Fires burned forests, dry brush and timber pretty much around-the-clock in 2017, and the year closed with record large fires in Southern California that scorched areas well into 2018.
Jennifer Jones, a spokesperson for the National Interagency Fire Center, said officials no longer talk about “fire seasons anymore instead it’s called fire years”.
In July, people in Redding, California, were sent scrambling for their lives and belongings after the Carr Fire erupted and sent a 100-foot-high “wall of flame” through the city. The fire has already spread to over 207,000 acres, jumped over the Sacramento River, and is 98 percent contained as of Thursday Aug 30th.
In general, homeowners insurance helps pay for damage to your home and personal belongings due to a wildfire. Basic homeowners policies tend to cover you against specific dangers, which includes fire, but the level of protection may differ based on your location and policy.
In some cases, if the area you live in is prone to wildfires, you could find that homeowners insurance policies won’t covers fires or the premium is very high.
If you believe your home is susceptible, you’ll want to be sure that you know if wildfire damage is included in your homeowners insurance policy and if so, how much coverage you have.
Excluded Circumstances
Usually your homeowners insurance policy will protect you against accidental fires, but it won’t protect against any loss if you deliberately put your home ablaze. If a nuclear bomb blows up your home, you will not be covered, as homeowners policies do not insure against nuclear disasters. If a foreign army invades the U.S. and burns your home to the ground, your insurer will not be able to help with coverage. Basically, any act of war that results in a loss, you are out of luck. However, in nearly every other incident, you’re protected.
Since erupting on July 13, the Ferguson Fire has burned over 96,900 acres, which is an area around one-half the size of New York City. The wildfire is close to Yosemite National Park and even closed the park down. As of Aug. 18, the fire is 100 percent contained but took the lives of two brave firefighters, along with 19 injuries and 10 structures were destroyed.
Ranch Fire (Mendocino Complex)
Acreage: 459,102 acres
Containment: 93%
Damage:157 residences destroyed
Holy Fire
Acreage: 23,136 acres
Containment: 93%
Damage:18 structures destroyed
12 Single Family Homes were Destroyed in Orange County
6 Single Homes were Destroyed in Riverside County
Fire began:1:21 p.m. Aug. 7, 2018 in Holy Jim Canyon in Orange County
Valley Fire (San Bernardino County)
Acreage:1,350 acres
Containment:82%
Fire began:1:29 p.m. July 6, 2018
1. mercurynews.com/2018/01/04/report-homeowner-insurance-more-difficult-to-get-after-devastating-wildfires
2. fire.ca.gov/current_incidents/incidentdetails/Index/2175