On October 9th, Dave Winnacker (Co-Founder, XyloPlan) and Jason Brooks (CEO and Co-Founder, Fire Aside) led a joint webinar on how wildfire agencies can use science-based risk modeling to prioritize defensible space, strengthen home hardening programs, and communicate measurable progress to residents and policymakers.
The session centered on three themes: decreasing urban conflagration risk through modeling technology, increasing program ROI through data-driven prioritization, and improving public communication and buy-in to connect homeowners to the broader community mission.
Understanding Wildfire Risk Through Data
Not all parcels contribute equally to wildfire risk. Some structures are more likely to ignite others, creating conditions for urban fire spread. The webinar introduced how XyloPlan’s Fire Pathways modeling identifies where wildfire moves fastest and where vegetation fires are most likely to transition into the built environment.
Focusing on these points of transition (where vegetation meets vulnerable structures) allows agencies to direct resources to the most consequential areas. This targeted approach can reduce large-scale loss while making defensible space and home hardening programs more effective and measurable.
Making Every Investment Count
Wildfire mitigation programs operate under constant constraints: limited funding, staff, community will to act, and time. By using risk models to determine which actions deliver the greatest return, agencies can focus efforts on the structures most capable of igniting others. Treating even the top 10–30 percent of highest-risk homes can protect many more through network effects, where one hardened structure helps shield its neighbors.
This approach shifts success from activity to impact. Rather than measuring progress by the number of inspections or dollars spent, agencies can track how much risk is actually reduced, linking investments to measurable outcomes that justify budgets, strengthen grant proposals, and demonstrate tangible community benefit.
Engaging Communities for Long-Term Resilience
Wildfire resilience ultimately depends on people. Integrating Fire Pathways data into platforms like Fire Aside helps agencies communicate risk clearly and motivate residents to act. When homeowners understand how their property conditions influence community safety, participation improves, compliance rises, and defensible space programs become more sustainable. By explaining why specific homes are prioritized and how mitigation benefits the entire community, agencies can strengthen public trust and support for ongoing programs.
Science-based modeling, strategic prioritization, and community engagement together form a clear framework for proactive wildfire risk reduction. By focusing on the right homes, tracking measurable results, and empowering residents, agencies can build programs that not only prevent loss but also foster long-term resilience.
To explore these strategies in detail and see the modeling demonstrations firsthand, watch the full recording below.
Ready to apply these strategies in your community?
Contact us today to learn how our science-based modeling can help you prioritize resources, measure impact, and strengthen wildfire resilience programs.