MOFN Adds Neighborhoods
As the Eaton and Palisades Fires swept through the suburban neighborhoods in Southern California, residents of Moraga and Orinda found themselves asking if this could happen in their own community. For many, that answer was a resounding, “Yes.” In response, many residents took the important step of organizing their neighbors and established NFPA recognized Firewise USA neighborhoods. In 2025, MOFN added nine new neighborhoods, raising the number from 35 to 44.
New Neighborhoods APPROVED in 2025 (added 556 dwelling units):
1. Acacia Drive / Hacienda Circle: North Orinda, 62 dwelling units
2. Ashbrook Place: Moraga, 29 dwelling units
3. Hall Drive Firewise: South Orinda, 70 dwelling units
4. La Noria: North Orinda, 34 dwelling units,
5. Paseo de Moraga HOA: Moraga, 88 dwelling units,
6. Rheem Zander South: South Orinda / Moraga, 273 dwelling units,
MOFN helps new Firewise Neighborhoods by:
Meeting with interested resident(s) to explain the benefits of creating a Firewise USA Neighborhood. This includes providing current MOFN Leaders to speak at neighborhood “block parties” to explain to your neighbors benefits and actions to “become” Firewise.
Providing guidance on how to create the boundary of a new Firewise neighborhood. Residents of homes that share the same roads or streets to evacuate in an emergency are natural starting points for identifying a new Firewise Neighborhood boundary.
Provide guidance on how to organize a new neighborhood via a Firewise committee that typically utilizes Block Captains. Block Captains Coordination with the Moraga-Orinda Fire District (MOFD) to perform a neighborhood risk assessment that is required for the new neighborhoods Firewise USA application.
Coordinates with the Moraga-Orinda Fire District (MOFD) to conduct a Risk Assessment walk through your new neighborhood. The information provided to neighbors who attend this walk will be documented in the Firewise Risk Assessment document prepared by the new neighborhood Firewise Leader, supported by MOFN.
Supports the neighborhood Firewise Leader in preparing the 3-Year Action plan and other information included in the Firewise USA application.
MOFN helps existing Firewise Neighborhoods by:
Sharing wildfire prevention resources and best practices, coordinating efforts among Firewise Leaders across the Moraga-Orinda Fire District. MOFN holds bi-monthly Leaders meeting throughout the year to share information and coordinate efforts.
Outreach and education to residents within MOFD boundaries who currently are not in a Firewise Neighborhood. We actively support new neighborhoods and expanding existing neighborhoods.
Support and staff Wildfire Prevention Education and Outreach events in coordination with MOFD, City of Orinda and Town of Moraga.
Volunteer support of the MOFD Fire Adapted Community Ambassador (FAC-A) Program. This program, created in 2022 and managed by MOFD, provides all Moraga and Orinda residents with free wildfire prevention home assessments and information about home hardening improvements.