As California’s population grows, we are forced to build homes in less populated areas with more land. These developing areas spill into forests, high brush zones and wildfire areas.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) created the Firewise program to bring communities, homeowners, businesses, tribes, local government and officials together to create and implement a plan to prepare for wildfires.
The goal is to teach people how to live with wildfire exposures and work together by taking action to prevent loss. Wildfires are inevitable; however, if a community is properly prepared, properties, resources and human/animal lives can be protected and (hopefully) spared from damage.
At Einhorn Insurance, we work with homeowners in Firewise Communities. Many of these residents are insured through California Fair Plan (CFP) and receive a Firewise Community discount on their home insurance policy (about a 7% discount).
In most cases, Einhorn Insurance can offer comprehensive coverage by combining a California Fair Plan policy with a Difference in Conditions (DIC) policy. A CFP policy can cover damage from Fire, Lightning, Internal Explosion, Smoke, Wind, Hail, Riot, Vandalism, Malicious Mischief, Aircraft and Vehicles. The DIC policy covers items such as water damage (the #1 reason for home insurance claims), liability (someone gets hurt at your property) and theft. The 2 policies combined mimic a traditional home insurance policy.
For many property owners with properties in higher fire risk areas, California Fair Plan is the best option. The CFP policy is a great choice when written by an agent that understand the policy’s coverages to properly insure a property and its specific property characteristics. We have reviewed thousands of quotes and policies given to homeowners by other agents and were shocked at how poorly the amount of poorly written quotes have been presented. In our opinion, the common mistakes are when agents either don’t include necessary coverages and/or don’t offer enough coverage.
If you would like a California Fair Plan and Difference In Conditions quote, please visit Einhorn Insurance at https://einhorninsurance.com/wildfire-insurance/. Please let us know if you live in a Firewise Community.
Learn More – How To Make A Wildfire Evacuation Checklist
What is the Primary Focus of a Firewise Community?
- Firefighter Safety- Work directly with firefighters to develop emergency plans.
- Community Planning- Firewise Community Workshops prepare community leaders (planners, business leaders, HOA members and emergency service professionals, etc.) to recognize fire hazards, make homes and landscapes Firewise, deliver educational material to property owners/residents and implement these strategies into the community.
- Landscaping- Create defensible space around homes by thinning or removing trees/brush and choosing fire resistant plants.
- Construction and Design- Use fire resistant building materials (i.e. boxed eaves, fire-resistant roof materials, etc.). Build homes and buildings away from slopes where the wind pattern directs a fire towards the structures.
Learn More – What Is Home Hardening?
HOW CAN MY AREA BECOME A FIREWISE COMMUNITY?
Step 1: Form a Committee. It’s most effective when this group consists of local property owners and other wildfire related individuals (local fire department, state forestry agency, elected officials and if you are in a HOA, the property management company). This committee will define/create the community’s boundary and size. This is known as the Firewise “site.” Firewise sites require a minimum of 8 single family dwellings and a maximum of 2,500. Several sites can make up one community.
Step 2: Plan The Community.
Community must obtain a written wildfire risk assessment from their fire department or state forestry agency. This assessment will outline where that community is successful in reducing wildfire risk and show where there is room for improvement. Due to the continuing changes regarding wildfires, this document will need to be updated every 5 years. Some states may even have a template they can follow (provided by Firewise USA).
In addition to the assessment, an action plan will be created to prioritize a list of risk reduction projects and/or investments for the community. This plan will also outline actions needed to be taken by property owners and education activities that participants will try to complete within a certain time frame. Action plans are to be updated every three years.
Step 3: Spread The Word & Volunteer Time
To get other homeowners in the designated site area involved, create an event to educate neighbors on which items need to be address along with the action plan that needs to take place.
In order to qualify to become a Firewise community and remain “In Good Standing,” a time and expense investment needs to take place in relation to each home located in the site. At a minimum, each site must annually invest one hour of volunteer work per home in that site. If there are 50 homes in the site, each property owner must volunteer 1 hour per year on a “wildfire risk reduction effort” activity. The monetary equivalent of 1 hour of work also satisfies this requirement.
These activities include, but are not limited to:
- Collaborating with forestry, fire and related experts to make the area safer.
- Improving and maintaining one’s home and outbuildings to minimize fire risk exposure.
- Coordinate projects and/or meetings (i.e. a wildfire educational presentation).
- Offer training/education on topics (i.e. fire preparedness or teach about fire-resistant plant species/vegetation management, etc.).
- Donate equipment/materials/services or lower the cost to create fire safe areas. This can include offering equipment to help create a fire resistant community, free/low cost dumpster rentals, free/low cost compostable lawn or leaf bags, reduce contractor costs to clean up an area, provide free or discounted stone/gravel to replace mulch, etc.
Step 4: Submit your application to Firewise USA
To become a fire safe community, apply online (www.portal.firewise.org) and provide the specific details summarizing your communities fire prevention actions and efforts. Once the application has been completed and submitted, state liaisons will review and approve applications. Final processing will be completed by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
Check the link below for a current list of participating Firewise Communities in California. https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/Fire-causes-and-risks/Wildfire/Firewise-USA/Firewise-USA-Resources/Firewise-USA-sites/State-listing-of-participants
For more information about NFPA’s Firewise program, visit https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/Fire-causes-and-risks/Wildfire/Firewise-USA
California
Alpine Meadows, Alpine Meadows, Placer County
Alta, Alta, Placer County
Alto Sutton Neighborhood, Mill Valley, Marin County
Ananda Village, Nevada City, Nevada County
Atlas Peak, Napa, Napa County
Auburn Lake Trails, Cool, El Dorado County
Aukum FairPlay, Mount Aukum, El Dorado County
Bahia , Novato, Marin County
Bald Hill , San Anselmo, Marin County
Barbara Lane & Stanley Dr., Auburn, Placer County
Baron Canyon Ranch/Indian Knob, San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo County
Bear River Pines HOA, Grass Valley, Nevada County
Bear River Ranch Area, Grass Valley, Nevada County
Bennett Ridge, Santa Rosa, Sonoma County
Berry Creek, Berry Creek, Butte County
Beverly Hills, Beverly Hills, Los Angeles County
Big Bar & Big Flat, Junction City, Trinity County
Big Bear City, Big Bear, San Bernardino County
Big Bear Lake, Big Bear Lake, San Bernardino County
Big Rock Mesas Property Owners Association, Malibu, Los Angeles County
Big Trees POA, Arnold, Calaveras County
Black Bart Trail, Redwood Valley, Mendocino County
Black Point and Green Point, Novato, Marin County
Blackhawk/Black Oak Ridge Estates HOA, Foresthill, Placer County
Blithedale Highlands Owner’s Association, Mill Valley, Marin County
Blue Lake Springs 14, 15, 16 Subdivision, Arnold, Calaveras County
Blue Lake Springs HOA, Arnold, Calaveras County
Blue Rock NRG, Larkspur, Marin County
Burnt Ranch, Burnt Ranch, Trinity County
Cambria, Cambria, San Luis Obispo County
Campolindo Drive / Paseo Grande, Moraga, Contra Costa County
Cañon Village, Fairfax, Marin County
Canyon Rim HOA , Auburn, Placer County
Carbon Canyon, Brea, Orange County
Carnelian Woods Townhouse Association, Carnelian Bay, Placer County
Carroll Ranch, Moraga, Contra Costa County
Cascade Canyon, Fairfax, Marin County
Cascade Shores, Nevada City, Nevada County
Cascadel Woods, North Fork, Madera County
Castle City Mobile Homes, Newcastle, Placer County
Cedarview, Twain Harte, Tuolumne County
Cerro Vista, Applegate, Placer County
Chemeketa Park, Los Gatos, Santa Clara County
Chester, Chester, Plumas County
Church St and Walters Way, Foresthill, Placer County
Circle Oaks, Napa, Napa County
Clear Creek, Westwood, Lassen County
Clearlake Riviera Community Association, Kelseyville, Lake County
Cobb Mountain Group 2, Cobb, Lake County
Cobb View, Cobb, Lake County
Coffee Creek, Trinity Center, Trinity County
Concow/Yankee Hill, Oroville, Butte County
Country Houses HOA, Camp Connell, Calaveras County
Darkhorse HOA, Auburn, Nevada County
Day Lassen Bench, McArthur, Shasta County
De Silva Island Homeowners Association, Mill Valley, Marin County
Deer Creek Southside, Nevada City, Nevada County
Deer Park, Fairfax, Marin County
Deer Ridge HOA, Auburn, Placer County
Descanso Emergency Planning Group/Fire Safe, Descanso, San Diego County
Dias Dorados/La Cintilla/Camino Sobrante, Orinda, Contra Costa County
Dominican / Black Canyon, San Rafael, Marin County
Douglas City, Douglas City, Trinity County
Eaglecrest HOA, Foresthill, Placer County
East Dalewood Dr., Dalewood Ter., Fallen Leaf Ter., Orinda, Contra Costa County
East Orange County Canyons, Silverado, Orange County
Edgewood Cypress, Mill Valley, Marin County
El Cerrito 1, El Cerrito, Contra Costa County
El Rancho Loma Serena HOA, Mountain Ranch, Calaveras County
Feather Falls, Oroville, Butte County
Feather River College, Quincy, Plumas County
Fir Avenue Woodacre, Woodacre, Marin County
Flying Y Ranch, , Marin County
Foothill Communities Association, Santa Ana, Orange County
For(r)est Ave Area, Fairfax, Marin County
Forbestown, Forbestown, Butte County
Forest Meadows, Murphys, Calaveras County
Forest Ranch, Forest Ranch, Butte County
Fountaingrove II, Santa Rosa, Sonoma County
Foxwood-Slate Creek, Grass Valley, Nevada County
Friends of Banner Mountain , Nevada City, Nevada County
Frost Hill, Dutch Flat, Placer County
Galeppi Ranch, Quincy, Plumas County
Gazebo’s, Grass Valley, Nevada County
Glenshire / Devonshire Residents Association, Truckee, Nevada County
Glenwood Neighborhood, San Rafael, Marin County
Glenwood-Maidu-Charlene, Grass Valley, Nevada County
Gold Mountain, Portola, Plumas County
Gold Springs Ranch (GSR), Columbia, Tuolumne County
Golden Oaks Association, Grass Valley, Nevada County
Graeagle Fire Protection District, Blairsden, Plumas County
Grand Oaks Homeowners Association, Auburn, Placer County
Greater Alta Sierra, Grass Valley, Nevada County
Greater Cement Hill Neighborhood Association, Nevada City, Nevada County
Greater Champion Neighborhood, Nevada City, Nevada County
Greenhorn, Grass Valley, Nevada County
Greenhorn Creek, Quincy, Plumas County
Grizzly Flats, Grizzly Flats, El Dorado County
Grizzly Ranch Association, Portola, Plumas County
Grizzly Ridge HOA, Arnold, Calaveras County
Hamilton Branch/East Shore, Westwood, Plumas County
Harbor Hill HOA, Tiburon, Marin County
Hawkins Bar, Salyer, Trinity County
Hayfork, Hayfork, Trinity County
Heritage Ranch HOA, Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo County
Hidden Valley Lake, Lower Lake, Lake County
Hidden Valley Neighborhood Response Group (HVNRG), Corte Madera, Marin County
Highland/Hillcrest Terrace, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County
Holiday Lake Estates, Morgan Hill, Santa Clara County
Homestead Valley, Mill Valley, Marin County
Honeydew, Petrolia, Humboldt County
Hyampom, Hyampom, Trinity County
Hyatt-Blue Sage, North San Juan, Nevada County
Hydesville, Hydesville, Humboldt County
Indian Valley, Novato, Marin County
Jackson Oaks HOA, Morgan Hill, Santa Clara County
Janesville, Janesville, Lassen County
Johnsville Valley, Johnsville, Plumas County
Jones Bar, Nevada City, Nevada County
Jones Creek Crossing, Middletown, Lake County
Junction City, Junction City, Trinity County
Juniper Hill, Truckee, Nevada County
Kearsarge Mill, Alta, Placer County
Kent Woodlands, Kentfield, Marin County
Kent/Palm Neighborhood, Mill Valley, Marin County
Klette’s Pride Way, North Fork, Madera County
Kneeland Fire Protection District, Kneeland, Humboldt County
Lahontan Community Association, Truckee, Placer County
Lake Almanor Country Club, Lake Almanor Country Club, Plumas County
Lake Almanor Pines, Westwood, Plumas County
Lake Almanor West, Chester, Plumas County
Lake Forest, Susanville, Lassen County
Lake Mont Pines HOA, Arnold, Calaveras County
Lake Nacimiento, Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo County
Lake of the Pines, Auburn, Nevada County
Lake Shore Park Homes-Bass Lake, Bass Lake, Madera County
Lake Vera-Round Mountain, Nevada City, Nevada County
Lake Wildwood Association, Penn Valley, Nevada County
Lakehills/SouthPointe, El Dorado Hills, El Dorado County
Lakeridge Oaks HOA, El Dorado Hills, El Dorado County
Lakeview Hills Homeowners Association, Granite Bay, Placer County
Las Cumbres, Los Gatos, Santa Cruz County
Las Ventanas Ranch, Arroyo Grande, San Luis Obispo County
Lewiston, Lewiston, Trinity County
Little Valley , Little Valley, Lassen County
Loch Lomond Highlands HOA, San Rafael, Marin County
Logtown, , El Dorado County
Lookout/Lookout Ranchettes, Lookout, Modoc County
Los Lagos, Granite Bay, Placer County
Los Ranchitos, San Rafael, Marin County
Los Robles Mobile Home Park, Novato, Marin County
Lower Colfax, Grass Valley, Nevada County
Lower Edgewood, Mill Valley, Marin County
Lower Montgomery Estates, South Lake Tahoe, El Dorado County
Lucas Valley Homeowners Association, San Rafael, Marin County
Mad River, Mad River, Trinity County
Madera Del Presidio II, Corte Madera, Marin County
Madrone Canyon NRG, Larkspur, Marin County
Manor Hill, Fairfax, Marin County
Manzanita Ridge, Meadow Vista, Placer County
Marin Valley Mobile Country Club, Novato, Marin County
Marinview Community Association, Mill Valley, Marin County
Mark Twain – Sierra, Twain Harte, Tuolumne County
Marsh Drive Homeowners Association, Mill Valley, Marin County
Martinez, Martinez, Contra Costa County
Martis Camp Community Association, Truckee, Placer County
Matilija Canyon Properties, Ojai, Ventura County
Meadow Oaks HOA, San Rafael, Marin County
Meadow Valley, Meadow Valley, Plumas County
Meadowcrest Ridge (Corte Madera), Corte Madera, Marin County
Meadowlands of Marin, Fairfax, Marin County
Meadowmont Subdivision, Arnold, Calaveras County
Meadowview Townhouses HOA, Arnold, Calaveras County
Merry Mountain Village, Clipper Mills, Butte County
Michigan Bluff, Foresthill, Placer County
Middle Ridge Homeowners, Mill Valley, Marin County
Milford, Milford, Lassen County
Mill Valley Meadows HOA, Mill Valley, Marin County
Mill Woods, Arnold, Calaveras County
Mineral and Mill Creek , Mineral, Tehama County
Mira Monte, Tuolumne, Tuolumne County
Mohawk Vista, Mohawk Vista, Plumas County
Mont Marin San Rafael Park, San Rafael, Marin County
Monte Verde Estates, Foresthill, Placer County
Montezuma Ridge West, Nevada City, Nevada County
Mountain Lakes Estates, Nevada City, Nevada County
Nicasio, Nicasio, Marin County
North Fork American River Basin, Truckee, Placer County
Northstar, Truckee, Placer County
Novato Chase, Novato, Marin County
Novato Heights, Novato, Marin County
Oak Manor Ridge, Fairfax, Marin County
Oak Springs Summit-Woodside, San Anselmo, Marin County
Oakmont Village Association, Santa Rosa, Sonoma County
Old Emigrant Pioneers, Pioneer, Amador County
Old Highway Neighborhood, Quincy, Plumas County
Olive Orchard, Auburn, Placer County
Orinda Wilder, Orinda, Contra Costa County
Orleans, Orleans, Humboldt County
Outer Jackass Flats, Nevada City, Nevada County
Pacheco Valle, Novato, Marin County
Palm Hill NRG, Larkspur, Marin County
Paradise Park, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County
Paradise Ranch Estates, Inverness, Marin County
Partridge Knolls, Novato, Marin County
Petrolia, Petrolia, Humboldt County
Pine Mountain Estates, Willits, Mendocino County
Pinebrook Subdivision, Arnold, Calaveras County
Pleasant Hill Road Association, Lincoln, Placer County
Plumas Eureka Community Services District, Blairsden, Plumas County
Pollock Pines-Camino Fire Safe Council, Camino, El Dorado County
Ponderosa Ranchos, Truckee, Placer County
Portola, Portola, Plumas County
Portola Valley Ranch, Portola Valley, San Mateo County
Post Mountain, Hayfork, Trinity County
Prospect Heights, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County
Rafael Highlands, San Rafael, Marin County
Ranchita Estates, Arroyo Grande, San Luis Obispo County
Rattlesnake Ridge Estates, Grass Valley, Nevada County
Redwood Estates , Los Gatos, Santa Clara County
Redwood Valley/Chezem, Blue Lake, Humboldt County
Ridge View, , Placer County
Ridge View Woodlands, Rough and Ready, Nevada County
Ridgewood 108, Sonora, Tuolumne County
Riva Ridge HOA, Los Gatos, Santa Cruz County
River Valley, Portola, Plumas County
Riverwood HOA, Carmichael, Sacramento County
Riviera Heights HOA, Kelseyville, Lake County
Riviera West, Kelseyville, Lake County
Robie Point and Gold Street, Auburn, Placer County
Saddleback HOA, Auburn, Placer County
Salmon Mine – East Sages, Nevada City, Nevada County
Salyer, Salyer, Trinity County
San Francisco Boulevard, San Anselmo, Marin County
Santiago Canyon Estates , Silverado, Orange County
Schaffer’s Mill Golf and Lake, Truckee, Placer County
Scott Highland Neighborhood, Mill Valley, Marin County
Scott Valley HOA, Mill Valley, Marin County
Sea Pointe Estates, San Clemente, Orange County
Seigler Springs , Loch Lomond, Lake County
Seneca, Canyondam, Plumas County
Serene Lakes Property Owners Association, Soda Springs, Placer County
Shasta Forest Village, Shingletown, Shasta County
Shelter Cove, Whitethorn, Humboldt County
Shelter Ridge HOA, Mill Valley, Marin County
Sherwood, Willits, Mendocino County
Sherwood Forest, Grass Valley, Nevada County
Sierra Foothills Estates, Auburn, Placer County
Sierra Knolls, Grass Valley, Nevada County
Sierra Sky Ranch and Fire Safe Council, Oakhurst, Madera County
Silverado Property Owners , Napa, Napa County
Silverleaf, Foresthill, Placer County
Sleepy Hollow, San Anselmo, Marin County
Sleepy Hollow HOA, Colfax, Placer County
Sloat – Cromberg – Camp Layman, Cromberg, Plumas County
Smith Creek Ranch Association, Graeagle, Plumas County
Spalding, Susanville, Lassen County
St James Ct/Van Ripper/Van Tassel, Orinda, Contra Costa County
Stonebridge, Nevada City, Nevada County
Stones-Bengard, Susanville, Lassen County
Sugar Bowl, Norden, Placer County
Sugar Pine Mountain, Auburn, Placer County
Sundown; Silver Oak; Orinda View; Honeywood, Orinda, Contra Costa County
Sunny Oaks/Bayhills, San Rafael, Marin County
Sunset Ridge Road, , Santa Cruz County
Susanville, Susanville, Lassen County
Tahoe Donner Association, Truckee, Nevada County
Tam Valley, Mill Valley, Marin County
TELLARA, Sonora, Tuolumne County
Terraces, Sausalito, San Francisco County
The Cedars, Grass Valley, Nevada County
The Sea Ranch, Sea Ranch, Sonoma County
Tiger Tail, Orinda, Contra Costa County
Timberview Area Improvement Council, Inc., North Fork, Madera County
Toller Ridge Court, Nevada City, Nevada County
Town of Washington, Washington, Nevada County
Trailhead Estates, Foresthill, Placer County
Trinity Center, Trinity Center, Trinity County
Troy Estates, Magalia, Butte County
Upper Deerwood Neighborhood, Ukiah, Mendocino County
Upper Rough and Ready, Rough and Ready, Nevada County
Upper Sequoia Park, San Anselmo, Marin County
Via Farallon/La Cuesta, Orinda, Contra Costa County
Volcanoville, Georgetown, El Dorado County
Walden Woods, Granite Bay, Placer County
Walgra Meadows, Meadow Vista, Placer County
Weaverville, Lewiston, Trinity County
West Dalewood, Coachwood, Red Coach, Yarrow Valley, Mossbridge, Orinda, Contra Costa County
West end of Donner Lake, Truckee, Nevada County
Western Drive, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County
Western Oaks Village , Novato, Marin County
Whitmore, Whitmore, Shasta County
Wild Horse Valley, Novato, Marin County
Willow Creek, Willow Creek, Humboldt County
Willow Evac, Fairfax, Marin County
Winchester Community Association, Meadow Vista, Placer County
Wolf Creek, Clearlake Oaks, Lake County
Wolf Mountain, Grass Valley, Nevada County
Woodhaven Road, Ross, Marin County
Yolansdale Fire Safety Group, San Anselmo, Marin County
You Bet, Grass Valley, Nevada County
