Why Now is the Smart Time to Start Preparing for Wildfire Season in Idaho

Idaho’s wildfire season doesn’t wait for perfect timing—and this year, the signs point to an earlier, potentially more intense fire risk than usual. After a milder-than-average winter and below-average snowpack across much of the state, experts are forecasting drier conditions heading into spring and summer. That means vegetation will dry out faster, and the window for safe preparation is narrowing quickly.

At The Hartwell Corporation, we’ve been helping Idaho families and businesses protect what matters most since 1963. As Idaho’s largest 100% employee-owned independent insurance agency, we see firsthand how a little proactive work today can prevent major stress—and major financial setbacks—when smoke fills the air and evacuation notices start rolling in.

Defensible Space Now Saves Headaches Later

Creating and maintaining defensible space around your home or business property is one of the most effective things you can do to protect what you’ve built. It’s not about turning your yard or commercial site into a barren zone—it’s about giving firefighters a fighting chance and making sure your insurance coverage responds the way you expect when wildfire strikes.

Here are three straightforward steps you can take right now:

1. Clear 30 feet around your home or building. Remove dead plants, leaves, pine needles, and other flammable debris within 30 feet of your structures. Trim tree branches so they don’t overhang roofs or touch siding/walls. This simple zone dramatically reduces the chance of embers igniting your property.

2. Update roof vents and siding (or exterior materials). Check and upgrade to ember-resistant vents where possible, and consider fire-resistant materials for siding, decks, or commercial building exteriors. Small changes here can make a big difference when wind-driven embers start flying.

3. Review your evacuation coverage. Make sure both your homeowners and business insurance policies actually reflect the protections you need in a wildfire scenario.

   • For homeowners: Does your policy include adequate dwelling coverage, contents protection, and additional living expense (ALE) benefits if you’re displaced?

   • For business owners: Does your commercial property policy cover building replacement, business personal property, equipment, inventory, and business income/interruption coverage if you’re forced to shut down or relocate? Are there any gaps in your current setup that could leave you exposed during or after a wildfire?

We’re Your Idaho Neighbors First

Because we’re 100% employee-owned and deeply rooted in communities across Idaho, we approach every conversation with one simple mindset: when you succeed, we succeed. We’re not here to sell you something you don’t need—we’re here to make sure your insurance works for you when it matters most.

As an independent agency, we have access to multiple carriers and can help tailor both personal and commercial insurance to fit Idaho’s unique risks. No pressure, just practical guidance from people who live and work right here in the gem state and beyond.

Ready to Get Ahead of the Season?

Don’t wait until the first red-flag warning hits the forecast. Take a few minutes this month to knock out those defensible space steps and give us a shout for a no-obligation insurance review.

Reach out through our website at www.thehartwellcorp.com, and we’ll walk you through a quick check of your homeowners or business policies.

Employee-Owned Insurance Solutions. When you succeed, we do too.