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Local pilot hardens Kelseyville homes against wildfire; NCO says 300 households signed on
Summary
North Coast Opportunities and state wildfire officials updated the board on a FEMA‑ and state‑funded home‑hardening pilot in the Kelseyville Riviera, saying 24 homes were completed in the first year and about 300 households are on an interest list. Average retrofit cost reported about $55,000 per home; lower‑income households receive free work.
North Coast Opportunities (NCO) and state wildfire program representatives on June 3 updated the Lake County Board of Supervisors on a federally-backed and state-supported home‑hardening pilot in the Kelseyville Riviera.
The county pilot is funded by state and federal grants and is designed to retrofit a cluster of nearby homes to reduce ember intrusion and slow fire spread. Diana Fernway, NCO program manager, told supervisors the project began construction after an extended program-development period and that 24 homes were completed in the first year. Another cluster of homes is in development and NCO reported roughly 300 households on an interest list in and around the pilot neighborhood.
Why it matters: wildfire risk in Lake County is high and the program focuses on measures — vents, roof and siding upgrades, enclosed eaves and other ember-mitigation work — that contractors and state officials say reduce the chance of ignition from wind-blown embers. NCO said lower‑income homeowners receive work at no cost; higher‑income homeowners may be asked to cost-share (reported commonly as a 10% or 25% co‑pay, depending on the household).
What presenters said: Jay Lopez, a state wildfire mitigation program representative, described the California Wildfire Mitigation Program’s purpose and the effort to develop a state model that other communities can replicate. The state and NCO have drafted minimum quality standards and technical specifications intended to standardize contractor work and to allow homeowners to obtain “Wildfire Per Home” documentation that some insurers may recognize.
Cost and funding: NCO reported an average retrofit cost of about $55,000 per home when defensible-space work is included; the total pilot budget for the county round referenced by presenters was funded by a grant award to the local program. Presenters said the team is applying for additional state and federal funds (including bond monies and further FEMA hazard-mitigation allocations) to expand the program.
Limitations: NCO said some properties cannot be included because of outstanding code violations, historic preservation constraints, or environmental review requirements tied to federal funding. The pilot’s geography is set because FEMA-related environmental and historic‑resource reviews require a defined project area.
Next steps: presenters said they will continue construction and aim to complete about 50 homes in the next year. The team is also compiling technical documentation and homeowner reports that can support insurance discussions and possible premium reductions under state insurance programs.
Ending: supervisors praised the pilot and urged continued funding-seeking and outreach; the board heard public praise for the program from health-system and community representatives.
