1. Will this cost me money or raise my taxes?
No. Becoming a Firewise Community does not cost property owners anything in dues, fees, or taxes. The program is entirely voluntary and run by neighborhood volunteers. Any safety improvements you choose to make to your own property are completely up to your personal budget and timeline.
2. Is this like an HOA? Are there new rules or fines?
Absolutely not. We are not creating a Homeowners Association, and nobody is going to inspect your property to hand out fines, citations, or violations. The Firewise program is strictly about education, community support, and financial incentives — not enforcement.
3. What is actually required of me?
To maintain our official status each year, our neighborhood must collectively meet a minimum investment of time or money toward wildfire safety. The good news is you are likely already doing this work.
- What counts: Raking pine needles, clearing brush, limbing up trees, trimming propane tank clearings, cleaning gutters, or hiring a contractor to do fuel reduction on your lot.
- What we need from you: We just need you to log your hours or expenses once a year via a quick form linked on this website. If you spend two hours raking your driveway, that counts! If you spend $200 on a tree service, that counts!
4. What are the benefits to me as a property owner?
- Insurance Discounts: In California, many major insurance providers — including State Farm, USAA, Mercury, and the California FAIR Plan — offer explicit discounts on your homeowners insurance premium just for living in a certified Firewise Community.
- Leverage for Better Infrastructure: Becoming an organized community gives us a unified voice to tackle localized safety gaps, like our current hydrant project.
- A Safer Neighborhood: Wildfire doesn't care about property lines. When your neighbors clear their brush, it directly protects your home — and vice versa.