Big Horn fire (photo by Mona Devine)
LaVerne Kyriss and Laurie Messick
The SaddleBrooke Firewise teams will recognize National Firewise Preparedness Day, May 2, at the MountainView Clubhouse ballroom between 10 a.m. and noon.
What is Firewise Preparedness Day? Firewise is an initiative aimed at educating communities about wildfire prevention and safety. The program highlights things you can do to protect your home and neighborhood, as well as your family’s safety. Information tables will be available to provide resources and guidance on fire safety at the event.
Why Firewise Matters
Wildfire risk is a growing concern in Southern Arizona. The SaddleBrooke Firewise teams bring residents together to promote proven practices that help protect homes, landscapes, and lives.
Firewise is a national program hosted by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) with support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service and the state Forestry agencies. Firewise is an organized way to identify and become educated about risks for fires both wildland and within communities and then take reasonable actions to reduce those risks to homes and properties.
The two SaddleBrooke HOA Firewise teams are working together to share information and provide educational resources. The first step in getting organized, after getting board approval and forming teams, was to create a Firewise Community Plan describing its geography and vegetation, climate, and resident wildlife. They also summarized recent nearby wildland fire history; community wildfire protection plans and hazard ratings. Finally, the plans highlight community accomplishments, project goals, and investments.
The two teams also developed a three-year action plan that was submitted with their applications for Firewise recognition. These action plans lay out the steps they will take in the community to educate everyone about reducing the risk to homes from wildfires.
They’ve started their education efforts with the Wiseye mascot. The Wiseye mascot helps focus attention to the Firewise community messages.
Did you know?
Studies show that measures taken at home and in the area within one hundred feet of it, known as the Home Ignition Zone, have a significant impact on minimizing damage and loss. Something as simple as having proper landscaping in the five-foot zone around the home can assist in making a dramatic difference in avoiding a catastrophe.
More details are coming soon.
For more information about Firewise, contact the appropriate team lead: Rob Emmett in SaddleBrooke One (eearab@msn.com) and PJ Cathey (pjcathey1@gmail.com) in SaddleBrooke TWO.