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Fresno, CA - California has set another record in its efforts to prepare communities for wildfire with the designation of the State’s 1,000th designated Firewise Community. Table Mountain Rancheria, located in Fresno County, has been announced as the 1,000th Firewise USA® community in the state during this year’s Wildfire Preparedness Week celebration. This recognition by the National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®) highlights the commitment the community has taken to ensure that wildfire risk is reduced and that residents are prepared.
“A main focus of our wildfire preparedness strategy has been our partnerships with diverse communities, including California Native American tribes, to support their NFPA Firewise USA® recognition. The rapid increase from 900 to over 1,000 recognized Firewise communities demonstrates a significant statewide success.” Said Chief Daniel Berlant, State Fire Marshal. “While we celebrate the recognition of this specific community, we are grateful for all 1,000 communities throughout the state who have worked hard to prepare their neighborhoods and communities for wildfire and have received the NFPA Firewise USA® 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 steps to reduce fire risk. The steps include forming a committee of residents and other wildfire stakeholders, obtaining a Community Risk Assessment, developing a three-year action plan for the community, hosting an outreach event, and ultimately completing the application to become a Firewise Community.
For thousands of years, members of the Table Mountain Rancheria have made their homes near the San Joaquin River at Shish Liu, the Chukchansi and Gashowu word for the Table Mountain area. Table Mountain Rancheria was established as a federal Indian reservation in 1916.
To learn the steps and begin the process of becoming a California Firewise Community, visit: https://readyforwildfire.org/prepare-for-wildfire/firewise-communities/.
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