What is Firewise?
Firewise is a mindset, along with pre-fire actions to reduce wildfire vulnerability.
Wildfire is a recognizable danger our community faces. The build-up of combustible fuel, drought, and other hazardous conditions have increased the potential for wildfires in our area. During a major wildfire, it is unlikely there will be enough firefighting resources available to defend every home. Unfortunately, many homeowners are unaware of the risks or ill-prepared for a major wildfire. Our ability to live safely in a fire vulnerable area depends on individual residents’ engagement in ‘Be Firewise’ and the community’s pre-fire actions. A Community Firewise Committee may take a comprehensive approach to reduce wildfire vulnerability through collaboration with Yavapai Firewise, AZ-DFFM (Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management), local fire fighters, and your local Community Association (if any).
What is a Firewise Site?
The Firewise-USA™ program provides a collaborative framework for neighbors to reduce wildfire risks at the local level, access to resources, and recommendations for pre-fire action steps toward reducing vulnerability to wildfire. These recommendations include mitigating identified vulnerabilities within the community, checklists for pre-wildfire / pre-emergency preparedness, building ideas, and information for residents to reduce the potential for structural ignitions. Each Firewise Site is expected to craft a Community Wildfire Protection Plan to clarify our goals, strategies, and action steps.
