News Roundup: Passive House & the LA Wildfires

Our thoughts remain with the people of Los Angeles as the area continues to reckon with the damage caused by the wildfires. As those affected by the smoke and flames look towards rebuilding, we have gathered a selection of articles and podcasts that have covered the recent interest in Passive House as an ideal choice for those who are rebuilding from a wildfire disaster.

Reporter Chava Gourarie from Mansion Global spoke to Passive House leaders Ken Levenson, Johnny Rezvani, Michael Eliason, and Mark Attard about Passive House and fire resilience after a home in the Palisades avoided the flames amid a neighborhood that was not so lucky. While the building was not certified to the Passive House standard, certain Passive House design elements may have played a role.

Michael Eliason, who you might remember from our PHN Presents: Building for People webinar last December, spoke with Kriston Capps about the Palisades house. Eliason explains how smoke is becoming more and more of a problem in areas like the Pacific Northwest, and how Passive House can help.

Passive House Rocky Mountains member Johnny Rezvani spoke with the CBS Evening News on how Passive House can prevent fire embers from catching on the structure. The article and video also covers the rebuilding efforts in the Boulder, Colorado area following the 2021 Marshall Fire.

Realtor.com reports on Passive House principles, methodologies, and strategies for fire resilience. They spoke with Passive House Accelerator Director Zack Semke on how Passive House can protect the health and well-being of occupants and prevent interior smoke damage.

Andrew Michler, Passive House Rocky Mountains leader, spoke to Marketplace on how Passive House can “load the dice in our favor” when it comes to wildfire resilience. He stresses that entire communities can benefit from making their homes as airtight as possible, with a simpler form, lowering the chances that fire will catch. Learn more by reading the article or listening to the podcast.

On January 8th, as the LA wildfires raged on, California’s Codes and Standards presented their first update of proposed measures under consideration for the 2028 energy code. Policy Director Bronwyn Barry published an overview on our blog, highlighting smoke-tight measures that could help prevent future wildfire damage.

Months before the LA wildfires ignited, Passive House Rocky Mountains member Mark Attard spoke to the Wall Street Journal about how his home was protected from the Marshall Fire and how he could return amid a power outage to comfortable temperatures despite the freezing Colorado nights.

Late last year, we profiled six compelling reasons on why Passive House is the obvious choice for homeowners and developers looking to create safe, healthy, comfortable housing that’s also incredibly efficient. Beyond fire resilience, Passive House is poised to drive future property value, ensure chapter energy costs, and help to fast track grid-friendly modernization. Check out the full list.