Benefits of FIREWISE FIREWISE activities, if implemented on a broad-scale basis, will lessen the impact of a wildfire on a community, but many of the measures established under the Firewise planning effort might also benefit the community by reducing the impact of other natural disasters!  By incorporating Firewise planning into your community’s existing disaster planning approach, you may see multiple benefits from a single action – perhaps impacting insurance ratings, public safety, natural resources, and government funding.   FIREWISE Communities Brochure Firefighters need your help. Use these tips to PREPARE your home and PROTECT your family and pets. BEWARE of accidentally starting a wildfire!     FIREWISE Construction Checklist There are several things you should consider when constructing, renovating, or adding to a firewise home.  This one page brochure is a checklist of items to keep in mind. Also see "Firewise Landscaping Checklist" for more information.     FIREWISE Construction Considerations Landscaping with fire in mind is a major step toward safety. Firewise home design and improvement also plays an important role in preventing ignitions that could lead to total home loss. For example, strong winds during an extreme wildfire can carry burning embers more than a mile to land on a roof, enter unscreened openings, and collect in the nooks and crannies of a home.     How to Become a FIREWISE Community This converted PowerPoint presentation gives step-by-step guide on how your community can become a firewise community.     How to Create Firewise Community This 8-STEP planning model is descriptive of typical planning processes across the country. Although processes will vary from community to community, this model provides a basic overview of the procedural steps involved in community planning.     Firewise Communities/USA Application Complete this form and submit it to your Firewise State Liaison no later than December 31. The Firewise State Liaison must receive plan revision and event documentation in order for Firewise processing to occur. Firewise Communities/USA participants are given credit for work completed during the calendar year.     Firewise Communities/USA Renewal Form Complete this form and submit it to your Firewise State Liaison no later than December 31. The Firewise State Liaison must receive plan revision and event documentation in order for Firewise processing to occur. Firewise Communities/USA participants are given credit for work completed during the calendar year.       Additional Resources: Firewise Community The national Firewise Communities program is a multi-agency effort designed to reach beyond the fire service by involving homeowners, community leaders, planners, developers, and others in the effort to protect people, property, and natural resources from the risk of wildland fire - before a fire starts. Interface South Interface South is the component of the USDA Forest Service, Centers for Urban and Interface Forestry (CUIF), that focuses on wildland-urban interface (WUI) issues. This website is dedicated to heightening awareness of and providing information about WUI issues.