 – Wikipedia
Indigenous Fire Practices Shape our Land – Fire (U.S. National Park Service)
Wildfires and Forest Management | The Nature Conservancy in Idaho
The power of insurance incentives to promote Fire Adapted Communities – International Association of Wildland Fire
This material has been prepared for general informational purposes only, is intended to apply generally rather than to any specific company and presumes appropriate discretion will be exercised regarding any particular situation.
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