Key Resources

This guide offers an introduction to the many measures one can take while rebuilding to make buildings and communities more fire resilient. Additionally, there are several organizations and agencies dedicated to the subject matter that have developed in-depth resources and tools to assist property owners in making informed decisions for fire-resilient properties and buildings. Below are some trusted agencies and organizations that provide more detailed information.

A man works on framing a home that is being built. He is standing on top of the structure lining up wood.

California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE)

CAL Fire protects California’s natural resources and responds to emergencies, including wildfires. They are responsible for fire suppression and fuel reduction within privately owned wildlands. Most notably, CAL Fire is responsible for developing the Fire Hazard Severity Zone Maps. The following CAL Fire resources can be helpful references for property owners as they rebuild.

Los Angeles County Forestry Division

The Forestry Division of LA County Fire is responsible for ensuring compliance with brush clearance requirements in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (VHFHSZ) in LA County, through the Defensible Space Inspection Program. The Forestry Division is also responsible for fuel modification plan review. The Fuel Modification Unit reviews landscape plans for structures in the VHFHSZ. Properties not in the VHFHSZ can apply the regulations enforced by the Forestry Division to increase a property’s resiliency to future fires. The following materials are good sources of information.

Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains (RCD)

RCD is a local non-regulatory agency focused on resource conservation and sustainable land management. RCD has developed the following resource on Sustainable Defensible Space, defined as the area 100 feet from a home that helps balance conservation and wildfire resiliency within the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI).

National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA ®) Wildfire Division

The NFPA is a non-profit organization dedicated to preventing the loss of life and property due to fires. The NFPA Wildfire Division provides resources and support to help communities and individuals reduce their risk from wildfire. It administers the Firewise USA® Program. The NFPA Wildfire Division has developed a series of resources trusted by communities nationwide to support fire resiliency.

Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) – Wildfire Prepared

IBHS is an independent nonprofit scientific research and communications organization supported by property insurers, reinsurers, and affiliated companies. IBHS’s building safety research leads to real-world solutions for home and business owners, helping to create more resilient communities. Wildfire Prepared provides step-wise check list and guidance on actions you can take. Depending on your insurance company, documentation and evidence of such practices may support insurance coverage. Depending on your lot size, some practices such as Zone 0 may require coordination with your neighbors.

US Green Building Council (USGBC) California

USGBC California is a non-profit organization “advocating for a sustainable, resilient, and equitable built environment in California.” The USGBC is a trusted source of information that has developed resources and educational tools for building professionals to support their mission. The USGBC has developed a Wildfire Defense Toolkit and offers a matchmaking tool, which can help you connect with building professionals to support you in rebuilding. Recently, the USGBC released its California Wildfire Rebuilding Guide to support current recovery and rebuilding efforts.

American Institute of Architects (AIA) Pasadena & Foothill

The AIA is a professional organization for architects. It provides advocacy and ongoing career development and support. AIA Pasadena & Foothill is a local chapter of the AIA. It has developed several resources in response to the wildfires to assist property owners with the rebuilding and decision-making process.

Theodore Payne Foundation

TPF is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the benefit of native plants. TPF operates a full-service nursery and provides educational resources and programs specific to Southern California. The following resources can assist you in determining your choices for developing wildfire-resilient landscaping.

Other Resources

Resilient Home

Disaster Recovery – Southern California Edison
Guide to Rebuilding – Southern California Edison
Building in the Wildland – Office of State Fire Marshal
Homeowner’s Guide for Flood, Debris, and Erosion Control – LA County Public Works
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – California Residential Mitigation Program
Designing for Natural Hazards Series – US Department of Housing and Urban Development

Incentives

California Energy Efficiency Loans for Homes & Businesses – Go Green Financing
BUILD Incentive Layering – California Energy Commission
Financing Tools & Resources – Southern California Edison

Finding Your Team

Hire Trusted Electrification Contractors | The Switch Is On
Home Energy Rating System Program – HERS – California Energy Commission
Hiring a Contractor – LA County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs
License Search – California Architects Board
Consumer Guide – California Architects Board
Find a Landscape Professional – Calscape

Landscaping and Outdoors

Drought Tolerant Garden Handbook – LA County’s Drought Tolerant Landscaping Guide
California’s Native Plant Society – Calscape
Fire Recovery Guide – California Native Plant Society
Materials and Construction Methods for Exterior Wildfire Exposure (Vegetation Management) – California Building Code

Resources for property owners

This toolkit helps guide you through building, rebuilding, or remodeling healthier, stronger, and more energy-efficient buildings. It provides information on design standards, energy and water efficiency, electric systems, solar power, fire-resistant construction, and available incentives and financing. Many of these decisions are best made early in the design process to save time and money. While created for those affected by the Los Angeles County fires, the guidance is useful for anyone looking to build a more resilient structure. The site follows the building process step by step and includes helpful resources, with a focus on residential construction that can also apply to other building types.

Healthy Building

Whether it’s choosing the layout or siting, materials, HVAC equipment, or appliances, each element plays an important role in ensuring a structure is healthy and comfortable.

Resilient rebuilidng

Make your building more resilient against future fires by considering how embers and small flames could ignite your building. Proactive action to build a resilient building or retrofit an existing building can help to reduce risk from wildfires or building to building fires.

Rebates, discounts and incentives

A round up of rebates, discounts and incentives for energy and water efficiency and fire resilience.

Finding your team

Architects, landscape architects and designers, arborists, builders, energy raters, contractors and subcontractors all play a critical role in the design and construction of a high-performance building.

Materials and equipment

The material and equipment choices you make during construction have a huge impact on the comfort, environmental footprint and energy efficiency of your building.

Landscaping and outdoor space

Outdoor spaces play a significant role in how resilient a structure is to future climate disasters, and how fire and water wise a property is.

Key Resources

Resources to help rebuild resiliently.