About Orchard Springs Firewise Community

Our world is becoming very dry and warm, and the environment around us is much more flammable than in past years. Every fire season, we face a very real danger of total disaster, like the one in Paradise, and the River Fire that ended one property from the Chicago Park Store on August 4, of 2021. We can start with ourselves, but our success depends upon those around us, hardening their homes and land to withstand fire and embers.

There is power in numbers and many benefits to being a certified FireWise Community, such as grants to pay for projects, fire insurance discounts (10% offered by California Fair Plan), and helping people who cannot help them selves. It’s takes years to chip away at the hazardous ladder fuels around the home and make defensible space a priority, and its hard work, but every step you make is worth it. All of the time, expenses, and work you do will apply towards maintaining our certification.

Our region is considered a high-risk area. It is divided into 3 sections, and currently bounded by Hwy 174, Rollins Lake, and Chattering Pines properties. We started organizing in 2021, achieved Firewise USA certification in 2022, and re-certified in 2023 through 2024. Our board created a 3-year action plan, which guides our continuous improvement. We submit renewal in 2025. State and local fire personnel created our regional risk assessment which is slated for renewal in 2027.

Our goals are to save lives, save homes, save the natural values of the neighborhood, and save money.

Our mission is to organize this Firewise Community centered around the Orchard Springs neighborhood, and to educate and work with community neighbors/members on projects designed to achieve our common goals.