Many of us remember clearly the Wind Complex fires when the McCourtney Fire and the Lobo Fire burned in our community. That same night, four people died in the Cascade and LaPorte fires in Yuba County and 22 people died in the Sonoma Complex Fire (Nuns, Tubbs, and Pocket Fires) which burned over 110,700 acres in Sonoma and Napa counties. The nights of October 8 and 9, 2017 are etched in my memory. 

While we have incredible resources locally, the intensity of our fires is increasing. What can we do to protect our loved ones, our homes and our neighbors?

Did you know that Nevada County currently has 104 registered Firewise Communities, with 30 more in the assessment process. This image below shows us sandwiched between the Larkspur Lane, 6B and Friends and Sherwood Forest Firewise neighbors. 

What is involved becoming a Firewise Community?

• Survey the neighborhood to gauge interest in participating
• Organize a committee of 5-6 neighbors
• Determine the geographic boundaries of the region
• Notify the Fire Safe Council of our intention to apply to become a Firewise Community  
• Schedule neighborhood fire hazard analysis
• Review hazard report and submit plan to mitigate issues with homeowners

What would it take for Starbright Acres and neighbors to become a Firewise Community? Are you interested in getting involved? We are in the starting phase of organizing and are gauging interest. 

For more information, check out: 

• How to Become a Firewise Community in Nevada County
• Nevada County Coalition of Firewise Communities
• Interactive County Map of Firewise Communities
• Fire Safe Council
• NPFA website

Please reach out if you have questions.

Frieda Nixdorf – friedalouise@gmail.com

Note: the information you provide below will not be shared out or used for any other purposes beyond organizing our Firewise Community.

(McCourtney Fire images: Union / Elias Funez)