Assessment tool helps residents and communities reduce their wildfire risk
A cornerstone of the Firewise USA® recognition program criteria is completing a wildfire risk assessment. The assessment helps residents and communities understand their wildfire risk and guides them in their future risk reduction efforts.
The Community Wildfire Risk Assessment tool from Firewise USA® reflects current research concerning home destruction versus home survival in a wildfire. By focusing on the threat from embers and surface fires, the assessment tool helps users to look at the:
- General condition of homes: are they made from ignition resistant materials?
- Home ignition zones (Immediate, intermediate, and extended) on the property: are residents reducing and managing vegetation to influence and decrease fire behavior
- Common/open space areas or adjacent public lands: are there any present and how are they being managed?
The tool makes a community’s summary and generated recommendations both easier achieve and apply to its multi-year action plan for risk reduction.
The tool is available to guide residents and communities. States also have the ability to designate their own template and special requirements for Firewise USA® participants. So, before starting, please contact your state liaison to determine their process.
