First Firewise USA® Community in the Lake Tahoe Basin

Years of efforts to reduce the vulnerability of homes and landscapes to wildfire has
earned Carnelian Woods Townhouse Association, Firewise USA® recognition status
from the National Fire Protection Association. Carnelian Woods completed a rigorous
set of criteria to become a participant in the national program.

“We are very proud that we’ve achieved the Firewise USA® designation. Reducing the
risk of wildfire can only be accomplished when we all work together,” said Celia Barry,
Carnelian Woods Board Member. She hopes that other communities in the Lake Tahoe
Basin will join the Firewise USA® program to help prevent wildfires in Lake Tahoe.

Tahoe Resource Conservation District’s Fire Adapted Communities Coordinator, Carlie
Murphy, illustrates the need for community outreach and education when working with
neighborhoods, “One of the most effective tools for bringing a neighborhood-wide
program into your community is ensuring there are plenty of opportunities for
individuals to ask questions and get involved in the process.” Murphy also emphasized
that there is no better time for neighborhoods to prepare for wildfire. Learn more about
what you can do to prepare for wildfire at tahoe.livingwithfire.info.

“Prepared, informed, engaged and proactive communities must take the responsibility to
mitigate their wildfire risk head-on, and understand that we all live, work and play in a
fire-dependent ecosystem. Communities must take responsibility, while working with
local Fire and Resource Conservation agencies, to help engage and inform community
members that it is imperative to work towards a common goal of meeting defensible
space requirements on all properties, as well as emphasizing the necessity of emergency
preparedness,” states North Tahoe Fire Protection District’s Defensible Space Inspector,
Eric Horntvedt.

Carnelian Woods worked with North Tahoe Fire Protection District and the Fire Adapted
Communities Program (through Tahoe Resource Conservation District) to complete a
community wildfire hazard assessment and develop an action plan that will guide their
efforts to reduce risks to residents and their homes. Implementation of their plan has
begun and will continue as part of the program’s annual renewal requirements.

Firewise USA® is a nationwide program that provides formal recognition to
communities implementing actions to protect people and properties from the risk of fire
in the wildland/urban interface. Participants reduce their wildfire risks by actively
participating in the program and completing requirements each year.
Communities interested in participating in the Firewise USA® program can learn more
at www.firewise.org/usa.

________________________________________________________________________________________

The Tahoe Network of Fire Adapted Communities is an alliance of organizations working to reduce wildfire risk in the Lake Tahoe Basin. It is made up of fire protection districts, land management agencies, and engaged communities. The Network focuses on these objectives: 

Connect residents and fire protection districts to create defensible space.

Educate residents to become knowledgeable and capable citizens in the face of wildfire threat.

Empower leaders to organize their communities and build resilient communities. 

Signup for the Tahoe network of Fire Adapted Communities monthly newsletter.