Wildfire Situations — Find Your Situation & What to Do Next

Situations — San Diego County fire-country property owners

Something specific is happening. Find your situation and get straight to what to do next.

Each situation below is written for a property owner with something active happening — a notice in the mailbox, a deal in escrow, a policy lapsing. Start with your situation and go straight to what to do next.

Pre-fire — compliance and preparation

Compliance situations that require action before a fire event. Most have deadlines. All are easier to address early than under pressure.

Situation I just received a CAL FIRE defensible space inspection notice A notice means an inspector is coming — or has already been. Covers what it means, what inspectors look for, and the steps to get into compliance. Read → Situation My property just appeared on the new FHSZ map The 2025 map expansion brought thousands of previously undesignated properties into compliance territory. What your new designation triggers and what to do. Read → Situation I need to comply with Zone 0 by February 2027 and don’t know where to start Zone 0 is California’s five-foot ember-resistant perimeter requirement. What it actually covers, what needs to change, and how to prioritize. Read →

Transaction — buying and selling

Real estate transactions in fire hazard zones involve compliance requirements, inspection timelines, and disclosure obligations that don’t exist in standard transactions.

Situation I’m selling my home and need to get the defensible space inspection done Point-of-sale inspections involve multiple agencies, fees, and a six-month validity window. How to request the right inspection and what to expect. Read → Situation I’m in escrow and the defensible space inspection failed A failed inspection during escrow is not a transaction-ender — but it requires a clear plan. Options, responsibilities, and the written agreement pathway. Read →

Insurance — cancellation, claims, and disputes

California’s fire insurance market is in significant disruption. These situations represent the most common insurance problems facing San Diego fire-country property owners right now.

Situation I just received a non-renewal or cancellation notice You have 75 days. What California law requires your insurer to tell you, your options before the policy lapses, and the sequence to follow. Read → Situation I’ve done mitigation work but my insurer isn’t crediting it One of the most common frustrations in California fire country. How to request your risk score, dispute it, and use the Safer from Wildfires framework. Read → Situation I think my coverage limit is too low to rebuild Studies show 60–75% of wildfire victims are underinsured. How to check your coverage against actual rebuild cost and what to do if it’s inadequate. Read → Situation My insurance claim isn’t covering the cost to rebuild Discovering mid-claim that coverage is insufficient. Your options: extended replacement cost provisions, SBA loans, CDI complaint rights, and when legal help is warranted. Read →

Post-fire — recovery and aftermath

Written for the immediate aftermath — when the priority is clarity about what to do next, not a comprehensive review of everything.

Situation A fire came through my area — what do I do in the immediate aftermath The first 72 hours involve decisions with long-term consequences for your claim, your safety, and your ability to return. The sequence to follow. Read → Situation My insurance claim isn’t covering the cost to rebuild Discovering mid-claim that your coverage is insufficient. Options, dispute rights, and when to involve the CDI or legal counsel. Read →

Cal Wildfire Defense

Before a situation becomes urgent.

Most of the situations on this page are harder to navigate after the fact than before it. A fire-informed assessment identifies where your property stands — on compliance, on structural vulnerability, on the factors that affect your insurance position — before you’re in a time-pressured situation that limits your options.

Book a fire-informed assessment →

Pages in this section provide educational context and general guidance — not legal, insurance, or financial advice. Every situation is different. Always verify current requirements with the applicable agency and consult a licensed professional before making decisions with legal or financial consequences. Last reviewed April 2026.