KB Home Launches Wildfire-Resilient Community in Escondido, CA
In response to the severe wildfires that have devastated regions in California, KB Home, a leading builder based in the state, has unveiled a pioneering development aimed at enhancing homeowner safety. Situated in Escondido, just north of San Diego, this new community is the company’s first project designed explicitly to meet wildfire resilience standards.
Development Overview
The Escondido project will feature a total of 64 single-family homes, all adhering to the strict wildfire resilience criteria established by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS). These standards focus on protection against the three primary ignition sources during a wildfire: flying embers, flames, and radiant heat.
Currently, several homes in this development have been completed, with approximately 20 of them sold and three families already moved in.
Architectural Resilience Features
Investing in fortification against wildfires, the homes will be equipped with:
- Covered gutters
- Enclosed eaves
- Non-combustible siding such as stucco and fiber cement
- Tempered-glass windows
- Fire-resistant patios, doors, and roofing
The designs also prioritize defensible space, featuring low-combustible landscaping at least five feet away from the structures. Homes will be constructed with a six-inch vertical clearance from the concrete foundation to the top, and metal fencing will be installed throughout the neighborhood to enhance safety measures.
Rapid Adaptation to Wildfire Standards
According to Steve Ruffner, regional general manager of KB Home’s coastal division, the initiative was spurred by a demonstration of fire-resistant homes by IBHS at a recent construction conference. Despite already commencing work on the community, the team swiftly integrated wildfire-resilient features into the remaining designs. “We had to change the architecture on the fly to a more stucco-oriented architecture with fire-resistant shutters, doors, and tempered windows,” Ruffner stated.
He characterized the project as a research and development effort, aiming to evaluate the costs associated with these resilience upgrades, although he did not disclose specific figures. The price range for the homes is between $1 million and the low millions, targeting both first-time buyers and those looking to upgrade.
A Shift Towards Fire-Resistant Housing
The increasing severity of wildfires, exacerbated by climate change, has led to a greater emphasis on constructing fire-resistant homes and communities. In fact, during the January Palisades Fire, some homes built to these standards remained intact while others in the vicinity were lost.
Although progress has been noted on a smaller, individualized scale throughout California, KB Home’s initiative marks a significant shift as they become the first major production builder to commit to constructing an entire neighborhood of homes aligned with wildfire preparedness standards. Notably, the homes will be spaced 10 feet apart to help slow any potential fire spread.
The Broader Implications of Wildfire-Resilient Housing
Roy Wright, CEO of IBHS, emphasized the importance of developing homes that are not only survivable but also insurable in the current market, as many insurers are withdrawing from California due to heightened fire risks. “This subdivision built by KB Home, it’s really the test bed to show this and demonstrate it,” Wright remarked, noting the potential for KB Home to expand this model to other housing types in the area.
While these homes are designed with resilience in mind, homeowners must also be proactive in utilizing non-combustible landscaping and appropriate home designs for optimal safety. Ultimately, the effectiveness of these measures will be tested against future wildfire incidents.
As the demand for safer housing solutions grows in fire-prone areas, KB Home’s innovative community in Escondido may serve as a model for future developments aimed at combating the erratic nature of wildfires.
