Courtesy photo

Wildfires are becoming more and more severe across the U.S. These massive fires bring fear and anxiety as well as destruction. What they take is heart-wrenching: memories, financial security, the work of a lifetime — and, too often, lives. Recovering from wildfire is hard in the best of circumstances.

By December 2022, the U.S. had experienced more than 66,000 fires, the 12th highest annual figure on record. Fires in the western U.S. are larger and cause more significant damage than in the eastern U.S. In 2021, approximately 6.2 million acres were burned in the west compared to just under 1 million acres in the east.

Nationwide, over the next 30 years, the number of existing properties that face at least a 1% risk of wildfire will nearly quadruple to 2.5 million. This is particularly significant for Utah as it’s one of the fastest-growing states in the nation.

In fact, when measured as a share of all properties, fire risk is far greater in Utah than any other state, with more than 1 in 20 properties having at least a 1% chance of experiencing a wildfire annually. It’s often assumed that a 1% annual chance is nothing for residents to be concerned about — that’s a misconception. This risk compounds over time, especially given increases in environmental changes.

Unfortunately, wildfires also contribute to another issue that can be equally destructive: The greater the area burned, the higher the flood after fire risk for nearby property owners. Growing up in Utah, I have seen how devastating it is for communities that have battled a wildfire event, and harder yet to see a family lose their home.

Isaac Hale, Daily Herald file photo

Over the past years, Utah has seen multiple, destructive flash flooding and mudflow events — from the historic 2018 Bald Mountain and Pole Creek fires when homes were evacuated in Elk Ridge to the 2019 Gun Range Fire in Bountiful and the 2021 Pack Creek Fire in Moab.

Rain seems like welcome relief for fire-ravaged lands. But wildfires leave the ground charred, barren and unable to absorb water. It takes very little rain to bring flash flooding and mudflows to homes, businesses and other structures in burn scar areas. The risk of flooding skyrockets in these burned areas until vegetation is restored, which can take five years or more after a fire.

“Minor” flooding often brings surprisingly severe damage. Just 1 inch of water can cause roughly $25,000 of damage to a home. Many residents aren’t aware that most homeowners and renters insurance policies do not cover flood damage. Disaster assistance, when available, is designed to begin recovery — not restore a home to its original condition. Only flood insurance provides the financial protection needed to recover from flooding.

As a former insurance professional, I have helped individuals deal with an insurable loss. Those that had insurance coverage recovered much quicker and were grateful for the financial assistance when needed. It is important that individuals are informed of their risk and know what options are available to help them recover.

Like wildfires, severe and unpredictable weather is on the rise. Waiting until a flood is predicted to seek coverage can be a costly mistake, as most new flood policies, whether through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or a private provider, have a waiting period.

Evan Cobb, Daily Herald file photo

In a world where fire season is year-round, it’s important for Utahns to explore their flood risk and learn about the benefits of flood insurance. A call to an insurance agent or provider can make a drastic difference in recovering quickly from flooding.

Tracie Harrison is currently the Utah state coordinator for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Prior to this position, she was a mitigation specialist in FEMA’s floodplain management and insurance branch, where she focused on post-wildfire flood risk mitigation and outreach for the states of Utah, Montana, Colorado and Wyoming.