We are a FireWise Community!

What is Firewise USA?

Firewise USA is a program created by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to support communities in their fire risk reduction efforts. The name Firewise USA is a registered trademark of the NFPA. The Firewise USA program is also co-sponsored by the USDA Forest Service, Department of the Interior, and the National Association of State Foresters. The Firewise USA program was created to support changing conditions in our living environment. Population growth in the United States tripled over the last century. Many people moved into natural areas, away from older cities.

There has been an increase in wildfires, including those caused by lightning strikes, plus the increase in available fuels in our wild lands has added to the severity of wildfires when they do occur. Thus, wildfires are part of our natural environment. It is not a question of “if we will have wildfire?”, but rather when and how well we are prepared for the wildfire. The goal of the program is to stimulate, encourage, and acknowledge community actions that minimize the threat of losses due to wildfire.

The key objective is to reduce risks BEFORE the wildfire comes. Desert Views/Four Peaks has now been formally recognized as a Firewise USA community, which means that our members are actively involved in a process to reduce risk to wildfire.

Congratulations to all of our members for supporting this initiative!

To learn more about Firewise USA, please visit the link below:

https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/Fire-causes-and-risks/Wildfire/Firewise-USA

Helpful Tips to Reduce Wildfire Risk

Keep it "Clean and Green!"

1. It is important to eliminate all dead and dying material from your parcels. This includes mulch that accumulates around plant roots. All of this material would add fuel to fires. Let your irrigation systems keep your vegetation green and healthy. Maintain your landscape frequently.

2. Reduce ladder fuels wherever possible. Fires can quickly spread from tall shrubs to low hanging tree branches in dry conditions. Proper spacing of your landscape elements and frequent maintenance can help to reduce the chance of fire quickly spreading upwards, where winds can pass fire to adjacent parcels and homes.

3. Please refer to the Plant Palette in the Troon Village Association Architectural Review Committee's Standards and Procedures for suitable vegetation to use on your parcels. These plants are known to stay healthy and green in desert environments. Avoid trees, like many ficus species, and tall grasses that quickly create dead branches and ladder material in dry and windy weather.

4. Keeping your roof, eaves, and gutters clean is a critical element of your fire safety plan. Broken tiles, clogged gutters and attic screens, and lack of tile bird screens or tile blocks can make it easy for embers to enter your home or set dead material on fire. Be aware of damage caused by ember blasts.

Ember Blasts and Awareness

1. Many fires spread through hail-like ember blasts from wild land areas to nearby communities. Any ember can also pass from parcel to parcel within the community during a fire and cause serious fire damage before the fire department can react.

2. It is important to eliminate all openings in roof areas so that embers cannot enter your home, or set dry material on fire. Keep all screens and roof vents clean, and be sure that bird screens or stops are installed in tiles. Remove any dead material from your roof areas frequently.

3. Inspect windows, doors, vents, and any other openings in your home walls for possible entry by a fire ember. It may only take one ember to cause serious damage to your home during a fire.

4. Reduce or eliminate all clutter under balconies, deck areas, and other locations near your home. Anything that might contribute to fuel loading during a fire should be moved as far away from your home as practical. This is particularly important for wood piles or fire place stacks.

5. Any use of propane in grills or kitchens should be kept as far away from your home as possible. Safety codes from the City of Scottsdale regarding burying propane gas lines and securing tanks should be strictly followed.

We are a FireWise Community!

What is Firewise USA?

Helpful Tips to Reduce Wildfire Risk

Keep it "Clean and Green!"

Ember Blasts and Awareness

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