According to the Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization (HWMO), in Lahaina and around the state, there are hundreds of homes in what is known as the urban/wildfire interface.

This means they are particularly at risk to wildfires.

Last year, wildland fires burned more than 19,000 acres in two large fires: one on Maui, and the other on Hawaii Island.

Nani Barretto, co-executive director of the Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization, said, “Numerous neighborhoods, including Waikoloa Village, Lahaina and Launiupoko, were threatened. We know there are literally hundreds of homes around the state that could benefit from a risk assessment.”

Enter Mike Schorr, one of 14 trained home fire risk assessors, currently working on four islands: Hawaii Island, Maui, Molokai and Oahu.

Last fall, Schorr and other volunteers took training to assess the vulnerability to wildfire or ember-ignition to a house or surrounding landscape.

One recent morning, Schorr and representatives from the Hawaii County Fire Department (HFD) showed up at Cherrie Carse’s ranch-style home on the Big Island to walk around the house and yard to conduct a free wildfire home assessment.

“Really, what we’re looking for is anything that might be combustible. A flame can reach two-and-a-half times the height of whatever it is that might be burning below it. So that means if you had a plant that was so high, you can expect that flame to be another two-and-a-half times higher, and that would put the structure at risk,” Schorr explained.

Homeowners receive fire-ready information, and within a few weeks, a complete assessment report. Homeowners are under no obligation to institute any of the improvements.

HWMO will analyze any barriers to completion a homeowner might encounter and determine if there are incentive programs available to enhance ignition-resisting improvements.

First preference for home assessments is given to homeowners living in nationally recognized Firewise USA communities, followed by those in up-and-coming Firewise areas, followed by those living around a Firewise community.

Maui’s Firewise communities are Launiupoko, Waiohuli and Kahikinui, all established in 2016.

The program is funded by grants and will continue as long as funding is available.

To request a free home assessment, go to https://www.hawaiiwildfire.org, click on the Hawaii Wildfire Website link, then click on the Projects tab.

Residents in fire-prone areas would be wise to take steps now to protect their homes and families.

Mike Walker, state protection forester with the state Division of Forestry and Wildlife, explained, “Not all fires start on lands under our jurisdiction, but all firefighting agencies, including DOFAW, place emphasis on protecting life and property. Anything that can be done to make homes more resistant to fires is assuredly a good thing.”