what’s fueling record wildfires in the u.s.?
TRANSCRIPT
© 2015 General Re Corporation
National Inte r a g e n cy Fire Center
www.nifc.gov
w i l d f i r e s
www.ready.gov
U . S . F o r e s t S e r v i c e
www.fs.fed.us
C A L F I R E
www.fire.ca.gov
w i l d f i r e m a p
www.smokeybear.com
National Inte r a g e n cy Fire Center
www.nifc.gov
w i l d f i r e s
www.ready.gov
U . S . F o r e s t S e r v i c e
www.fs.fed.us
C A L F I R E
www.fire.ca.gov
w i l d f i r e m a p
www.smokeybear.com
National Inte r a g e n cy Fire Center
www.nifc.gov
w i l d f i r e s
www.ready.gov
U . S . F o r e s t S e r v i c e
www.fs.fed.us
C A L F I R E
www.fire.ca.gov
w i l d f i r e m a p
www.smokeybear.com
National Inte r a g e n cy Fire Center
www.nifc.gov
w i l d f i r e s
www.ready.gov
U . S . F o r e s t S e r v i c e
www.fs.fed.us
C A L F I R E
www.fire.ca.gov
w i l d f i r e m a p
www.smokeybear.com
National Inte r a g e n cy Fire Center
www.nifc.gov
w i l d f i r e s
www.ready.gov
U . S . F o r e s t S e r v i c e
www.fs.fed.us
C A L F I R E
www.fire.ca.gov
w i l d f i r e m a p
www.smokeybear.com
As wildfires sweep across the western states, what do underwriters need to know?
What’s fueling record wildfires in the U.S.?
What is a wildfire?
Driving factors
What to Look for When Evaluating a Location
Tools and Resources for underwriters
Contact your local Gen Re underwriter
Sources:www.nifc.gov/fireInfo/nfn.htm, January 1 through September 9, 2015www.nps.gov/fire/wildland-fire/learning-center/fire-in-depth/wildfire-causes.cfmwww.readysetgooc.org/be-ember-awarewww.insure.com/home-insurance/costliest-wildfires.htmlwww.droughtmonitor.unl.edu/Home.aspxCorelogic, Wildfire Hazard Risk Report, 2015
An unwanted, unplanned fire that burns in forests, bushes or grass. Depending on the type of vegetation burning, wildfires are also known as forest fires, brush fires and grass fires.
Flying embers can travel up to a mile (or more) from a wildfire and are the leading cause of structural damage and home loss.
$2.6B (in 2013 dollars)
Insured losses from the Oakland Fire in 1991, the most costly wildfire in U.S. history.
Definition:
Wildland-Urban Interface:
Warmer, Dryer Weather Conditions:
Causes of Wildfires: Lightning or Lava
10%
Humans90%
The expansion of human development into or near land prone to wildfire has been dramatic over the past few decades — and the number and dollar value of exposed structures continues to rise.
Construction
Humidity
Fuel Load
Wind
AspectClearance
Defensibility
Slope
Access
is facing “abnormally dry” conditions or worse.
Evaluate the main factors that contribute to a location’s wildfire exposure, such as:
Use ALL available tools when assessing a location’s exposure to wildfire. These tools include: wildfire models and scoring, satellite imagery, maps and inspections.
Remember that a location’s exposure to wildfire can change over time so it is important to continually monitor your book of business.
77% of land in 11 western states
Roughly
1.1M+homes in the U.S. fall into the highest wildfire risk segment, with a total reconstruction value of more than
$268B
Contact your local Gen Re underwriter if you are interested in a wildfire tour or to discuss how facultative reinsurance can help transfer the exposure.
+1 213 630 2490
/in/chrisbeston
@chris_beston
Chris Beston
Nothing can replicate seeing wildfire exposures in person.
At Gen Re many of our own underwriters and clients take part in our tours of some of the more highly-exposed wildfire areas in L.A. County, including Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Pacific Palisades and Malibu.
2015 acresmonths
8,202,557
2014 acresmonths
3,595,613
2013 acresmonths
4,319,546
This margin
is likely to grow for the remainder of
the year.
More acres have burned in the first 8 months of 2015 than
in the entire 2013 and 2014 calendar years
combined.