Firewise USA® - Los Altos Hills County Fire District

What is Firewise?

Wildfire threat is year-round! Residents need to be ready and prepared, and communities need to be resilient. Neighbors helping neighbors – this is what Firewise USA® is all about. Based on fire science, the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) Firewise USA recognition program teaches residents how to join together as a Firewise site, preparing themselves, their homes, and their properties against the threat of wildfire. LAHCFD is here to support your efforts to build safer neighborhoods that can reduce risks and losses resulting from wildfires.
Learn more on the NFPA site

Click to enlarge map. Firewise USA Communities in the Fire District are shaded in green.

Benefits of Becoming Firewise

Firewise sites promote a culture of readiness and action that will save lives and homes in the event of a wildfire. Working together to identify risks and solve problems, the neighborhood takes on projects that may be overwhelming alone, including neighborhood clean-up days and evacuation drills. Neighbors look out for one another and help those who need assistance with emergency preparation.

Steps to Becoming a Firewise Community

Form a board/committee comprised of residents and other wildfire stakeholders. (Minimum of 8 parcels to start)
Create a Firewise USA® Portal account and submit an application to your state Firewise USA liaison.
Obtain a wildfire risk assessment from the Fire Department.
Host a minimum of one wildfire risk reduction educational outreach event, or related activity.
Develop a multi-year action plan based on the site’s risk reduction priorities.
Meet the minimum wildfire risk reduction investment.

Could you be missing out on a home insurance discount?

CA Board of Forestry Fire Risk Reduction Community List

If you live within the Los Altos Hills County Fire District, you may qualify for home insurance discounts or other underwriting benefits.

The Fire District was recently approved to be added to the California Board of Forestry- Fire Risk Reduction Community List. The California Department of Insurance “Safer From Wildfires” regulations in Title 10, Section2644.9(d), require insurance companies to use a rating plan that take into account and reflects whether a structure is in a Fire Risk Reduction Community.

Additional discounts or benefits may also be available from your insurance company from the California Department of Insurance “Safer From Wildfires” regulations if you’re a member of one of the eleven Fire District’s Firewise USA® Communities (See LAHCFD Firewise USA Map).

Ask your insurance provider if you qualify for these discounts.

Please refer to the documents below for more information. If you have questions about this information, please email the Fire District at [email protected].