Forest Fire_Content Page_Firewise USA

Firewise USA

Here are some of the benefits of becoming a Firewise Community.

  • Creates defensible space, preventing fires from advancing and endangering buildings and lives
  • Results in faster fire suppression, keeping fires smaller
  • Concentrates efforts on fighting wildfires rather than devoting often limited resources to protecting buildings
  • Strengthens relationships between local firefighters and property owners
  • Offers peace of mind, knowing that your neighborhood is doing what it can to protect itself

Reasons To Join

  • Your neighborhood is within a designated Community at Risk to wildfire.
  • Organization leaders and property owners are concerned about the impacts of wildfires.
  • Your neighborhood, fire department and local DNR forestry managers are committed to the recognition process.

Investment

Each year, your organization selects a wildfire risk reduction project to pursue and can apply for grant funds. The funds require a 50:50 cost share. The time and effort participants put into their projects is most often their 50% match.

The time invested by committee members to create and implement an action plan builds and strengthens partnerships that are especially helpful during an emergency.

Being a Firewise participant rarely costs money. It does require an ongoing investment in volunteer time.

Steps To Becoming A Recognized Firewise USA Site

  1. Generate neighborhood interest and contact your local DNR office to get started.
  2. Form a Firewise Committee of neighborhood representatives.
  3. Work with the DNR and local fire department to complete a wildfire risk assessment.
  4. Based on wildfire risk assessment results, the Firewise Committee creates an action plan.
  5. Complete a wildfire risk reduction project.
  6. Apply for Firewise recognition.
  7. Complete at least one project annually to maintain recognition status.

Project Examples

The Firewise Committee determines your annual project. One project per year is required to earn and maintain Firewise USA recognition status.

  • Firewise workshop or presentation
  • Curbside chipping of brush
  • Common area brush cleanup
  • Educational materials
  • Homeowner wildfire risk assessments