Video: Mark Berven and IBHS: Using science to protect buildings from wildfires

Picture this: a single ember, small but dangerous, floating through the air and landing in a vulnerable spot. That’s all it takes to ignite a wildfire. In a new video, Mark Berven, President and COO of Nationwide Property & Casualty, witnesses firsthand how science is taking on this threat at the IBHS Research Center. Watch as IBHS scientist Xareni Sanchez Monroy, Ph.D., demonstrates how wildfire risk can be dramatically reduced—and how homeowners can take simple steps to protect their properties.

Click here to watch the full video.

Sanchez Monroy explains the importance of maintaining at least 5 feet of defensible space around a home – keeping that area free of anything that could easily ignite. It’s a small but powerful adjustment that can mean the difference between safety and devastation.

With wildfires posing an increasing threat, IBHS’ Wildfire Prepared Home program, based on cutting-edge research, offers a uniform standard for homeowners to demonstrate the mitigation actions they’ve taken. These actions aren’t just helpful – they’re essential.  In fact, according to IBHS research, more than 4.8 million U.S. homes are identified as being at high or extreme risk of wildfire, and losses from wildfires have totaled $5.1 billion in the past decade alone. The risk is especially dire in California, where over 2 million homes are at extreme risk.

For more in-depth resources, IBHS provides Wildfire Prepared guides for homes and businesses. These guides are filled with essential steps to help property owners reduce the chances of fire-related damage based on the latest wildfire research. By taking action now, property owners can build wildfire resilience and ensure their home or business is as prepared as possible.

IBHS and Nationwide are committed to reducing wildfire risk and improving building standards. Their research is making a significant impact, but as wildfire threats grow, it’s vital that more property owners adopt these practices. Simple changes, like maintaining defensible space, can save lives, homes, and businesses.

Learn more about IBHS’ Wildfire Prepared program here