Coconino officials hear IBHS plan to lower wildfire-related home ignition risk; county and fire partners outline next steps

Coconino County supervisors heard a presentation from the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety on wildfire-driven home ignitions and voluntary “Wildfire Prepared” standards, then discussed local steps — data collection, building-code updates and parcel-level outreach — that officials say could improve home survivability and make properties more attractive to insurers.

The presentation was delivered by Michael Newman, general counsel for IBHS, a research nonprofit funded by the property insurance industry. Newman told the Board that ‘‘we are in control of our own risk’’ at the county level, and outlined a set of parcel- and neighborhood-level actions IBHS has tested to reduce home ignition from embers, flames and radiant heat.

IBHS’s work focuses on three ignition mechanisms (embers, flames and radiant heat), Newman said, and research at the institute’s full-scale testing center shows embers — carried by wind — often ignite the small combustibles closest to a house. ‘‘It’s the 5 feet closest to the home that is most important,’’ Newman said, describing that zone as a critical defensible-space area.

Why this matters: county officials and residents say homeowners are seeing nonrenewal notices or steep premium increases. Supervisors said they want practical steps that local government and fire districts can use to lower risks that contribute to the insurance market’s reaction.

Details of IBHS recommendations and the Wildfire Prepared program

Newman described IBHS’s two-tier approach. Wildfire Prepared Home targets ember-resistant actions and retrofits that are typically achievable for existing houses (e.g., ember-resistant vents, minor window/soffit work and clearing the first 5 feet of combustibles). Wildfire Prepared Home Plus includes additional material and construction measures intended for protection against flames and radiant heat and can be easier to achieve in new construction.

Newman explained the voluntary designation process: homeowners apply at wildfireprepared.org, submit exterior photos for initial eligibility, pay an application fee (he said the fee is currently $125), and an inspection company documents compliance. IBHS conducts quality-assurance review and, if requirements are met, issues a designation valid for three years subject to an annual landscape photo review.

He said IBHS is already operational in California, Oregon, New Mexico and Nevada and will expand into additional states when (1) member insurers incorporate the designation into underwriting or rate filings in a state, (2) builders commit to the standard, or (3) a state funds programmatic rollout (New Mexico recently provided a $10,000,000 grant to drive adoption). IBHS defines a successful neighborhood outcome as limiting structure loss to below 10% when a wildfire enters the built environment.

Local context: county, city and fire-district responses

Lucinda Andreani, Flood Control District director, framed the presentations as part of a county series on the ‘‘wildfire insurance crisis’’ and explained staff are collecting examples from other counties (Missoula County, Boulder County, San Diego County) to learn what works. Andreani said county staff intend to continue stakeholder outreach and coordination with the City of Flagstaff, fire districts and state entities.

Paul (identifies himself as representing the Flagstaff fire program and the Arizona Fire Association) described a multi-state WUI (wildland-urban interface) data effort that will pilot in 30–50 communities across seven Western states. The project’s “WUI Data Commons” aims to aggregate parcel- and neighborhood-level mitigation data for use by regulators, insurers and local governments.

Jay Chrislemon, community development staff, said recent subdivisions in the county have included Firewise principles and some homeowners associations require sprinklers for new homes, but most county homes are outside formal subdivisions and would not automatically be covered by subdivision rules. Chrislemon told the board community-development staff are reviewing the 2024 International Code Council suite and considering adopting select IBHS elements where enforceable.

Supervisors and fire chiefs: practical concerns

Supervisors raised questions about cost, equity and uptake. Supervisor Ontiveros noted mitigation can make a home more attractive to insurers but ‘‘does not necessarily mean it’s going to be insured.” He asked whether the IBHS designation functions as a guarantee of market access; Newman replied it is not a guarantee but ‘‘when you can marry science-based risk reduction with verification, that gives confidence to the insurance company.’’

Supervisor Begay said the work must begin at the parcel level and called for a single coordinated voice and clear outreach plan for homeowners. Supervisor Fowler asked about grandfathering and how new codes would affect existing homes; staff said new-code adoption would apply to building permits after the adoption and 180-day grace period, while voluntary retrofit programs and incentives are needed for existing homes.

Operational and funding questions

Newman and local officials acknowledged most costs to meet the Wildfire Prepared Home standard come from defensible-space work (landscaping and removal of combustible materials near the structure). Newman estimated many ember-protection items (for example, ember-resistant venting) can be low-cost, but total retrofit expenses vary widely by home and region.

Participants discussed possible funding models other counties use, including Boulder County’s voter-approved sales-tax funding for mitigation and Missoula’s revolving loan or resilience funds. Lucinda Andreani and staff said a range of delivery mechanisms will likely be required: free or subsidized home assessments, volunteer and contractor services, grants and, where feasible, incentives to bring more homes into compliance.

State-level coordination and regulatory role

Several speakers described coordination with Arizona’s Department of Insurance (DiFi). Newman said IBHS has participated in state-level discussions and that IBHS’s program typically becomes operational in a state after an insurer, builder or the state itself takes action to support it. County staff noted two related state efforts: a DiFi “findings” process that will publish a report and a separate proposed House bill (HB2054) that would create a multi-stakeholder task force to review wildfire insurance and mitigation; both efforts are expected to inform future administrative or legislative steps.

What was decided and next steps

No formal vote or ordinance was taken during the meeting. Key directions and next steps the board and staff identified include: - Continue stakeholder outreach and coordination with City of Flagstaff, fire districts and state regulators. - Participate in WUI Data Commons / parcel assessment pilots by providing local data and home-assessment support. - Community Development will analyze 2024 model building codes and consider adopting enforceable IBHS elements for new construction and permits. - Explore financing and incentive models (grants, revolving funds, partnerships) to assist homeowners with retrofits and defensible-space work.

Ending: what residents should know

Officials reiterated that local governments do not set insurance rates; supervisors said state regulators and private insurers retain rate-setting authority. The county presented mitigation and coordination as the practical tools available locally. Newman and local fire leaders urged homeowners to start with defensible-space work and low-cost ember protections while county staff pursue broader data, code and funding strategies.

Speakers quoted in this article are drawn directly from the meeting record and are identified by full name and role on first reference.