August 15, 2024, 9:15 a.m. HST
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has compiled online resources for homeowners, business owners and others to help them recover from last year’s wildfire disaster and protect themselves in the future.
The wildfire recovery information will later be available on MauiRecovers.org and is the first in a six-part series of online resources provided by the FEMA Mitigation Assessment Team to assist with recovery following the one-year anniversary of the wildfire disaster.
An example of such a resource is the Hawaii Wildfire Action Guide published by the Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization. It explains the conditions that contribute to a wildfire and provides homeowners with fire preparedness strategies, including wildfire-resistant retrofits, defensible spaces, and advice on creating a wildfire emergency plan.
Another resource for homeowners is Tips for Firewise Landscaping, also from the Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization. This guide helps select plants for gardens that are fire-resistant and those to avoid because they are fire-prone. The booklet also includes tools to help homeowners select noninvasive trees and plants.
Another resource is a guide from FEMA that describes how homeowners can reduce the risk of wildfire spreading to their property through direct contact with flames, embers or hot gases. The strategies address weak points at joints, gaps, vents and additions such as decks and fences to a home.
There is also the FEMA Homeowners Guide to Defensible Spaces, which includes instructions on creating defensible spaces and tips for homes where space between lots is limited.
This description of defensible space includes the “immediate” space from 0 to 5 feet, which is not addressed in Hawaii’s Wildfire Action Guide. However, it is best practice to include this zone in the development of a home’s defensible space to improve protection from wildfire damage.
Other resources include the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety’s Wildfire Ready Business Guide. It provides business owners with guidance on preparing for and reducing wildfire damage. The guide includes preparedness plans and resilient retrofits. It is part of the Institute for Business and Home Safety’s Wildfire Ready series for homes and businesses.
Additional resources:
- Disaster Building Permit (Maui County of Maui): Instructions for applying for a permit to repair, rebuild, or alter a building damaged by applicable catastrophic events.
- Get support at Resource Centers (Maui Recovers): Comprehensive resource list for personal support services.
- Hawaii Wildfire Disaster Relief (US Small Business Administration): Instructions on how to apply for Small Business Administration disaster loans for homeowners, renters, small businesses, and nonprofits.
- Homeowner Rebuilding Resource (Helping Maui): A step-by-step guide to the homeowner rebuilding process.
- Fire Insurance Claims Information (Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs): Instructions and frequently asked questions about filing an insurance claim for property damaged by wildfires.
- Rebuilding from the Maui Fires (American Institute of Architects): This guide provides links to architects on Maui, Hawaii, and abroad who are helping with the rebuilding effort. It includes links to helpful websites and informational documents.
- Maui Recovers: Up-to-date community recovery news and numerous assistance resources for residents and businesses with the opportunity to receive personal assistance in fire hazard removal.
- Maui Recovery Assistance (Hawaiʻi County): Information center providing assistance in the areas of housing, financial assistance, employment, business, nutrition, medical care and transportation.
