Firewise is a national program created by the National Fire Protection Association that addresses the risks of homes to wildfire in the wildland/urban interface. It encourages local community-based solutions for wildfire safety, with the goal of reducing home ignition due to wildfire. Firewise emphasizes homeowner responsibility and provides the framework for education dissemination, community partnerships, and local actions that support community wildfire safety efforts. Truckee Fire Protection District is working as a partner with the community to establish Truckee as a nationally recognized Firewise Community.

Current Firewise Communities In The Truckee Fire Protection District: Donner Crest, ECBRT Summit, Floriston, Glenshire/Devonshire, Gray’s Crossing, Juniper Hill, Kingvale, Lahontan, Martis Camp, Martis Peak, North Fork American River Basin, Old Greenwood, Ponderosa Ranchos, Pine Forest, Pla Vada Woodlands, Ponderosa Palisades, Ponderosa Ranchos, Prosser Lakeview, Schaffer’s Mill, Serene Lakes, Sierra Meadows, Sugar Bowl, Tahoe Donner, The Boulders, Towle Mountain, and West end Donner Lake.

Communities Compatible with Nature Brochure

Eastern Regional Firewise Coalition

Steps to Achieving National Recognition:

Wildfire Risk Assessment
Completing a written wildfire risk assessment is the first step in becoming a nationally recognized Firewise USA® site. Contact your Firewise liaison for the state’s requirements on developing a risk assessment.

Board/Committee
Form a board/committee comprised of residents and other applicable wildfire stakeholders. This group will collaborate on developing the site’s risk reduction priorities and they will develop a multiyear action plan based on the assessment, along with overseeing the completion of the annual renewal requirements.

Action Plan
Action plans are a prioritized list of risk reduction projects developed by the participant’s board/ committee for their site. Plans include recommended home ignition zone projects, educational activities and other stakeholder outreach efforts that the site will strive to complete annually or over multiple years.

Educational Outreach
Each participating site is required to have a minimum of one wildfire risk reduction educational outreach event, or related activity annually.

Wildfire Risk Reduction Investment
At a minimum, each site is required to invest the equivalent value of one volunteer hour per dwelling unit in risk reduction actions annually. A wide range of qualifying actions and expenditures (contractor costs, rental equipment, resident activities, grants, etc.) comprise the overall investment totals.

Application
Applicants begin the overall process by creating a site profile at: Portal.firewise.org. The application is eligible for submission when the overall criteria is completed.

State liaisons approve applications with final processing completed by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Please note: Individual states may require additional application requirements beyond those of the national program.