Wildfire Resource Center

Contact CNA's Claim Center

Report a New Claim

CNA’s Claim Catastrophe Operations Center is fully operational and ready to assist customers with claims related to wildfires.

Voice: 877-CNA-ASAP (877-262-2727), Select Option 2
Fax: 800-953-7389
Email: lossreport@cnaasap.com

Need additional support once your claim is reported? Our Claims professionals are on hand to assist with policyholder needs.

Voice: 877-706-0671
Fax: 877-733-4254

Wildfire Preparedness: A Resource Center

Safeguard businesses and employees with strategic wildfire preparedness

Wildfires don't follow a calendar or stay confined to traditional risk zones. Driven by prolonged droughts and rising temperatures, they are growing larger, moving faster and striking areas that used to be considered safe.

For today's businesses, wildfire preparedness is a year-round necessity. A clear, actionable plan helps protect your property and operations, as well as support the people who keep your business running.

CNA provides practical tools, expert advice and clear insights to help businesses prepare.

For Agents & Brokers

Support your clients before, during and after wildfires with ready-to-use guidance and communication tools including:

Client-ready preparedness and response guidance
Communication templates for pre- and post-wildfire outreach
Shareable resources to reinforce risk mitigation

Download the Wildfire Toolkit

For CNA Policyholders

Actionable Steps for Commercial Policyholders:

Wildfire Preparedness (Before an Event)

Key Actions Businesses Can Take to Prepare

Planning ahead can minimize property damage and keep your business running smoothly. Setting up basic safety steps ensures your business is ready to act.

Property Protection Best Practices:

Maintain Clear Space (0–30 feet): Remove debris, dry vegetation and other combustible materials near structures
Manage Outer Vegetation (30–100+ feet): Thin trees and brush to slow potential fire spread
Harden the Structure and Vents: Use fire-resistant materials and protect vents, roofs and other vulnerable areas

Business Continuity Planning

Having a well-defined Business Continuity Plan (BCP) can help ensure proper shutdown and restart procedures in the face of natural disasters. Review annually to help protect people, equipment and operations.

BCPs should include:

Equipment shutdown procedures
System restart protocols
Protection of critical assets and infrastructure
Off-site data backup and recovery planning

Emergency Planning for Employees

Structured workplace health and safety planning can reduce confusion and help protect your workforce under hazardous conditions. Those plans should include:

Incident response drills and testing
Emergency communication plans and call trees
Smoke exposure awareness and safety training

Review each of these annually with your team to ensure emergency preparedness.

Response & Protection (During an Active Wildfire)

When an active wildfire threatens your area, business operations must stop so your team can focus on personal safety and facility protection.

Property and Personal Protection Best Practices:

Monitor real-time updates and official guidance
Clear areas around windows and entry points
Close all doors, windows and vents
Pack vital records
Move vehicles away from structures

If local authorities order an evacuation, everyone must leave immediately. Before leaving, secure your facility by turning off machinery, closing main gas lines, shutting outdoor fuel valves and ensuring fire sprinkler valves remain wide open.

Block toxic smoke by shutting down HVAC fans that pull in outside air. If smoke enters before you evacuate, use your highest filter setting and portable HEPA filters. Finally, protect outdoor workers from dangerous air quality by moving work indoors, altering schedules or providing breathing masks. Use an emergency call tree to confirm every employee is safe.

Recovery (After a Wildfire Event)

Acting quickly after a wildfire can help restore operations while ensuring your property is structurally secure and free of hazards.

Important Steps Following Wildfire Damage:

Document all damage with photos and video before cleanup
Establish temporary operations or remote workspaces
Hire professionals to check utilities and restore electrical power slowly
Clean ventilation and utility lines to replace ruined filters and flush stagnant systems
Follow manufacturer instructions and test all safety switches before restarting machinery
Verify that all building certificates and official regulatory inspections are up to date

Expert Insight

"Wildfire resilience is built long before smoke appears on the horizon. Organizations that proactively manage vegetation, harden vulnerable assets, and prepare response and recovery plans are far better positioned to withstand wildfire events and minimize operational impacts."

Ali Soltani, PhD, PE
Risk Control Consulting Director – Global Natural Hazards Strategy