Wildfire safety concerns many communities across the United States, particularly in states like Montana, which are prone to frequent and severe wildfires.
Montana's ecosystem is unique because it is fire-dependent; natural fuels in the area need fire to survive, as Mother Nature relies on burning to maintain a healthy landscape. This natural tendency to burn is exacerbated by ongoing drought in the western states, increased temperatures, and frequent lightning strikes, all occurring amidst abundant natural fuels, making the region ripe for wildfires.
This story is about how Vault Insurance partnered with a Montana ski community to assess their wildfire preparedness and offer tailored protection. By providing customized plans and expert advice, Vault safeguarded the homes in this exclusive enclave and instilled a sense of security among its members.
Deserie Thigpen, VP, Senior Zonal Manager at Vault Insurance and a wildfire subject matter expert, offers insights into the solutions that have greatly enhanced wildfire safety in this area.
Related: How to Prepare for a Wildfire: Risk Mitigation
The Wildfire Challenge
While Montana is known for its beautiful landscapes, the state’s annual wildfire risks threaten its natural environment and communities. The increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires have led many insurers to withdraw from providing coverage in high-risk regions, leaving communities vulnerable and underserved.
Deserie Thigpen recounted how the Montana community sought to improve its wildfire risk rating after its members had difficulty obtaining insurance:
"We recognized the specific challenges this community faced. We knew they needed a partner who understood the complexities of wildfire risks and could offer effective ways to mitigate them.”
Vault Insurance Steps In
The community had implemented various mitigation measures but needed validation and expert advice to ensure comprehensive protection. The land trust that oversees the community invited Ms. Thigpen to visit and assess its mitigation efforts firsthand. This invitation was extended with the hope that Vault would be comfortable insuring the area after Ms. Thigpen’s evaluation and that she could provide expert guidance to further the community's initiatives.
This enclave faced complex wildfire risks in a remote, mountainous region. Dense forests of pine trees and other native vegetation, which served as potential fuel for wildfires, surrounded the area. The homes, often secondary residences for affluent members, were scattered across rugged terrain, making access challenging and potentially delaying response times from external firefighting resources. Some homes had wood shake roofs, which also posed a significant risk. These factors necessitated robust, locally implemented mitigation strategies to protect the residents and their properties.
Ms. Thigpen acknowledged the land trust’s proactive stance in improving the community's insurability.
"They already made commendable progress building a local fire station and installing AI-assisted fire detection cameras. Their mitigation plan was excellent, detailing what needed to be addressed and how they planned to continue mitigating risks in the future."
Vault’s Approach
Initial Assessment
Ms. Thigpen’s detailed assessment focused on individual properties and the broader area. This included analyzing emergency response capabilities, vegetation management practices, fuel mitigation efforts, defensible spaces, and structural hardening measures.
The assessment identified vulnerabilities and areas where existing measures could be strengthened with insights from the community's fire department and mitigation plans.
Implementation of Risk Mitigation Strategies
Leveraging the land trust’s existing efforts, Vault introduced additional measures to enhance safety and preparedness. These measures included improving the defensible space around homes, upgrading any remaining wood shake roofs to fire-resistant materials, and ensuring that all homes had ember-resistant vents and non-combustible zones around the structures.
- The community built its own fire department, solving the response time concerns and ensuring quicker firefighting capabilities.
- Vault validated the existing installation of AI-assisted fire detection cameras and the community's ongoing participation in the Firewise program to bolster their wildfire defenses.
- Other existing measures included specialized fire truck equipment that allowed the fire department to maneuver challenging terrain effectively and a security patrol system to monitor often-vacant secondary homes.
- The land trust actively managed tree mortality in the forest by removing dead trees to reduce fuel loads.
- Beyond wildfire risks, measures were implemented to protect against other hazards, such as installing automatic water shutoffs to prevent water leaks and frozen pipes in vacant homes.
Customized Protection Plans
Vault developed tailored insurance policies that addressed the area’s specific risks and included provisions for additional resources and support in the event of a wildfire.
Ms. Thigpen noted:
"By working closely with the community and leveraging their existing mitigation efforts, we introduced additional layers of protection that significantly enhance their resilience against wildfires."
Ongoing Support and Collaboration
Vault established a long-term partnership with the community to ensure continuous implementation of wildfire safety measures, offering regular reviews and updates to the protection plans as needed.
Vault provided resources for ongoing training and preparedness drills, ensuring continued vigilance and readiness to respond to potential wildfire threats.
Ms. Thigpen stated:
"Our approach at Vault was about building a strong relationship with the community to develop customized solutions that addressed their specific needs and ensured their safety and peace of mind."
Related: How to Prepare for a Wildfire: Risk Mitigation
Looking Ahead to a Future of Resilience and Safety
The collaboration between Vault and the Montana community yielded significant improvements in wildfire safety and resilience and improved the area’s insurability. These efforts set a benchmark for other high-risk areas.
Vault’s willingness to work with this community after other insurers turned them away demonstrated that even high-risk areas can achieve safety standards that meet stringent insurance requirements.
Ms. Thigpen summarizes it well:
"This community's dedication to safety and preparedness is truly inspiring. By working together, we have created a safer environment that can withstand the challenges of wildfire risks. Our journey doesn't end here; we will continue to innovate and support other communities to ensure their safety."
If you live in a wildfire-prone area, take proactive steps to assess and mitigate risks around your home. Engage with local fire departments, participate in safety programs, and invest in fire-resistant materials and technologies. Your efforts can make a significant difference in protecting your property and ensuring the safety of your community.
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The Vault Difference
At Vault, we recognize that effective risk management involves more than just insuring your assets; it requires a holistic approach to minimize all potential risks. Our comprehensive risk management services are designed to protect the life you've built. Request a quote and experience the Vault difference today.
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