• A Description of the Napa Firewise Program
• A Perspective On Wildland Fires
• The Urgency of Firewise In Napa County
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Firewise Recommended Plants
• When Wildland Fire Approaches -- Checklist

A Description of the Napa Firewise Program

Napa Firewise is a community-based fire awareness program designed by city and county fire professionals to educate the residents of Napa County on the dangers wildland fire poses to them and their community. The program also provides specific steps each person can take to protect themselves, their family and their neighbors in the event a wildland fire occurs.

The Napa Firewise program is patterned after the national Firewise Communities program that has roots in a national fire prevention effort begun in the early '90s by the National Fire Protection Association.

The National Firewise Communities program (www.firewise.org) 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. The Firewise Communities approach emphasizes community responsibility for planning in the design of a safe community, as well as effective emergency response and individual responsibility for safer home construction and design, landscaping, and maintenance.

A Perspective on Wildland Fires

Wildland fire is an essential, natural process. Fire has helped shape our wildlands for thousands of years and is important for the survival of many plants and animals. Fire reduces accumulation of vegetation that can inhibit plant growth, and some plants and animals depend on fire for survival.

Society’s influence has altered the historic fire cycle, leading to a dangerous and difficult buildup of vegetation in our wildlands. Social and cultural approaches to wildland fire over the past century have focused on preventing and suppressing ALL wildland fire. As a result, wildland fires today have become much more difficult to manage and are threatening residential areas that border wildland areas.

The National Fire Protection Association estimates that more than 30,000 homes have been lost to wildfire since the 1970s. Federal taxpayers have paid out an estimated $40 billion in suppression costs, while the insurance industry has paid claims in excess of $10 billion. In 2003, the Cedar fire in San Diego County recorded over 2,000 homes destroyed, nearly 300,000 acres burned and 16 lives lost.

In Napa County we have been keeping fire records since the '50s. Sine 1950, over 250,000 acres have burned, nearly one half of the entire county.

The Urgency of Firewise In Napa County

As in the rest of California and most of the US, fire suppression and control have been the priority in Napa County for many years. The result is a considerable buildup of vegetation in high-risk areas such as the east, west and northern boundaries of the county. In addition, population growth has caused communities to merge with higher-risk wildlands. Neighborhoods like Browns Valley, Montecito Heights, Berryessa Highlands and Angwin are prime examples of the migration outward of our urban centers into what we call wildland urban interface areas or WUI. As a result, wildland fire now has a path into the very heart of our communities.

Given our fire history in California and in Napa County, the eventuality of a wildland fire happening in our communities is great. It’s not if, it’s when.

Fortunately for us, the Napa Firewise program can give us the opportunity to prepare for the inevitable. The time to act is now.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Napa Firewise?

Napa Firewise is a fire awareness program designed to educate the residents of Napa County on the dangers wildland fires pose to them and their community. The program also provides specific steps each person can take to protect themselves, their family and their neighbors should a wildfire occur.

2. Why are you doing this program now?

The National Fire Protection Association estimates that more than 30,000 homes have been lost to wildfire since the 1970s. Federal taxpayers have paid out an estimated $40 billion in suppression, costs, while the insurance industry has paid claims in excess of $10 billion. In 2003, the Cedar fire in San Diego County recorded over 2,000 homes destroyed, nearly 300,000 acres burned and 16 lives lost. The total acres burned are nearly equivalent to the total acres in Napa County.

Napa County is especially vulnerable to fire given its vast wildland areas, large amounts of fire-prone vegetation and windswept terrain. It’s just a matter of time before Napa County has a major wildfire.

3. How does the chipping program work?

As part of creating a 100 foot defensible fire zone around homes and outbuildings, residents in selected areas are encouraged to take advantage of a free chipping program to dispose of unwanted brush. The program will require that the brush be brought to the nearest road location, where it will be chipped and returned to the resident for use as compost or mulch.

4. Will I be charged to participate in the chipping program?

No, the program is free to the residents of designated areas.

5. How can I arrange for a Chipping Visit? 

Go to the Chipping Reservation form or call 707.967-1426.

6. What is defensible space?

Defensible space, sometimes known as survivable space, is an area 100 feet in diameter around your home or structure where combustible fuels (grass, brush, low-hanging limbs, woodpiles, etc.) have been significantly removed or reduced. This includes the home ignition zone (10 feet) where all flammable vegetation and materials have been removed, and the defensible space zone (10 to 100 feet) where fire has a difficult time spreading and where firefighters can safely defend your structure.

7. Does defensible space mean everything must go?

No, defensible space is not “clear-cutting” or the removal of all vegetation. Creating defensible space involves removal of obvious hazards and the altering or staggering of vegetation to slow the progress of a fire. This could be as simple as replanting with fire-resistant plants, moving a woodpile or cutting back a stand of dry brush.

8. Is the Firewise defensible space program mandatory?

The program is voluntary at this time. However, at some time in the future, if property owners do not comply with fire codes that require a defensible space perimeter around their homes and buildings, compliance can be imposed at a cost to the property owner. It is the hope of the program creators that property owners will take the initiative because they believe the program has value to them and their community.

9. Will the Firewise program result in reduced insurance costs?

Since the 1970s, the insurance industry has paid out over $10 billion in wildfire claims. You can bet they are interested in any programs that reduce wildfire-related losses.

10. Who are the stakeholders in this program?

Stakeholders are made up of the community and include:

• Residents and Homeowners
• Homeowner Associations
• Building Associations
• Landscape Associations
• Nurseries and Gardening Groups
• Architects
• Planners
• Insurance Industry
• Banking and Financial Institutions
• County Agriculture Commission
• Farm Bureau
• Bureau of Land Management
• Environmental Organizations
• Local Media
• Local Schools and Colleges
• Napa Valley Vintners and Growers

11. Who is responsible for the Napa Firewise program?

Napa Firewise is a collaboration between Napa County and the various city governments within the county. Kate Dargan, Napa County Fire Marshal, and Darren Drake, Division Chief and Fire Marshal for the City of Napa, direct the day-to-day activities of the program.

12. Where can I get more information about Napa Firewise?

Information on Napa Firewise can be found on the Napa County website at www.co.napa.ca.us or by calling 707-967-1426. Look for the Napa Firewise logo.

13. Do I live in a high-risk area? How can I tell?

You can find copies of County risk maps online at www.co.napa.ca.us or you can call 707-967-1426 and a Firewise staff person will help answer your question.

14. When is wildfire season?

While fires can occur at any time, especially when the hot dry Santa Ana winds drive from the north or northeast to create ideal conditions for a major wildland fire of the kind that destroyed 1,600 homes in Oakland in 1991 and nearly 2,000 homes in San Diego in 2003. And let’s not forget the Berryessa and Atlas Peak fires in 2000 and the big Atlas Peak fire in 1981.

15. Where can I get a list of fire-resistant plants?

A list of fire-resistant and water-saver plants can be found on the Napa Firewise website, under the “Media” tab, at www.co.napa.ca.us, or by calling Napa Firewise at 707-967-1426. Ask for a copy of the “Living With Fire In Napa County” brochure. Landscaping and plant information is also available at Below.

16. What are the most at-risk neighborhoods for wildland fire in Napa County?

The following neighborhoods and communities are especially vulnerable to wildland fire because of the type and abundance of fire fuels, terrain characteristics, fire department response time, and water availability.

Alta Heights/Montecito
Browns Valley
Alston Park
Dry Creek/Lokoya
Angwin
Berryessa Highlands
Berryessa Estates
Linda Falls/Angwin
Deer Park
Wild Horse

Gordon Valley
Mount George
Soda Canyon

Circle Oaks
Atlas Peak

17. What does WUI stand for?

WUI is an acronym for Wildland Urban Interface. This is an area where the rural wildland environment merges with residential development and urban living. A good example in Napa County is Browns Valley and Montecito Heights. These neighborhoods are relatively close to the city center, yet remote enough to enjoy the natural beauty of grasslands and forest-like settings.

18. What can I do if a wildfire strikes my area?

1. Have an evacuation plan for you and your family, including your pets.
2. Follow the instructions of your local fire officials.

19. Who is paying for the Firewise program?

The simple answer is your tax dollars are. These come in grants from the Federal Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) plan and matching grants and resources from State and local governments. Approximately $500,000 has been raised in grant and matching funds for this program during the first two years. Additional grant and matching fund requests will be developed as the program proceeds.The goal of the 5-year program is to become sustainable through community ownership, grants and private contribution.  Napa Firewise is now a 501(c)(3) foundation, and contributions are tax free.

Firewise Recommended Plants

Although there are no fireproof plant materials, the following is a list of some fire-resistant plants recommended for landscaping in high-risk fire areas. It should be pointed out that landscape maintenance is far more important to fire prevention than the selection of plant materials. When planning your landscape, consider the characteristics of the site such as slope and the amount of precipitation your site receives in making the final plant selection. When in doubt, ask your local nursery for a recommendation.

Excerpted in part from Pyropytic Vs. Fire Resistant Plants
by Ray Moritz & Pavel Svhra

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When Wildland Fire Approaches – Check List

Being prepared with a plan is the first line of defense. Here are the steps to take in the event a wildland fire threatens your home or neighborhood:

Call 911 if you feel you are in danger

Evacuate, if possible, all family members not essential to protecting the house. Evacuate pets as well.
Contact a friend or relative and relay your plans.
Make sure family members are aware of a prearranged meeting place.
Tune in a local radio station and listen for instructions.
Place valuable papers and mementos in the car.
Place vehicles in the garage, have them pointing out, and rollup the windows.
Close the garage door, but leave it unlocked. If applicable, disconnect the electric garage door opener so that the door can be opened manually.
Place combustible patio furniture in the house or garage.
Shut off propane at the tank or natural gas at the meter.
Wear only cotton or wool clothes. Proper attire includes long pants, long-sleeved shirt or jacket, and boots. Carry gloves, a handkerchief to cover face, water to drink, and goggles.
Close all exterior vents.
Prop a ladder against the house so firefighters have easy access to the roof.
Make sure that all garden hoses are connected to faucets and attach a nozzle set on “spray.”
Soak rags, towels, or small rugs with water to use in beating out embers or small fires.
Inside, fill bathtubs, sinks, and other containers with water. Outside, do the same with garbage cans and buckets. Remember that the water heater and toilet tank are available sources of water.
Close all exterior doors and windows.
Close all interior doors.
Open the fireplace damper, but place the screen over the hearth to prevent sparks and embers from entering the house.
Leave a light on in each room.
Remove lightweight and/or non-fire-resistant curtains and other combustible materials from around windows.
If available, close fire-resistant drapes, shutters, or Venetian blinds. Attach pre-cut plywood panels to the exterior of windows and glass doors.
Turn off all pilot lights.
Move overstuffed furniture (e.g. couches, easy chairs, etc.) to the center of the room.
Keep wood shake or shingle roofs moist by spraying water. Do not waste water. Consider placing a lawn sprinkler on the roof if water pressure is adequate. Do not turn on until burning embers begin to fall on the roof.
Continually check the roof and attic for embers, smoke or fire.