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Where We Live. How We Live.

About Firewise

The national Firewise Communities program is a multi-agency effort designed to reach beyond the fire service by involving homeowners, community leaders, planners, developers, and others in the effort to protect people, property, and natural resources from the risk of wildland fire - before a fire starts. The Firewise Communities approach emphasizes community responsibility for planning in the design of a safe community as well as effective emergency response, and individual responsibility for safer home construction and design, landscaping, and maintenance.

The national Firewise Communities program is intended to serve as a resource for agencies, tribes, organizations, fire departments, and communities across the U.S. who are working toward a common goal: reduce loss of lives, property, and resources to wildland fire by building and maintaining communities in a way that is compatible with our natural surroundings.

Firewise Communities is part of the National Wildland/Urban Interface Fire Program, which is directed and sponsored by the Wildland/Urban Interface Working Team (WUIWT) of the National Wildfire Coordinating Group, a consortium of wildland fire organizations and federal agencies responsible for wildland fire management in the United States. The WUIWT includes: USDA Forest Service, USDI Bureau of Indian Affairs, USDI Bureau of Land Management, USDI Fish and Wildlife Service, USDI National Park Service, Federal Emergency Management Agency, US Fire Administration, International Association of Fire Chiefs, National Association of State Fire Marshals, National Association of State Foresters, National Emergency Management Association, National Fire Protection Association.

What's New:

Backyards and Beyond+ Backyards & Beyond - Join us for the 3rd biannual Backyards & Beyond Conference in Tampa, Florida November 6-8, 2008. Pre-Conference Workshops November 4-5. Don't miss this opportunity to be a part of a conference devoted toward W/UI issues with one of the most diverse audiences. Over 70 sessions to choose from. Learn more.

+ July/August Newsletter - The newsletter is a bi-monthly electronic publication offering interesting articles, news, and information about the Firewise Communities program.

+ June-August Wildfire News & Notes - An electronic newsletter providing information and news to wildland firefighters and agencies where the primary focus is controlling or suppressing wildland fires.

+ Firewise Wiki - We invite you to visit Firewise's new 'wiki'-style glossary. The glossary contains wildland/urban interface wildfire terms, and is interactive. You can update it or add to it yourself.

+ Firewise Blog - Read all about a pilot Fire Camp for middle-schoolers on Orcas Island!

+ Assessing Wildland Hazards in the Home Ignition Zone Training - Are you looking to bring your group up to speed on the home ignition zone and prepare them to conduct community assessments? Firewise On-site workshops offer you the flexibility to choose the time and place that is most convenient for you and your group at your facility or another facility of your choice. For more information or to start the process, call either Cheryl Blake @ 617-984-7444 or Linda Coyle @ 617-984-7486.

+ Firewise Photo Gallery - Visit the all-new Firewise Photo Gallery for downloadable pictures of Firewise communities, fire-resistant landscaping and construction practices, and Firewise projects. The Gallery is housed in 'Firewise You Can Use'.