Wildfires are Happening More Often. Here’s How to Prepare Your Church
Wildfires are becoming more frequent and affecting more areas. According to data from the World Resources Institute,
research shows that between 2001 and 2023, the areas burned by forest fires increased roughly 5.4% each year.
While typically associated with arid climate locations, like the deserts of the American West,
wildfires are now affecting larger swaths of the country, with the Southeast recently experiencing several damaging fires.
These occurrences can be devastating to life and property. Churches, like any man-made structure, are vulnerable to fire risk. While you may not be able to stop the fire itself,
you can take steps to make sure your church property is protected. Here’s how to assess your church’s fire risk, create a preparedness plan, and ensure you and your congregants are ready in the event of a wildfire.
Assess Your Church’s Risk
Wildfires can happen just about anywhere. Every church should assess its susceptibility to fire damage and use that information to develop a mitigation plan.
Some areas are more likely to experience wildfires due to dry conditions, dense vegetation, and high winds that spread flames.
Those factors should influence your church’s decision on things like landscaping, fire response, and building materials used in updates.
Many churches use buildings that are decades or even hundreds of years old. These spaces are beautiful but were built before fire-resistant materials were common in construction.
As updates or changes are made, it’s critical to determine what kind of materials your church can use to mitigate fire damage.
Trees and other landscaping should also be assessed. Depending on their location, shrubbery,
and other plants can be fuel that spreads fire to other parts of your facilities.
Things You Can Do to Mitigate Damage
Implementing measures to slow fire’s spread is one of the best things you can do to prepare your church in the event of a wildfire.
From the way your landscaping is designed to communication plans, here are things your church can keep in mind.
Create a Defensible Space
A defensible space creates room for firefighters to access your facility and also slows the fire’s spread.
Defensible space is about a 30-foot radius clear of trees, shrubs, and debris.
Your church’s grass should also be maintained and mowed regularly to avoid drying out and becoming fuel for quickly spreading flames.
Community Preparedness
It’s typical for churches to serve as a place of hope, refuge, and support during a disaster like wildfire. Being connected with local decision-makers and
emergency service providers, like the police, officials, and others, can help your church serve as an important conduit of information.
Within your congregation, create an effective form of communication to relay information to congregants.
Access and Evacuation
Clear points of entry and exit are necessary to ensure first responders can access your buildings in the event of an emergency.
And if you need to evacuate while the building is occupied, you’ll want to have clearly marked exits that are accessible for all congregants,
including those with mobility challenges.
Your staff and volunteers should hold regular fire drills, so they know the procedure of where to go and who to notify in the event of an emergency.
Use those drills as an opportunity to test your fire detection equipment, like smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and sprinkler systems.
And take time to check your first aid kits and other medical equipment to ensure it’s up to date.
Ensure Your Church is Covered
Your church’s insurance policy is one of the best forms of protection against wildfires.
It’s important to understand the coverage and limits provided by your policy, and how to file a claim if your church is damaged.
Our job is to protect your church and we’re always here to help. If you have questions about your coverage, reach out to our team and we’ll be there to support you.
