The Napa Communities Firewise Foundation (Napa Firewise) is a nonprofit dedicated to reducing wildfire risk and strengthening community resilience across Napa County. Our mission is twofold: to reduce hazardous fuels through strategic mitigation projects, and to empower residents through education and outreach. In doing so, we also help restore forests, improve ecological health, and safeguard Napa’s landscapes for future generations.

We work in partnership with local Fire Safe Councils, CAL FIRE, Napa County, and other agencies to deliver measurable results. This work is made possible through local, state, and federal grants, along with community and private support.

Defensible space is the buffer you create between a structure and the grass, trees, shrubs, or wildland area that surround it. By reducing flammable vegetation and managing fuels around your home and structures, you give firefighters a safer space to defend and greatly improve the chance your home will survive a wildfire.

At Napa Firewise, we provide guidance, resources, and cost-share programs to help residents create and maintain effective defensible space. Learn more here ⟶

The State of California now requires homeowners to maintain 100′ of defensible space around all structures. Napa County has instituted a Fire Hazard Abatement Ordinance which includes property inspections and potential fines for non-compliance.

Defensible Space Official Guidelines

For more information on firewise landscaping and firewise plants, please read our information on Defensible Space.

“WUI” is an acronym for Wildland Urban Interface. This is an area where the rural wildland environment merges with residential development and urban living. In Napa County, examples of WUI neighborhoods include Browns Valley and Montecito Heights, areas close to city centers yet surrounded by grasslands and forested landscapes. Because of the increased risk, WUI areas may be subject to specific building codes and defensible space requirements designed to make homes and communities safer.

View Napa County’s WUI map as part of our Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP)

The County of Napa and Napa County Fire Department offers free curbside chipping (March–October) for residents in the unincorporated areas. The intent of the program is to encourage residents to comply with defensible space requirements and help reduce wildfire risk around their homes and property.

For residential use only, no commercial clearing. Visit countyofnapa.org/chipping to make a reservation and view criteria.