At Firebrand Resiliency Collective (FRC), we are proud to be a certified regional coordinator for the nationally recognized Firewise USA® Program, a role that enables us to support communities in Southern Oregon to become more resilient in the face of wildfire. The Firewise USA Program encourages neighbors to work together to reduce wildfire risks, helping communities become better prepared and more resilient.
What Is Firewise?
Firewise USA® is a nationally recognized program that helps communities prepare for and become more resilient to wildfire. At its core, Firewise is about people organizing at the community level to understand their local wildfire risk and take practical, achievable steps to reduce it—together.
Firewise recognizes that wildfire doesn’t stop at property lines. Homes, access roads, shared open space, and evacuation routes are all connected. Firewise helps communities move from individual concern to collective action, building safer neighborhoods and stronger relationships along the way.
By working together, residents assess wildfire risks and implement solutions like:
- Creating defensible space around homes by clearing flammable materials.
- Hardening structures with fire-resistant materials.
- Improving access for emergency responders.
- Promoting fire-resistant landscaping and property retrofits.
By following these guidelines, Firewise Communities not only reduce the risk of property damage during a wildfire but also improve overall community safety and resilience.
How we help
At FRC, Firewise is not a checklist or a one-time certification. It is a relationship-based, community-led process that builds capacity over time.
When we work with a community, our role includes:
- Community Engagement & Organizing (Community Listening Session)
- Wildfire Risk Education
- Risk & Resource Mapping
- Developing a Community Action Plan
- Supporting Implementation
- Home Wildfire Risk Assessments
Our goal is not just Firewise recognition—but durable, community-held wildfire readiness.
Email us at to get started on your Firewise USA® journey today!
Mountain View Estates in Talent Oregon was the first manufactured home park to become Firewise USA® certified within the Almeda fire scar.
This video from the NFPA does a great job of explaining some of the ignition hazards around homes and highlights some of the focal points of the mitigation work we promote through the Firewise USA® program.