Wildfires are no longer rare, seasonal events—they are a year-round threat that continues to grow in intensity and frequency. For homeowners in wildfire-prone areas, resilience is no longer optional. It’s essential.
That’s why at Allied Disaster Defense, we don’t just focus on prevention—we also educate communities on what it takes to recover after disaster strikes. Recently, our founder OP Almaraz sat down with Brad Sawyer and Robert Clemmons of Marsh & McLennan Agency on the All Things Wildfire podcast to discuss what every homeowner needs to know about wildfire risk, insurance, and recovery.
Wildfires Are Wake-Up Calls
Every major wildfire brings devastation—but also lessons. Too often, those lessons are learned the hard way. As Sawyer and Clemmons shared, the time to act isn’t after a fire—it’s before. Hardening your home, documenting your assets, and understanding your policy are all proactive steps that can make the difference between recovery and ruin.
Home Hardening Musts
Protecting your home from wildfire doesn’t always require massive reconstruction. In fact, many of the most effective strategies are straightforward and cost-effective:
- Ember-resistant vents to prevent fire entry.
- Non-combustible materials on roofs and siding.
- Defensible space that clears away flammable vegetation near the home.
At Allied Disaster Defense, these principles form the backbone of our wildfire prevention services—and they can reduce risk dramatically when implemented correctly.
Insurance Gaps & The Claims Process
One of the biggest takeaways from the conversation? Too many homeowners are unprepared for what their insurance actually covers. Gaps and misconceptions can lead to financial shocks when families are already under stress.
Brad and Robert emphasized three critical steps every homeowner should take before disaster strikes:
- Understand your policy – know exactly what’s covered and what isn’t.
- Document your home contents – photos and videos can accelerate claims.
- Be prepared for delays – missing documentation or unclear policies can reduce your payout.
Resilience Is a Community Effort
Individual preparedness is critical, but resilience expands when neighborhoods work together. Communities that coordinate defensible space, emergency plans, and education initiatives are consistently safer than those that don’t.
At Allied Disaster Defense, we believe in empowering not just homeowners—but entire communities—to become more resilient against wildfire threats.
Listen to the Full Conversation
The insights shared in this episode of All Things Wildfire are invaluable for homeowners, insurers, and community leaders alike.
Click here to listen to the full episode with Brad Sawyer and Robert Clemmons.
Take Action Today
Wildfire resilience starts with small, intentional steps:
- Harden your home.
- Understand your insurance policy.
- Document your belongings.
- Collaborate with your community.
At Allied Disaster Defense, we’re here to guide you through every step of the process—from prevention to preparedness to recovery.
Contact us today to schedule a wildfire risk assessment and protect what matters most.
