California Launches ‘Building With Resilience’ Campaign

News Summary

California has initiated the ‘Building With Resilience’ campaign to encourage the use of non-combustible construction materials in rebuilding after wildfires. The initiative aims to enhance fire safety, lower insurance costs, and support environmental goals by promoting fire-resistant materials like concrete and steel. Collaboration among experts will set standards for fire resilience, while significant incentives are offered to homeowners adopting these practices. This strategic move aims to protect lives, homes, and essential infrastructure in fire-prone areas, emphasizing the importance of building resilience against wildfires.

California has launched a new campaign called “Building With Resilience” aimed at promoting the use of non-combustible construction materials in rebuilding efforts following recent devastating wildfires. The initiative seeks to enhance fire safety, reduce insurance costs, and contribute to the state’s climate goals. With an increasing emphasis on building resilience against wildfires, this campaign targets lawmakers and communities to foster awareness around the benefits of fire-resistant building practices.

The “Building With Resilience” campaign highlights a selection of readily available non-combustible materials such as concrete, masonry, metal, stone, fiber-cement, and asphalt. By incorporating these materials into construction, the program aims to improve structural durability while supporting California’s broader environmental objectives. As part of this initiative, experts in the construction and fire safety sectors will collaborate to establish clear standards for fire resilience in building practices.

Infrastructure is also a key focus of the campaign. Critical elements like roads and water systems that are essential during fire events will be rebuilt using fire-resistant materials. This approach aims not only to safeguard human life but also to ensure essential services remain operational during such crises.

The importance of utilizing non-combustible materials was further emphasized by recent evaluations stemming from the fires in January 2025. Research by the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety revealed that these materials significantly mitigate fire damage and can prevent total losses. The study examined buildings affected by the Palisades and Eaton fires, concluding that both the proximity of structures and the use of fire-resistant materials are crucial in determining a building’s resilience against wildfires.

In line with these findings, construction companies are adapting their approaches. For example, PHNX Development is currently constructing homes entirely out of concrete and steel, effectively eliminating the use of wood, which is often a fire hazard. These new homes are outfitted with Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF), which are designed to withstand intense flames while minimizing structural damage.

Insurance providers are taking note of this shift. Mercury Insurance now offers potential discounts for homeowners who build non-combustible homes, providing savings of up to 45% compared to traditional insurance coverage. This incentive aims to encourage more residents to consider fire-resistant building options as a means to protect both their homes and their financial investments.

Architects and designers are also adapting to the new standards by increasingly focusing on fire-resistant building designs. This shift away from combustible materials is paramount in enhancing structural safety, especially in fire-prone areas of the state. In addition, defensible space landscaping techniques are being promoted to create zones around homes that are free of combustible materials, further protecting properties during wildfire events.

Fire-rated materials, which are capable of withstanding exposure to flames for extended periods, are becoming more recognized as essential components in fire-prone areas. Many homes that were lost during recent wildfires were constructed prior to California’s enhanced building codes, which emphasize the use of non-resilient materials. As such, raising community awareness and building policy support are critical steps in effectively rebuilding California’s vulnerable regions while enhancing overall fire resilience.

The ongoing campaign, “Building With Resilience,” highlights California’s commitment to not only recovering from previous wildfires but also preparing for future challenges posed by climate change and natural disasters. Through cross-sector collaboration, the state aims to advance safer, more sustainable building practices that protect both lives and homes.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

• Business Wire: Building With Resilience
• DWM Magazine: Palisades Fire Study
• Fast Company: Fire Resistant House
• ABC30: California Insurance Crisis
• Wikipedia: Wildfire