Fire Adapted Communities

Wildfires do not stop at property boundaries. More than 70,000 communities and 44 million homes are at risk from wildfire in the wildland urban interface (WUI) – where vegetative fuels and the built environment meet. Over the last ten years, more than 35,000 structures were destroyed by wildfires – an average of 3,500 a year.

Pre-fire risk reduction, on a variety of fronts, can help communities adapt to wildfire. Fire adaptation means communities take mitigation actions so they can live with wildfire without harm and without extensive wildfire suppression efforts. The U.S. Forest Service developed, supports, and promotes community fire adaptation.

A key component of community fire adaptation is that there isn’t one silver bullet that reduces risk; there are many tools that, when used together and strategically, reduce risk. And it’s not the responsibility of one agency or group to mitigate; it’s the responsibility of everyone who lives and works in the community. Fire adaptation happens when local multi-jurisdictional stakeholders work together to identify risk, mitigate it, and maintain the work over time. This includes homeowners, land managers, firefighters, business owners and community leaders. Collaboration and relationships are key to improving fire safety.

How to Make It Happen

Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network - fireadaptednetwork.org 
Working with communities across the nation to create a more wildfire-resilient future. A “fire adapted community” consists of informed and prepared citizens collaboratively planning and taking action to safely co-exist with wildland fire.

Defensible Space -  www.fire.ca.gov/dspace In January 2005 a new state law became effective that extended the defensible space clearance around homes and structures from 30 feet to 100 feet. Proper clearance to 100 feet dramatically increases the chance of your house surviving a wildfire. This defensible space also provides for firefighter safety when protecting homes during a wildland fire.

Ready, Set, Go - www.readyforwildfire.org. The details of how to be prepared for a wildfire.

Firewise USA - www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/By-topic/Wildfire/Firewise-USA - NFPA's Firewise USA® program teaches people how to adapt to living with wildfire and encourages neighbors to work together and take action now to prevent losses. Join the growing network of more than 1,500 recognized Firewise USA® sites from across the nation taking action and ownership in preparing and protecting their homes against the threat of wildfire. 

Forest Service "Managing Wildfire"  - www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/fire

Local Fire Safe Councils

• California - www.cafiresafecouncil.org/
• El Dorado County - www.edcfiresafe.org/ - (Includes Grizzly Flats, Georgetown, Pollock Pines, Volcanoville, etc)
• Placer County - www.placer.ca.gov/5721/Fire-Safe-Alliance
• Amador County - www.amadorfiresafe.org/
• Alpine County- www.alpinefiresafecouncil.org/