BERKELEY FIREWISE ALLIANCE
Firewise groups help communities get organized and find direction for their wildfire safety efforts. They provide resources and guidance to mitigate the risk of wildfire damage and create a safer environment for everyone. Join us in making our community fire-adapted and prepared.
About Berkeley Firewise Alliance
The Berkeley Firewise Alliance is a network of certified Firewise USA groups in the Berkeley Hills dedicated to the creation of more firesafe communities.
The goal of an alliance of neighborhoods is to create contiguous firesafe communities that observe the defensible space and home hardening strategies supported by fire science and the experience gleaned from recent urban wildfires.
Neighbor groups working together to be prepared.
What is Firewise USA
Firewise USA is a countrywide program led by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). It promotes collaboration among neighbors, local fire departments, and grassroots organizations to improve the fire resistance of homes and surroundings.
Cal Fire’s Community Wildfire Preparedness Division supports the program as part of its statewide wildfire preparedness strategy and helps communities in California achieve Firewise recognition.
Ready to start a Firewise community in Berkeley?
To achieve recognition as a Firewise site, neighbors organize, map out a site, and start the step-by-step process to apply for recognition.
But first...do you live in a Berkeley Firewise community? There are currently 13 Firewise communities in Berkeley recognized by the national organization. To find out whether you live in one, see this map.
Becoming a recognized Firewise USA site is a process and a goal. Are you ready to form a working group with neighbors to:
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Map out the boundaries of your site
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Develop your wildfire risk assessment
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Create you action plan ... and maintain it
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Reach out to your community
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Document your "investment" in wildfire risk reduction
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Prepare your application to Firewise USA
Quick search for all Firewise USA® sites
-find your home
Use Firewise USAs interactive map to access spatial information about where Firewise USA® sites are located and learn where wildland fires are occurring within the United States at any given time. All layers are interactive and have an associated ‘pop-up’ with attribute information.
Meet the Berkeley Fire Department's FireSafe team
Berkeley is at high risk of wildfire because of its topography, winds, and adjacent wildland areas. The increased threat is magnified by dense housing, abundant vegetation next to homes, and narrow roads. "Our goal is for firefighters and residents to work together to transition Berkeley into a FireSafe community.” David Sprague, Fire Chief, Berkeley Fire Department