Getting Started with Firewise

What is Firewise and why should I join?

You may have seen 1940s photos of Orinda and Moraga: grasslands and native oak trees. Today it is thick with Monterey pines, juniper, eucalyptus, and other highly-flammable plants that have been added to the landscape over the last 70 years. You may have heard that both Orinda and Moraga include Very High and High Fire Hazard Zones. Our hot weather typically arrives sooner and stays longer each year.  You may have gotten large premium increases from your insurance company, or even been canceled. You may have watched fires in the North Bay and elsewhere over the last few years, thinking “That could be us!”

Firewise is a community-based program, organized by the nonprofit National Fire Protection Association, that helps homeowners learn about the best ways to reduce fire hazards, and how to take action to improve their safety, as a community. We currently have 33 Firewise Neighborhoods (April 2024) representing over 4,000 dwelling units.

Watch this success story of a community that was saved from a wildfire because of their Firewise activities: June 2018 wildfire in Durango, Colorado.

AND, here is a video of Chief Winnacker presenting to our local CERT group everything you need to know about fire preparedness. It’s excellent.

Finally, here is a great webinar about Getting Started with Firewise, which will explain the steps you can take to become a certified group and make your neighborhood safer.

Please join us!