[ 01 ]Background
Fire Chief, Industry Consultant.
Patrick Reitz has more than 33 years in emergency services and has led four fire departments. He is Fire Chief of the Lakeport Fire Protection District, and was previously chief in Idyllwild, Sheridan and Crooked River Ranch.
He specializes in structure hardening and suppression: how homes ignite, how to stop it, and what inspectors and insurers look for.
Patrick writes Wetline's guides on home hardening, defensible space inspections and the mitigation programs insurers recognize.
Areas of expertise
- Structure hardening
- Structure fire suppression
- Defensible space inspections
- Wildfire mitigation programs for insurance
- Fire department leadership
[ 02 ]Articles
Written by Patrick.
California Insurance Commissioner: Kim Declares Victory
Jane Kim declared victory on Friday in the race for California insurance commissioner. Nothing changes for your policy today, but here is what to watch and what to do now.
By Patrick ReitzNov 06, 2026 · 7 min readAB 38 Defensible Space Inspection: Selling in a Fire Zone
Selling in a High or Very High fire zone means documenting defensible space. Here is how AB 38 inspections work in LA County, Malibu and Truckee, and how to prepare.
By Patrick ReitzNov 02, 2026 · 9 min readZone 0 Rules Head Back to California's Board of Forestry
California's Zone 0 ember-resistant rules are expected back before the Board of Forestry this week. No statewide rule is in effect yet, but the first five feet around your home is worth prepping now.
By Patrick ReitzNov 01, 2026 · 7 min readCalifornia Home Insurance Losses: What 2025 Data Shows
New NAIC figures show California's 2025 homeowners losses far outran premiums, driven by the Palisades and Eaton fires. Here is what that means for your coverage and what you can do.
By Patrick ReitzOct 29, 2026 · 7 min read
Wildfire Prepared Home Designation: A Guide for CA and Tahoe
The IBHS Wildfire Prepared Home designation gives you third-party proof of your hardening work. Here is what it requires, what it costs, and what to ask your insurer.
By Patrick ReitzOct 28, 2026 · 9 min readCalifornia Insurance Commissioner Race: What Homeowners Should Know
Californians pick a new insurance commissioner on Nov. 3. Here is what the two candidates propose for wildfire coverage, and what homeowners can document now, whoever wins.
By Patrick ReitzOct 27, 2026 · 6 min readNevada Homeowners Insurance Wildfire Exclusion: What to Check
Since January 1, Nevada insurers have been allowed to exclude wildfire from homeowners policies. Here is what AB 376 does, what has actually happened so far, and what to check on your own policy.
By Patrick ReitzOct 26, 2026 · 9 min readCalifornia Home Insurance Rate Review Goes Public
California's Department of Insurance now lets insurers opt into a public rate review before they file. It won't change your bill tomorrow, but it changes how rate requests become visible.
By Patrick ReitzOct 24, 2026 · 7 min readCalifornia Orders Lenders to Report LA Fire Insurance Payouts
State regulators want mortgage lenders to explain how they handle insurance money owed to LA fire survivors. Here is what it means if you are rebuilding.
By Patrick ReitzOct 23, 2026 · 6 min read
What Is Home Hardening? The Complete Wildfire Guide for Homeowners
Home hardening means upgrading a house so it resists ignition from embers, flames and radiant heat. Here is what it includes, what it costs to ignore, and where to start.
By Patrick ReitzOct 21, 2026 · 5 min read
Zone 0 Rules in California: Where Things Stand This Fall
California's five-foot ember-resistant zone was adopted in August, then pulled back from final review. Here is the status, what the draft requires, and what to do now.
By Patrick ReitzOct 21, 2026 · 4 min read
California FAIR Plan Rates Rise 29.1%: What Homeowners Can Do
FAIR Plan premiums rose an average of 29.1% on October 15. Here is who is affected, why rates went up, and how hardening can help you get back to a standard policy.
By Patrick ReitzOct 16, 2026 · 4 min readSafer from Wildfires: What California Insurers Must Recognize
California's Safer from Wildfires framework lists the home and community upgrades insurers have to account for in pricing. Here is what it covers and how to qualify.
By Patrick ReitzSep 24, 2026 · 3 min read
Zone 0: A Practical Guide to the Five-Foot Ember-Resistant Zone
The five feet closest to your house matter more than anything else in your yard. Here's what belongs there, what doesn't, and why California is focusing on it.
By Patrick ReitzSep 15, 2026 · 3 min read
The IBHS Wildfire Prepared Home Designation, Explained
The insurance industry's own research institute created a home designation built on fire science. Here is what it requires and why some carriers reward it.
By Patrick ReitzSep 10, 2026 · 3 min read
Wildfire Insurance in Nevada and Lake Tahoe: What Underwriters Look For
Forested Sierra communities face tightening underwriting. Here is what carriers look at in Incline Village, the East Shore, Reno and Truckee, and how to strengthen your file.
By Patrick ReitzAug 28, 2026 · 3 min read