Living in a woodland community requires careful planning to protect homes and property from wildfires. Learn how to live safely in the wildland/urban interface area by becoming a Firewise Community.
During the past century, the United States population has nearly tripled, with much of the growth flowing into traditionally natural areas. This trend has created an extremely complex landscape known as the wildland-urban interface. Encroaching development into forests, grasslands, and farms has put lives, property, and natural resources at risk from wildfire.
Living in a house surrounded by nature and woodlands can be peaceful and beautiful, but it can also be risky. Many newly rural residents bring with them a “back-to-nature” philosophy that leads them to leave the property around them as undisturbed as possible. This mindset often leads to insufficient access roads and hazardous fuel conditions very close to homes, creating a dangerous situation for the homeowners and firefighters in the event of a wildfire. Unfortunately, once a wildfire ignites, firefighters are limited in what they can do to protect valuables in its path.
Learn more about the becoming a Firewise Community.
Take action now to make your community Firewise.
Financial assistance may be available for hazard mitigation through the Firewise Virginia Community Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.
Additional Resources
For additional information about the Firewise Communities/USA program, view the National Fire Protection Association’s Frequently Asked Questions.
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