Wildfires threaten the homes and properties of millions of residents in the United States every year. However, several things can be done to prepare for a potential disaster.
According to the National Interagency Coordination Center (NICC), 77,850 wildfires were reported nationally in 2025, up from 67,897 the year before. These wildfires burned approximately 5.1 million acres in 2025, compared to 8.9 million acres in 2024.
Additionally, the NICC reported that 18,385 structures were destroyed by wildfires in 2025. This included 12,773 residences, 5,116 minor structures, and 496 commercial or mixed residential structures.
California once again led the country in 2025 with the highest number of wildfires and acres burned, over 525,223 million acres, according to Cal Fire. The agency reported 8,036 wildfires in the state, with 16,512 structures damaged or destroyed.
There were 77,850 wildfires in the United States in 2025.
Of the reported wildfires, more than 5.1 million acres burned in 2025.
The state with the most wildfires and the most acres burned was California.
To help prepare for wildfire, Mapfre Insurance has some recommendations.
Prepare your home
Because the roof is the part of your home most vulnerable to an outside fire, make sure you clean your gutters of dry leaves and use the right roofing material. Instead of wood or shingles, opt for steel, tile, or composition roofing materials if possible. Wood is also common for walls, but, since it is highly combustible, ignition-resistant materials like fiber cement or stucco are better options.
Get defensive on your property
It’s important to create defensible space between your home and the grass, trees, or shrubs surrounding it, according to CAL FIRE. The space, or buffer, should be categorized into two zones, and items that can easily ignite should be removed to slow or stop the spread of wildfire. These zones will also provide firefighters with a safer area to work in should they need to battle a blaze. Zone 1, according to CAL FIRE, extends 30 feet from buildings, structures, or decks to your property line – whichever is closer. Zone 2 extends from 30 feet to 100 feet from buildings, structures, decks, or your property line – whichever is closer.
In Zone 1:
- Remove dead grass, dead plants, and dry leaves from the yard.
- Keep chimney(s) clean and screened.
- Scatter trees and keep tree branches trimmed.
In Zone 2:
- Make the driveway accessible with a visible street address.
- Place wood piles and fuel tanks at least 30 feet away from structures.
- Keep storage sheds away from the house.
- Regularly prune trees and brush, removing dead leaves and needles.
- Avoid outdoor burning; recycle mulch and compost.
Create an emergency plan
Knowing where to receive emergency alerts from authorities and coordinating an evacuation plan with your family is critical. Developing an emergency supply kit, including food and fresh water for three days, flashlights, first aid kits, and cell phone chargers, is also vital. Check out ready.gov for more suggestions on an emergency plan and supply kit.
Make sure your insurance is in order
Call your independent agent to understand what your policy covers, and make sure it is updated to reflect any changes to your property. If you are a tenant, we recommend purchasing renters insurance to cover any losses to personal property in the event of a fire.
Take an inventory
If a fire damages or destroys your home, replacing your possessions may be easier if you previously documented their contents. Save receipts in a fireproof lockbox or in the cloud, and record your rooms, garage, closets, appliances, and valuables with video and photos. To prepare, check out great resources like the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection for more advice. Most importantly, stay safe and pay close attention to fire and public safety officials in your region as wildfire threats escalate.
We hope you find these wildfire tips helpful. Make sure you have the right coverage for your home with Mapfre by talking to an independent agent in your state. If you don’t have Mapfre, see how much you can save by getting a fast, free quote online in Massachusetts today!
