The Wildfire Prepared Home program, run by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), is a research-based certification that recognizes homes hardened against wildfire. It has two levels: Base (being renamed Essential), which focuses on ember protection — the leading cause of home ignition — and Plus (Enhanced), which adds protection from direct flames and radiant heat. Earning a designation strengthens your home's wildfire resilience and, with participating insurers, can support premium discounts or coverage.
Most existing homes can reach the Base (Essential) level through retrofits; Plus (Enhanced) is usually pursued during new construction or major exterior renovations. Blaze Blocker completes the required work and guides you through certification.
What is the Wildfire Prepared Home program?
Wildfire Prepared Home is a designation program from IBHS, a building-science research organization. The requirements are grounded in full-scale testing at the IBHS Research Center, where researchers expose real structures to wind-driven embers and flames to learn what actually keeps homes from igniting. A home earns the designation only after an in-person evaluation confirms the required actions are complete. You can read the program's technical standard and the How-To Prepare My Home Checklist for the full requirements.
Base (Essential) vs. Plus (Enhanced)
The program offers two levels. (IBHS is renaming Base to Essential and Plus to Enhanced — the names are changing, but the standards are not.) Because a single weak point can undo everything else, you must complete all required actions for a level to earn that designation.
Targets wind-blown embers, the leading cause of home ignition. Best for most existing homes, homeowners beginning wildfire mitigation, and properties addressing defensible space and key building vulnerabilities. Achievable for most homes through retrofits.
Builds on Base with enhanced protection from direct flames and radiant heat, and stronger defensible space within 30 feet of the home. Best for new construction and major exterior renovations (windows, siding, decks). To earn Plus, you must first meet all Base requirements, then complete the additional Plus requirements.
You can compare the two levels in detail on the program's Base vs. Plus comparison page.
How certification can help your insurance
As wildfire risk reshapes the Colorado insurance market, documented mitigation matters. Wildfire Prepared Home partners with insurers including State Farm, USAA, Farmers, Mercury, CSAA/AAA, PEMCO, and CIG, and a designation can support premium discounts or help you keep coverage where carriers participate. Benefits differ by insurer and by state, so confirm the specifics with your provider — IBHS publishes a resources-by-state page to help you check what applies in Colorado. A third-party designation is also strong, independent proof of the work you have done, which is exactly what underwriters look for.
How to get Wildfire Prepared Home certified
The path is straightforward, and Blaze Blocker handles the hardening work and documentation at each step:
- Choose your level — Base (Essential) for most existing homes, or Plus (Enhanced) for new builds and major renovations.
- Complete the required actions — ember-resistant vents and gutters, a noncombustible 0–5 ft zone and defensible space, and for Plus, upgrades to roofing, siding, and decks.
- Apply through IBHS for an in-person evaluation.
- Receive your designation and submit it to your insurer for review.
Blaze Blocker assesses your home, completes the CWRC-compliant and Wildfire Prepared Home–aligned upgrades, and gives you the documentation you need for both your insurer and your IBHS application. See our full list of services or check your wildfire risk first.
Common Questions
What is the IBHS Wildfire Prepared Home program?
What is the difference between Base (Essential) and Plus (Enhanced)?
Does a Wildfire Prepared Home designation lower insurance premiums?
How do I get my home certified?
Can an existing home qualify, or only new construction?
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