Firewise USA
Firewise Communities USA
How To Become a FireWise Community brochure
In 2008, the board of directors of the Fire Safe Council of Nevada County voted to change their mission to include promotion, development, and retention of formal Firewise Communities in Nevada County.
Why? Scientific research has proven that when adequately prepared, a house has a better chance to withstand a wildland fire without the intervention of fire suppression services. And when firefighters do make a stand to save a home, Firewise Communities provide a safer working environment to help make a nearly impossible job possible.
The goal is to encourage and acknowledge action that can minimize home loss to wildfire. It teaches you to prepare for a fire before it occurs. It teaches you to work together as a community to address wildfire. The program adapts especially well to small communities, developments, and residential associations of all types, but can work for any neighborhood where motivated homeowners band together to create a safer environment.
Briefly, being a Firewise Community involves:
- Forming a committee to maintain the Firewise Community USA program and tracks its progress or status.
- Observe a Firewise Communities USA Day each year that is dedicated to a local Firewise project. This can take the form of a potluck with a speaker and literature, a workday for clearing roadsides, or other events.
- Invest a minimum of $2.00 per capita annually in Firewise projects in your neighborhood. This is NOT a cash investment -- hours worked by volunteers on clearing roadsides, creating defensible space, etc. have a dollar value -- currently about $24/hour -- you can track and count toward the requirement.
- Report annually online to Firewise Communities/USA to document continuing compliance with the program. It's an easy process to fill in the blanks regarding your neighborhood activities, hours spent, etc.
To learn more on how your neighborhood can become a FireWise Community, contact us or visit Firewise USA.
Firewise Communities including both certified and "in training," as of February 2019
- Cascade Shores HOA (2014) Pop=1,000
- Darkhorse HOA, Auburn (2017) Pop=96
- Friends of Banner Mountain (2010) Pop=2,000
- Glenshire-Devonshire HOA (2018) Pop=1,700
- Glenwood-Maidu-Charlene Neighborhood (2014) Pop=175
- Golden Oaks HOA (2013) Pop=75
- Greater Alta Sierra (2012) Pop=8,250
- Greater Cement Hill Neighborhood Association (2012) Pop=600
- Greater Champion Neighborhood Association (2015) Pop=828
- Lake of the Pines Association (2009) Pop=4,996
- Lake Vera Round Mountain (2017) Pop=831
- Lake Wildwood HOA (2007) Pop=5,800
- Lower Colfax (2017) Pop=158
- Mountain Lakes Estates HOA (2010) Pop=96
- Rattlesnake Neighborhood Association (2014) Pop=275
- Rattlesnake Ridge Estates(2013) Pop=30
- Ridgeview Woodlands HOA (2014) Pop=45
- Salmon Mine/East Sages (2018)
- Serene Lakes POA, Placer County (2012) Pop=1,800
- Sherwood Forest (2016) Pop=130
- Stonebridge HOA (2015) Pop=70
- Tahoe-Donner Association 2010) Pop=18,500
- The Gazebos (2016) Pop=102
- Toller Ridge Court (2015) Pop=32
Future Firewise Communities
The communities below are considered "in training" and working on the elements necessary to become a certified NFPA Firewise Community.
- 6B Ranch and Friends
- Ananda Village
- Bitney Springs Firewise Community
- Bonanza Way Road Committee
- Buck Mountain Road Association
- Cook Road Association
- Dalmation Drive
- Echo Ridge Neighborhood
- Foxwood Estates
- Greenhorn Road Association
- John Born Road
- Juniper Hills
- Lightning Tree Road Association
- Lodestar HOA
- Maidu Trail Neighborhood
- Owl Creek/Jones Bar Neighborhood
- Ranch Road HOA
- River Ranch/Frontier Road Association
- Sierra Knolls HOA
- Slate Creek Road Neighborhood
- Squirrel Creek Ranches HOA
- Tumbling Creek Neighborhood
- Wolf Creek Lodge Co-Housing
- Wolf Mountain Road Association
- You Bet Community
View our county Firewise Community FWC County Wide Map