FEMA provides online resources for wildfire survivors

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has gathered online resources for homeowners, business owners and others to recover from last year’s wildfire disaster and protect themselves in the future.

Now available on MauiRecovers.org, the wildfire mitigation information is the first of a six-part series of online resources provided by the FEMA Mitigation Assessment Team to assist with recovery after the one-year anniversary of the wildfire disaster.

An an example of resources includes the Hawaiʻi wildland fire action guide, posted by the Hawaiʻi Wildfire Management Organization. It explains the conditions that contribute to a wildfire and provides readiness strategies for homeowners. Those include wildfire-resilient retrofits, defensible spaces and advise on how to create a wildfire emergency action plan.

Another resource for homeowners is Tips for Firewise Landscaping, also from the Hawaiʻi Wildfire Management Organization. This guide helps with selecting plants for yards that are fire resistant and those that should be avoided because they are fire-prone. The brochure also has tools to help homeowners select non-invasive trees and plants.

Another resource is a guide from FEMA on how homeowners can reduce the risk of wildfires spreading to their properties from direct flame contact, embers or hot gases. The strategies address vulnerabilities at a home’s joints, gaps, vents, and attachments such as decks and fences.

And there’s also the FEMA Homeowner’s Guide to Defensible Space. It provides instructions on creating defensible space, with tips for homes where there is limited space between properties.

This description of defensible space includes the “immediate” space of 0 to 5 feet, which is not covered by the Hawaiʻi wildland fire action guide. But it is best practice to include this zone in the development of a home’s defensible space to improve protection against wildfire damage.

Other resources include the Wildfire Ready Business Guide from the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety. It provides guidance to business owners on preparing for and reducing wildfire damage. The guide includes preparedness plans and resilient retrofits. It is part of the Institute for Business and Home Safety Wildfire Ready series for homes and businesses.

Other resources include:

• Disaster Recovery Building Permit (Maui County of Maui): Instructions on applying for a permit to repair, rebuild or alter a structure damaged by qualifying disaster events.
• Get Support at Resource Centers (Maui Recovers): Comprehensive resource list for in-person support services.
• Hawaiʻi Wildfires Disaster Assistance (US Small Business Administration): Guidance on applying for Small Business Administration Disaster Loans for homeowners, renters, small businesses and nonprofits.
• Homeowner’s Rebuild Resource (Helping Maui): A step-by-step guide to the rebuilding process for homeowners.
• Insurance Fire Claim Information (Hawaiʻi Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs): Guidance and commonly asked questions on filing an insurance claim for property damaged by wildfires.
• Maui Fires Recovery (American Institute of Architects): This guide shares links to architects in Maui, Hawaiʻi, and abroad to assist in recovery. It provides links to helpful websites and resource documents.
• Maui Recovers: Community recovery news updates and a number of support resources for residents and businesses with opportunities to obtain in-person assistance for fire recovery.
• Maui Recovery Assistance (Hawaiʻi County): Resource hub offering assistance for housing, financial relief, employment, business, food, medical and transportation.