Nevada County, Calif. –  Wildfire-Ready Coalition of Nevada County will present a workshop for homeowners on how to assess their homes for wildfire readiness on Sunday, Oct. 4, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., at Seaman’s Lodge in Pioneer Park, Nevada City.

The Wildfire-Ready Home workshop will cover assessing homes for defensible space and home hardening measures that meaningfully reduce a home’s wildfire risk. The program’s checklist is based on the Wildfire Prepared Home program developed by the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) and CAL FIRE defensible space requirements,

“Don’t gamble when it comes to wildfire,” said Jo Ann Fites-Kaufman, president, Wildfire-Ready Coalition. “Studies by fire chiefs and researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, have shown that home hardening and defensible space together can double the number of homes that survive a blaze.

Woman in gardening gloves stands with a rake beside a wheelbarrow and shovel on a rock-covered yard by a house
A homeowner preparing Zone 0. Photo credit: Wildfire-Ready Coalition of Nevada County

Homeowners that meet requirements in the IBHS Wildfire Prepared Home Checklist may qualify for home insurance discounts with various insurers, including California FAIR Plan.

The workshop is taught by wildfire experts. It includes:

  • How wildfires burn.
  • How defensible space and home hardening actions reduce risk of a home being destroyed by wildfire.
  • Practical steps to get started and how to prioritize improvements.
  • How insurance companies use checklists for decisions on insuring homes and discounts given.
  • How to use the checklist to conduct advisory assessments for yourself, neighbors and Firewise Communities.
  • A field workshop at a neighborhood home.

Those wanting to become Wildfire-Ready Home Advisory Assessors on behalf of Wildfire-Ready Coalition will have opportunities for additional training.

Register for the workshop.

Sign up for a Wildfire Ready Home advisory assessment.

Learn more about IBHS Wildfire Prepared Home.

About Wildfire-Ready Coalition
Formed in March 2025, Wildfire-Ready Coalition of Nevada County is a volunteer-driven nonprofit helping residents, businesses, and communities become better prepared for wildfire through education, Firewise Community support, collaboration, and action.