Frontline Wildfire Newsletter

November 2024

A New Era of Community-Scale Wildfire Defense

We’re proud to announce that Woodside Homes has selected Frontline to protect their latest new community. Frontline’s advanced wildfire defense system will safeguard 151 homes at the pioneering Wayfare Station community in Santa Clarita, CA. This partnership sets a new benchmark for fire protection, safety, and sustainability in homebuilding.

Skyrocketing insurance costs had put the entire project at risk, forcing Woodside to pause construction for over a year while reevaluating options. By integrating Frontline’s wildfire defense system, the community qualified for significant insurance discounts, making construction feasible and allowing Wayfare Station to move forward.

This collaboration not only provided an affordable insurance solution for Wayfare Station but also set a powerful precedent for building resilient, fire-ready communities. For Frontline, Wayfare Station represents a significant leap forward in our mission to protect entire communities, helping residents live confidently—even in high-risk areas.

Frontline Goes to Washington to Fire Up Innovation

Frontline recently had the honor of attending the White House FireTech Innovation Roundtable, hosted by the Biden-Harris Administration. This was an incredible opportunity for us to join industry experts, innovators, and policymakers in tackling the challenges of wildfire resilience.

The roundtable allowed Frontline to highlight why ember modeling is essential for wildfire planning and why protecting structures should be a top priority to reduce losses and better manage risks. We were proud to share our vision and get a glimpse of how federal engagement is accelerating solutions that protect communities nationwide.

On the same day, the U.S. Fire Administration and the Moore Foundation’s Wildfire Resilience Initiative announced a partnership to advance fire research, innovation, and community resilience. This collaboration further underscores powerful momentum in wildfire resilience, demonstrating that wildfire risk is being taken seriously at all levels. Together, these efforts reflect a nationwide commitment to improving fire resilience through better risk assessment and proactive planning.

This event was a major moment for Frontline, demonstrating that wildfire risk is being taken seriously at the highest levels and that real change is happening. We are excited to be part of this movement and to lead the charge in reducing these risks for communities everywhere.

Ember Modeling: A Vital Step for Wildfire Preparedness

Many communities underestimate their wildfire risk by overlooking ember exposure, which accounts for 90% of structure losses. This gap leaves communities vulnerable, as most wildfire protection plans lack ember modeling. In Teton County, WY—our headquarters—ember modeling was recently added to the Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) to better address Teton's true wildfire risk. As a result, the entire county is now designated as a Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI). This enabled Teton to develop a comprehensive strategy, shifting focus from resource-heavy suppression to proactive structure protection and community safety.

The US Forest Service provides tools that account for ember exposure, which can be adopted locally to create detailed CWPPs and help communities prepare for wildfire risk. By understanding ember risk and implementing strategies focused on protecting structures—the core assets at risk—communities can better mitigate risk and start to stabilize insurance costs and availability.  

With limited firefighting resources, it's important to shift our approach. Instead of focusing only on suppression, communities need to adopt a 'living with fire' mindset. Ember modeling helps guide smart investments and build resilience, enabling proactive protection and reducing the strain on firefighting resources.

For tools to help assess and manage wildfire threats in your community, visit wildfirerisk.org.

Nature’s Cycle: The Fire-Dependent Lodgepole Pine

In North America’s fire-prone forests, lodgepole pines—often called “fire pines” or “fire trees”—depend on fire not just for survival but for regeneration. These trees hold seeds in tightly sealed cones, which only open when exposed to the intense heat of a wildfire. This adaptation allows lodgepole pines to reclaim freshly cleared ground, benefiting from nutrients and sunlight in an open environment.

While fire is essential to many plant communities, lodgepole pines are a vivid example. When natural fires are suppressed, these “fire trees” miss the chance to release their seeds and renew the forest. Over time, this can create dense, aging stands of trees, which build up dry fuel, leading to larger, more intense wildfires when they do eventually burn. Allowing fire to play its natural role in these ecosystems helps maintain the health and resilience of lodgepole pine forests and reduces the risk of catastrophic fires.

Employee Spotlight: Kathleen Dempsey

Kathleen Dempsey, one of our stellar systems designers, is a true “proposal pro” and a creative powerhouse who’s brought a fresh spark to Frontline since joining in early 2024. With roots in landscape architecture from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, Kathleen has reshaped our sales proposals with precision and polish, transforming them into seamless, streamlined works of art. Her commitment to quality and consistency means fewer “design detours,” keeping projects on the fast track from concept to completion.

Known for her independence yet impeccable teamwork, Kathleen has set a new benchmark for brilliance. Her colleagues rave about her “professional polish” and quick grasp of project goals, noting how she’s brought “high standards” and a touch of “Dempsey magic” to every project. Kathleen is truly a gem on our team and a key player in Frontline’s journey toward wildfire resilience!

Don't Forget to Refer Frontline to Friends & Neighbors

Preparing for wildfire is a community effort. Each home that is protected makes our neighborhoods safer. Spread the word about Frontline and earn a $500 Visa gift card every time someone you refer purchases a Frontline System. Even better, your friends, family, and neighbors will get $1000 off of the price of their Frontline system. 

When you sign up for the Frontline referral program, you will receive a personal referral link that can be shared through text, email, or social media. We will track your referrals for you and notify you if someone you refer decides to purchase a Frontline system. There is no limit to the number of people you can refer. Frontline Wildfire Defense Systems are available in most western states and can be installed on owner-occupied homes and businesses.