The economic, emotional, and environmental toll tied to this latest string of events has been staggering. Successful evacuation efforts saved countless lives, an obvious win, but many livelihoods were lost along the way. The loss of homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure serves as a stark reminder that we must rebuild with purpose. Breaking this costly cycle of rebuilding each time disaster strikes should compel us to embrace materials and designs that can stand their ground.

The path forward requires a shift in perspective. Experts warn that rebuilding communities in their previous forms—without considering fire-resistance and defensive design—can lead to perpetual vulnerability. As wildfire researcher and former firefighter Jack Cohen aptly advises, “Don’t build it like it was.”

A recent report, California leaders promise a quick rebuild, but that may put homes at risk of fire again, includes words of caution from urban planners and engineers: “reconstructing Pacific Palisades and other fire-ravaged neighborhoods in their former image could make residents sitting ducks for future blazes.”

Regardless of region, there are practical measures we can take to ensure our infrastructure stands the test of time. It starts by incorporating durable building materials for foundations, walls, and roofs—designed to withstand the specific disasters that frequently threaten our communities.

For centuries, materials like concrete, brick, and stone have been the cornerstone of enduring structures and offer unparalleled advantages in disaster-prone areas. These materials are non-combustible, resilient against hurricane-caliber winds, and provide inherent protection against water and wind-driven debris. Additionally, homes built with dense, inert materials often qualify for lower insurance premiums, as providers recognize their reduced risk of damage.  The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety’s Steven Hawks contends that “Every house that doesn’t burn in an extreme wildfire is beneficial to the entire community since it doesn’t produce the heat and embers that can spread the fire to others.”

The benefits of resilient construction extend beyond safety. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation estimates that every $1 invested in resilient construction saves $13 in future damages, cleanup costs, and economic losses. Property damage estimates from this year’s Los Angeles outbreak alone are over $250 billion. 

I cannot emphasis enough that the materials we choose to rebuild with matters immensely.  This is a defining moment for our nation to embrace practical solutions that balance safety, sustainability, and affordability. Small, informed decisions today can yield profound impacts for generations to come. It is entirely possible to rebuild with resilience while maintaining beauty and cost-effectiveness.

Now is the time to act. Let’s come together, prioritize smarter rebuilding strategies, and create communities that are not just restored, but reimagined for a stronger, safer future.

Consider these steps when designing for disaster-resistance:

Wildfire:

• Create buffer zones around buildings without vegetation to prevent the spread of fire to the building 
• Prioritize the use of non-combustible wall and cladding materials. 
• Consider the use of Class A fire-rated roofing materials.

 Hurricane/High Winds:

• Incorporate best practices such as roof straps/anchors to secure the roof to the walls and foundation
• Use fortified materials that are resistant to debris impacts.
• Pay close attention to the roof, wall, and openings in design, construction, and inspection.

 Flood:

• Relocate buildings outside of floodplains or elevate them above flood water levels.
• Account for high water levels in the design of basements and foundations.
• Incorporate water- and mold-resistant materials as much as possible.

Riley Dvorak is the National Design Technical Director of the Concrete Masonry Checkoff (CMC). A civil engineer, Dvorak will spearhead the creation of CMC’s visionary Design Assistance program, a virtual destination where architects and engineers can access complimentary concrete masonry design services. A civil engineering graduate of Minnesota State University Mankato, Dvorak spent more than a decade at Rinker Materials, a manufacturer of reinforced concrete pipe, box, bridge, and other related infrastructure products.

ABOUT THE CONCRETE MASONRY CHECKOFF

The Concrete Masonry Checkoff (CMC) is an industry funded initiative to support education, research and promotion of manufactured concrete masonry units in the United States. The Concrete Checkoff Program is the first-ever Checkoff Program at the Department of Commerce.

For more information, visit https://www.concretemasonrycheckoff.org/