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Firewise USA

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


Firewise Communities Currently Being Assessed:

The communities below are considered currently being assessed. 

  • 6B Ranch and Friends
  • Bitney Springs Firewise Community
  • Bonanza Way Road Committee
  • Buck Mountain Road Association
  • Cook Road Association
  • Cruzon Grade
  • Dalmation Drive
  • Deer Creek Southside
  • Echo Ridge Neighborhood
  • Foxwood Estates
  • Harmony 
  • John Born Road
  • Kentucky Flat
  • Lightning Tree Road Association
  • Lodestar HOA
  • Maidu Trail Neighborhood
  • Pine Forest
  • Pla Vada
  • Ranch Road HOA
  • River Ranch/Frontier Road Association
  • Robinson - Byron - Brem
  • Scotts Flat Pines Neighborhood
  • Sierra Knolls HOA
  • Slate Creek Road Neighborhood
  • Squirrel Creek Ranches HOA
  • Tahoe Mountain - Grays Crossing
  • Tahoe Mountain - Old Greenwood
  • Tumbling Creek Neighborhood
  • Washington - Hill
  • West End Donner Lake
  • West Sages
  • Wolf Creek Lodge Co-Housing

 

Firewise Communities "In-Training"

The communities below are considered "in training" and working on the elements necessary to become a certified NFPA Firewise Community.

  • Cole Country Estates 
  • Cottage Hill
  • French Coral
  • Jack Pine Road
  • John Born Road
  • Grizzly 
  • Lightning Tree Road 
  • Lodestar
  • Maidu Trail Neighborhood
  • Martis Peak
  • Osborne Hill
  • Penn Valley
  • Pine Cone Circle
  • Ponderosa Road
  • Sunnyvale Road
  • Wampum- Lovell
  • West Main
  • Wildwood Heights
  • Willow Valley Road
  • Wolf Creek Lodge Cohousin
  • Freeman


 Nevada County Firewise Community Map