ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA — Today, Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley joined the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) and California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara for a wildfire demonstration to show the effectiveness of science-backed wildfire mitigation actions homeowners can take to protect their property. During the demonstration, OCFA firefighters simulated conditions of a home catching fire with winds going 10 mph.
Caption: OC Supervisor Katrina Foley joins CA Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara for wildfire demonstration (courtesy of the Office of Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley)
“As wildfire seasons continue to escalate each year, I encourage Orange County homeowners to prioritize home hardening to help mitigate wildfire threats to our community,” said Supervisor Foley. “Homeowners can protect their property, qualify for insurance discounts, and stop the spread of wildfires in neighborhoods by making simple improvements to their home, fences, and landscaping. As County Supervisor and OC Fire Authority Director, I remain committed to spreading awareness for home hardening practices to protect Orange County from wildfires.”
Homeowners who take home hardening precautions qualify for insurance discounts. The IBHS and the California Department of Insurance provided the following tips for property-owners to harden their homes:
- Implement a 5 feet perimeter around the home, clear of foliage and landscaping
- Remove foliage and vegetation planted right up against the home
- Replace wooden fences with fire-resistant metal fence
- Avoid using wood chips as mulch or for any other landscaping needs
- Upgrade windows to prevent fire from entering the home
- Install 6 inches of non-combustible materials such as brick, stone, or concrete, on exterior walls to prevent embers from accumulating
- Ensuring the home has a Class-A fire rated roof
- Maintain 30 feet of distance between the home and outbuildings, including sheds, gazebos, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), dog houses, and playhouses
- Install ember and fire-resistant vents
To learn more or access resources, homeowners may visit ocfa.org/RSG and the California Department of Insurance website.
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Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley was elected to the Board of Supervisors in 2022 to represent the newly established District 5, which includes the cities of Aliso Viejo, Costa Mesa, Dana Point, a large portion of Irvine, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Newport Beach, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, as well as the unincorporated areas of Coto de Caza, Emerald Bay, Ladera Ranch, Las Flores, Rancho Mission Viejo, Stonecliffe and Wagon Wheel. This is her second term on the Board of Supervisors, where she previously served District 2.
Supervisor Foley’s Board appointments include the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA), OCFA Legislation & Public Affairs Committee Chair, Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), Transportation Corridor Agency (TCA), TCA Joint Environmental Committee, Coastal Greenbelt Authority, Newport Bay and South Orange County Watershed Executive Committees, Ocean Institute, San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) Community Engagement Panel, Spent Fuel Solutions Coalition Co-Chair, Law Library Board of Trustees, Orange County Housing Finance Trust Chair, Local Agency Formation Commission (alt), Orange County Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council, and OC Public Libraries Advisory Board.
