Malibu Relaunches Home Fire Safety Assessments

MALIBU, CA — The City of Malibu has restarted its free Home Ignition Zone Assessment Program to help residents harden their homes against flying embers, a major cause of building blazes during wildfires. During wind-driven wildfires, powerful winds can send burning embers traveling for miles. According to experts, more than 50 percent of homes lost during wildfire are caused by these embers, meaning that all homes in Malibu are vulnerable.

A single staff member from the fire department wearing personal protective equipment is available to inspect homes and provide recommendations to make sure they’re as fire resistant as possible.

“Wildfires don’t care about stay-at-home orders, and our next fire is always around the corner, so we need to continue to do everything possible to enhance wildfire preparedness Malibu,” said Mayor Karen Farrer. “I am proud that the City is able to offer this incredibly valuable service for our community members even under these incredibly difficult circumstances.”

Inspections will be conducted by Fire Safety Liaison Jerry Vandermeulen, a former Ventura County Fire Captain certified in “Assessing Structure Ignition Potential from Wildfire” from the National Fire Protection Association. Vandermeulen has conducted over 150 home wildfire assessment for Malibu homeowners since the program began in August 2019. He will offer guidance on home hardening, brush clearance, monitoring wildfires, drafting evacuation plans, and more.