Guest editorial: Placer is No. 2 in nation in Firewise Communities

The Greater Auburn Area Fire Safe Council (GAAFC) is here to serve you. We are providing articles to help us all be more fire safe. In these days of increasing fire danger, a national program was developed called Firewise USA®. It's a voluntary neighbors-helping-neighbors initiative. We are currently assisting residents in starting their own Firewise Communities. If interested in learning more, please contact us at auburnfiresafecouncil@gmail.com. Firewise Communities: • Are completely voluntary and are based on education. • Education includes actions to increase your home's chances of surviving a wildfire. • The goal is to reduce wildfire risk in your area. • There are no inspections or mandatory actions you need to take for your home or property. • No information will be sent to your insurance company or fire department. • Can be as small as eight homes. • Some communities are HOAs; others are started by neighbors. • The California Fair Plan offers a 10-percent discount to participants in a Firewise Community. Other agencies may offer discounts. Placer County ranks second in the nation for the number of active Firewise Communities. Nevada County is first. California is nearing 800 active communities with 92 in Placer County with additional communities working on certification. The 12 active communities are in the Greater Auburn Fire Safe Council area: Edgehill, Placer Canyon View, Olive Orchard (Aeolia Heights), Greater Robie, Duncan Hills Road, Meadowbrook, Grand Oaks HOA, Vintage Oaks, Monticello, Falcons Point, Canyon Rim and Awali Heights. There are 11 communities in North Auburn/Ophir Fire Safe Council, 12 in Foresthill Fire Safe Council and 17 in Placer Sierra Fire Safe Council. To view a map of the active communities, visit https://ready-placer.hub.arcgis.com/pages/764b5434241344fc842a5449a3903ce4 Let us know if we can provide further information: greaterauburnfiresafecouncil@gmail.com. Jan Foster is a member of the Greater Auburn Fire Safe Council and is a leader in her Firewise Community.