Community Discussion on Wildfire Insurance Crisis
Following an initial meeting in June that drew significant interest from the public, the Coconino County Board of Supervisors is hosting another working session aimed at addressing the ongoing wildfire crisis. This meeting will take place on Tuesday, September 9th from 2-3 PM at the Coconino County Administrative Building located at 110 E. Cherry Ave. Attendees can also stream the meeting online.
This time, residents will hear directly from insurance experts. Ethan Orman, the Senior Director of Environmental Affairs at the American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA), will share insights on how insurers assess wildfire risks, the methodologies they employ, and what actions communities can take to keep coverage accessible and affordable.
“The rise in homeowner insurance premiums and the cancellation of policies have unsettled our community, putting financial strains on families and businesses alike,” Orman noted.
He further explained that determining wildfire risk is particularly challenging for insurers due to various factors like terrain, vegetation types, wind patterns, drought conditions, and how prepared communities are. Even slight changes in any of these elements can significantly affect how fires behave. Although insurance companies utilize advanced tools—ranging from satellite imagery to predictive models—none of them offer a foolproof solution. Wildfires have been a part of our ecosystem for ages. Thus, implementing “hardening” techniques for homes and bolstering community-wide fire prevention strategies is essential in reducing potential losses.
Coconino County, noted for frequently facing severe wildfire threats, ranks among the top 4% of U.S. counties at risk of such disasters. Alarmingly, nearly half of wildfire-related costs have impacted this local community.
Orman underscored the commitment of the insurance industry to assist communities in both safeguarding their properties and recovering effectively from wildfire incidents. He pointed to Paradise, California—a town that faced near-total devastation from a wildfire in 2018—as a case in point. Communities there have embraced a proactive approach known as the Wildfire Preparation Model created by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS). This strategy includes building homes and businesses with protective standards and maintaining a defensible space around structures.
In addition, IBHS guidelines also focus on minimizing ember risks through proper venting and screening, enhancing overall fire safety.
“Coconino County is dedicated to uniting various stakeholders—homeowners, insurance firms, builders, and government officials—to pursue effective solutions to these challenges,” Horstman stated.
For more details and resources from previous sessions, visit the Coconino County website regarding the wildfire insurance crisis.
