Travis Sommerfeld, Adam Norman and Erik Fritzberg | J.S. Held Introduction As wildfires increase in frequency and severity, the construction industry is turning to advanced fire-resistant building techniques and materials to create “fire-hardened” homes that can withstand extreme heat, direct flames, and wind-driven embers. While California’s Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) codes (CBC Chapter 7A) set minimum… Continue reading Fire-Hardened Residential Construction: Good Practices and Emerging Technologies for Wildfire Resilience
Tag: Wildfires
Understanding the Resilience and Recovery of Wildfire Survivors
John E. Putnam | IRMI Post-wildfire destruction visuals show only the tip of the iceberg. The hidden image is the many residents who have lost everything and are now faced with the daunting task of rebuilding not only their physical properties but also their emotional health after such a devastating event. Generally, insurance agents and… Continue reading Understanding the Resilience and Recovery of Wildfire Survivors
Hawaii Supreme Court Paves the Way for Maui Fire Settlement to Proceed
Tred R. Eyerly | Insurance Law Hawaii The settlement reached in the Maui fire cases appears to be a step closer to becoming a reality after the Hawaii Supreme Court issued its Order answering three reserved questions posed by the circuit court. In the Matter of the Petition for the Coordination of Maui Fire Cases,… Continue reading Hawaii Supreme Court Paves the Way for Maui Fire Settlement to Proceed
Wildfires and Property Insurance: Navigating a Shifting Landscape
Cameron Zangenehzadeh, Nathan Davis and Seth Row | Ahead of Schedule As wildfires grow more frequent and severe across California, Oregon, and Washington, homeowners and businesses face mounting challenges in securing and maintaining property insurance. The Los Angeles wildfires alone have resulted in tragic losses—28 lives, thousands of homes destroyed, and billions in economic damage.… Continue reading Wildfires and Property Insurance: Navigating a Shifting Landscape
With Wildfires at a Peak, “Firetech” Is Joining Smart City Lineups
James P. Bobotek | Gravel2Gavel The threat of extreme wildfires has doubled in the past 20 years, with almost 20,000 fires blazing across the United States in 2024 alone. These high-intensity fires can be deadly, expensive, and create lingering health and environmental consequences. While we are used to seeing firefighters on the frontlines, researchers hope that next-generation… Continue reading With Wildfires at a Peak, “Firetech” Is Joining Smart City Lineups