Firewise Communities
What is Firewise?
Firewise USA is a nationally recognized program that provides a collaborative framework to help neighbors get organized, find direction, and take action to decrease the risk of wildfires within the community.
How to Start One
Learn How to Start a Firewise(PDF, 3MB)
Program Benefits
Learn About Wildfire
As communities go through the process, they learn about wildfire risks in their community and the measures they can do to reduce them. Firewise Communities connect with experts - local fire fighters, state forestry professionals, and national researchers - to continue to learn about fire and find resources to accomplish fire-safe actions.
Get Peace of Mind
Communities who work with experts to learn about wildfire and take action start to see results within their community. Knowing that they are using the best information available and taking steps to reduce the risk of wildfire helps people start to feel safer in their community. Knowing that they are using the best information available and taking steps to reduce the risk of wildfire helps people start to feel safer in their community and in their homes. Having a plan for what to do in the event of a fire also helps people become calmer and more prepared to act quickly.
Community-Building
As neighbors get together to do work, often meeting one another for the first time, they build a strong bond with each other. Actively working together towards a common cause for the food of the community, strengthens ties and can benefit residents in many ways. This is especially helpful during an emergency.
Access to Funding and Assistance
Preference may be given to Firewise communities over other candidates when allocations of grant funding is available for wildfire safety or fuel mitigation projects. Some organizations tend to have more confidence in communities that have demonstrated the foresight of becoming a recognized Firewise community.
Possible Insurance Discounts
The California Department of Insurance recognizes Firewise USA as one of the steps for the state's Safer From Wildfires Program. The creation of Firewise communities under this program may help homeowners qualify for an insurance discount.
Contact Your Coordinator Below to Get Started
West Slope Regional Coordinator
Tanya Harlow
tanya.harlow@edcgov.us
Tahoe Basin Regional Coordinator
Jason Brand
fire@tahoercd.org
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