CONTACT: CAL FIRE PIO (916) 651-3473 Calfire.dutypio@fire.ca.gov

Suzi Brady, CAL FIRE Siskiyou Unit Fire Prevention Specialist II, (530) 598-2622  

RELEASE DATE: September 9, 2024

Sacramento - For the second time this year, California has set a record for the most wildfire prepared communities in the nation. The City of Dunsmuir has been announced as the 900th Firewise USA® community in the state. This community is the first approved Firewise Community in Siskiyou County. This recognition by the National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®) highlights the commitment the community has taken to ensure that wildfire risk is reduced in their city and that residents are prepared. 

“A major aspect of our wildfire preparedness strategy for the past couple of years has been to work closely with communities to assist them in earning the NFPA Firewise USA® community recognition. Reaching the 900th community mark within a few months of the 800th community mark is a major accomplishment statewide,” said Chief Daniel Berlant, State Fire Marshal. “While we celebrate the recognition of this specific community, we are grateful for all 900 communities throughout the state who have worked hard to prepare their neighborhoods for wildfire and have received this designation.” 

The Firewise USA recognition program is administered by the National Fire Protection Association. Individuals and communities participate on a voluntary basis and are recognized as a Firewise Community upon the completion of certain tasks. The tasks include forming a committee of residents and other wildfire stakeholders, obtaining a written risk assessment form, developing a three-year action plan for the community, including hosting an outreach event and ultimately completing their application to become a Firewise Community.  

The City of Dunsmuir is a well-prepared and organized Firewise Community that encompasses the city itself and the Fire District extending from the Shasta County line to the Dunsmuir Airport. Stephen Decatur, the Resident Leader, serves as the Hazard Mitigation Planner for the City of Dunsmuir and is funded through the CalOES JumpStart Program. The Firewise Community board includes the Dunsmuir Fire Chief and a representative from the Siskiyou County Fire Safe Council. 

The Siskiyou County Fire Safe Council, in partnership with Community Organized Relief Effort, has already completed a project clearing defensible space around 48 homes of low-income residents in Dunsmuir and currently has a fuel reduction and large-scale California Environmental Quality Act project in progress that is setting the stage for future funding to implement community level fuel reduction.  

“Our community is low-income and socially vulnerable, so we hold a twice-annual Green Waste Day, where we offer free green waste disposal for wildfire mitigation work,” said Resident Leader Stephen Decatur. “We even organize volunteers to pick up green waste piles for people who don't have vehicles or the ability to transport the material. We also have great partnerships with the Siskiyou Fire Safe Council and Shasta Valley Resource Conservation District, and both of these groups are working to obtain grant funding to do wildfire mitigation and home hardening work for our low-income households.” 

To learn the steps and begin the process of becoming a California Firewise Community, visit: https://readyforwildfire.org/prepare-for-wildfire/firewise-communities/.  

See photos from the 900th Firewise Community Event in Dunsmuir HERE.

###