Socorro, N.M. — The New Mexico Office of the Superintendent of Insurance (OSI) partnered with the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) and the State Fire Marshalls Dept. on October 7 to demonstrate how wildfire mitigation can affect a home’s vulnerability to fire.

The demonstration compared model homes with different levels of wildfire preparation, showing how conditions around a home and features of the home itself can influence its risk of ignition. OSI staff from the Consumer Services Division and the Property and Casualty Bureau took part in the event.

Wildfires can threaten homes through wind-blown embers, radiant heat and direct flame contact. Embers can travel ahead of a fire and ignite vulnerable areas around a home, including dry vegetation, debris-filled gutters, combustible materials near exterior walls and openings that allow embers inside.

“Preparing a home and the area around it can help reduce wildfire risk,” said Superintendent Kane. “This demonstration gave homeowners and community partners a practical look at mitigation measures they can consider before wildfire conditions arise.”

OSI encourages homeowners to review the IBHS Wildfire Prepared Home: How-To Prepare Checklist. The guide describes two levels of protection and includes steps such as maintaining a noncombustible area within five feet of the home, keeping roofs and gutters clear of debris, managing vegetation, and addressing vulnerable vents and other building features.

Homeowners can review the Wildfire Prepared Home checklist and learn about the designation process through IBHS at wildfireprepared.org. OSI also offers the promo code NMGRANT, which may reduce the IBHS application fee. Visit OSI’s Homeowners Insurance page for details on the program and how to use the code.

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The demonstration was conducted in partnership with IBHS, an independent, nonprofit scientific research organization funded by the property insurance industry. IBHS works to help make homes and businesses more resilient to severe weather and natural disasters.

New Mexico Officials Demonstrate How Home Wildfire Mitigation Can Reduce Ignition Risk