COMMISSIONER'S CORNER

The three-hour educational session covered critical intersections between home construction, community planning, defensible space, and the insurance market: 

• The State of Insurance & Wildfire Risk: Commissioner Jeff Rude opened with insights on how increasing wildfire activity is impacting the Wyoming home insurance market, noting that coverage is becoming harder to find and more expensive as climate-driven catastrophe losses rise.

• Building for Maximum Protection ("The House of the Future"): The panel explored advanced construction standards, including Institute of Business and Home Safety (IBHS) guidelines. Discussions highlighted how building to resilient standards significantly reduces wildfire vulnerability.

• Home Hardening & Retrofitting Existing Homes: Mike Moyer and Evan Molyneaux led sessions on practical steps homeowners can take to improve their "home rating" for fire insurance:

  • Roofing & Gutters: Installing Class A fire-rated roof coverings (e.g., asphalt, metal, tile) and maintaining clean gutters equipped with noncombustible mesh guards.

  • Vents & Openings: Upgrading to flame- and ember-resistant vents (using 1/8-inch metal mesh) to prevent ember intrusion into attics and crawlspaces.

  • Windows & Doors: Utilizing dual-paned windows with tempered glass to resist radiant heat breakage.

  • Siding & Fencing: Replacing vulnerable wood or vinyl siding (at least at the lower foot) and attaching combustible fences with noncombustible metal materials near the home.

• Defensible Space Zones: The presentation emphasized managing vegetation across three distinct zones around properties:

  • Zone 0 (0–5 ft / "Ember-Resistant Zone"): Using hardscapes (gravel, concrete, stone) and removing all combustible materials, firewood, and vegetation directly adjacent to the structure.

  • Zone 1 & 2 (5–30 ft & 30–200 ft): Creating vertical and horizontal spacing between vegetation, removing ladder fuels to keep fire from climbing into trees, and maintaining grass heights under 4 inches.

• Neighborhood & Community Planning: Evan Molyneaux and Mike Moyer discussed how HOAs and neighborhoods can plan for collective fire prevention, utilize the Teton County Wildfire Action Guide, and coordinate evacuation preparedness.

• The Role of Fire Stations: Deputy Fire Chief Raymond Lane and Mike Moyer discussed how community fire stations, standards of cover, and local hydration systems impact insurance ratings and community protection.

Key Takeaways & Future Outlook

• Consumer Empowerment: The core message of the seminar was that wildfire risk at home is manageable through proactive, low-cost DIY measures (such as clearing roof debris and ember-proofing vents) as well as larger investments in home hardening.

Figure 3 -Teton County Wildfire Mitigation Coordinator Bobbi Clauson

• Resources Distributed: Attendees were provided with practical handouts, including the IAFC Ready, Set, Go! Booklet, the Teton County Wildfire Action Guide, and IBHS one-pagers.

• Department Commitment: Highlighting the success of the gathering, Commissioner Rude emphasized that the Department of Insurance looks forward to hosting future educational events to help consumers understand their options and navigate property insurance.

The Wyoming Department of Insurance offers educational presentations on fire risk, coverage options, and key industry regulations. To request a speaker for your business or community group, please reach out directly at 307-777-7401.

Jeff Rude, Wyoming Insurance Commissioner