Firewise USA, created by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) in 2002, is a program designed to help communities like Oak Ridge Estates prepare for wildfires. By making small but meaningful changes—such as clearing leaves and needles from roofs or choosing fire-resistant landscaping—we can reduce the risk of wildfire damage and create a safer, more resilient neighborhood. 

How does it work?

Firewise USA operates on two levels: individual property owners and the broader community. For homeowners in Oak Ridge Estates, it starts with simple actions outlined in the Firewise USA Program Toolkit—like skirting trees, replacing bark with rock, removing ignitable features like firewood piles and portable propane tanks, or eliminating dry and dead vegetation.

As a neighborhood, we can come together to form a Firewise USA Site by creating a community committee, mapping the boundaries of Oak Ridge Estates, and conducting a wildfire risk assessment. This assessment will guide the development of a three-year action plan with specific steps to make our community safer. By working on these goals annually and reporting our progress to the NFPA, Oak Ridge Estates can maintain its status as a Firewise USA community. 

What it isn’t

While Firewise USA can help us prepare, it’s not a guarantee that wildfire will never impact Oak Ridge Estates. As Megan Fitzgerald-McGowan, program manager, explains:

“It’s a starting point to engage communities and begin the work—not a promise of being fireproof.”

Why It Matters for Oak Ridge Estates

In California, wildfire preparedness is vital. Across the state, 1,088 communities have taken action by becoming Firewise USA sites. Here in San Luis Obispo County, nine communities—including Cambria, Baywood-Los Osos, and Varian Ranch—are already part of the program. Oak Ridge Estates has the chance to join these forward-thinking neighborhoods by coming together to protect our homes and the land we love.

With our beautiful oak trees and natural surroundings, we have the opportunity to safeguard our neighborhood while preserving the landscape that makes Oak Ridge Estates special. By working together to adapt our properties, create defensible spaces, and implement fire-resilient practices, we can ensure Oak Ridge Estates remains a safe and thriving community.

I look at the program as a way to support my community, possibly increase property values, and perhaps lower my insurance rates.

Let’s take this important step together and make Oak Ridge Estates a shining example of fire-resilient living in San Luis Obispo County!