Bill Groody, president of the Buckingham Homeowners Association and a board member of the Konocti Fire Safe Council, pointed out that in the new map, the entire Buckingham peninsula is in the very high fire area, up from half from the last map. “That is a very significant change.” Groody said he wasn’t there […]
Sound the Alarm: New Illinois Law Requires 10-Year Battery Smoke Alarms to Be Installed in Homes
In 2017, the Illinois General Assembly passed Public Act 100-0200 to update the Illinois Smoke Detector Act. Public Act 100-0200 requires all Illinois single and multi-family homes to have a smoke alarm with a sealed 10-year battery by January 1, 2023. The legislator provided several exceptions to this law—please review to see if your community […]
Fire safety and communication latest topic at meeting of Key Biscayne Condominium Presidents Council (FL)
The Key Biscayne Condominium Presidents Council (KBCPC) members meet regularly to discuss topics affecting the island’s condominiums. Topics addressed include insurance, security, fire safety, reserve spending, engineering studies), association budgeting, electric vehicle charging, storm water drainage, and more. Read the article………………………..
Increase the Defensibility of Your Home with These Crucial Fire Safety Products (CO)
There is no way around it — Boulder County is wildfire territory. Although we can neither predict nor control Mother Nature, there are some steps homeowners can, and should, take to harden their homes against fire damage. Some of the important first steps include clearing your gutters of leaves and other flammable materials, maintaining your […]
Colorado’s wildfire risk is so high some homeowners can’t get insured. The state may create last-resort coverage.
Some Colorado homeowners are telling state regulators and lawmakers that they can’t secure coverage for their homes because of rising wildfire risk Read the article………………………..
‘Tis the Season…for Fire Prevention
During the winter months, the rate and risk of residential fires increases. Your condo or HOA is not immune to this. The increase is often attributed to additional electricity use, holiday décor, Christmas trees and the increased use of electric space heaters. Residents and owners need to be sure that they are using common sense […]
Reducing Wildfire Risk: Bella Vista community works to prevent future fires (CA)
Members of the Shasta County Fire Safe council teamed up with the Dusty Oaks Firewise community group on Thursday to take steps to prevent wildfires and limit the fire threat. Read the article………………………..
Fire Sprinkler Retrofits Gain Traction As Building Owners Eye Rising Insurance Costs (HI)
Amid a terse political debate about fire safety in Honolulu, managers in at at least 10 older high-rise buildings in the city are pushing ahead to install fire sprinklers for the first time, according to city records and interviews with condominium associations. Read the article………………………..
Colorado wildfires are making it harder to insure homes. Could a publicly funded plan stave off an insurance crisis?
In the Pine Brook Hills subdivision north of Boulder, homeowners started reporting increasing insurance premiums about two years ago. Families who had bought insurance from the same company for 20 years or longer received notices that their carriers were going to drop them, said Kevin Smith, president of the Pine Brook Hills Homeowners Association. Read […]
Co-op and Condo Boards Begin Tackling Fire Risk From E-Bikes (NY)
Steven Sladkus was eating lunch outdoors at a restaurant on East 52nd Street a few weekends ago when he noticed a commotion down the block. “I saw all these people congregating in front of a highrise building and so many fire trucks it looked like a 10-alarm fire,” Sladkus recalls. “Soon I heard there was […]
Hundreds Of Honolulu Residential High Rises Fail To Meet ‘Acceptable’ Fire Safety Standards (HI)
A new report on the results of comprehensive safety evaluations was recently shared with the Honolulu City Council. Very few high rises have fire sprinkler systems. Read the article………………………..
Red Cross installs more than 60 smoke alarms in Dungeness Meadows (WA)
The effort was “terrific” and “extremely well organized,” said Jane Martin, a volunteer and Dungeness Meadows Homeowners Association board member. “No one could believe it was free,” Pratschner said. Installations were pre-arranged with residents through the Homeowners Association, and volunteers chose Dungeness Meadows — which includes 205 manufactured, mobile and stick-built homes — for the […]
Deep Fried Turkeys: Don’t Let Your Holiday Go up in Flames
A time filled with gratitude, food, and – disaster? The Thanksgiving holiday, with all its warm spirit, can unfortunately bring danger as well, especially when fried turkeys are involved. Thanksgiving leads the holiday season with the most home cooking fires, as there are approximately two to three times more fires on this food-driven holiday than […]
How Your Association Can Promote Fire Safety in Your Community
There are few disasters more devastating than a fire. A fire in one home can domino into a blaze threatening the whole community and displacing many residents in the association. Read the article………………………..
Are Dirty Dryer Vents Posing A Safety Risk to Your Community?
Laundry rooms and dirty dryer vents alone are responsible for thousands of house fires each year, costing up to $75,000,000 worth of damage to people’s homes. These fires are responsible for ruining many lives and causing millions of dollars worth of property damage. These fires stem from the flammability of dryer lint, which can quickly […]
For Ruby Ranch residents, years of advocacy and planning brings wildfire mitigation (CO)
For property owners of Ruby Ranch, years of advocating, planning and work have come to fruition as work crews complete fire mitigation in the wilderness near their homes to limit the risks of wildfire. Read the article………………………..
Malibu Country Estates recognized as ‘Firewise Community’ (CA)
The Malibu Country Estates (MCE) neighborhood, with its 107 homes adjacent to Pepperdine University, was officially recognized as a Firewise community on May 18 by Firewise USA. The program is part of the nonprofit National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and the “Firewise” designation is expected to result in lower fire insurance premiums for individual homeowners. […]
Kohl’s Ranch community gets fire evacuation plan (AZ)
A comprehensive fire evacuation plan was recently presented to the Kohl’s Tonto Creek Subdivision Homeowners’ Association at the summer potluck held July 23. The plan was developed and presented by Bob Higel, who has served as the Firewise chair of the Kohl’s Tonto Creek Subdivision HOA, since 2013. Read the article………………………..
Neighbors band together to evacuate animals during wildfire (TX)
Fire evacuees had to band together to save their beloved animals during the Hermosa Fire last week in Wimberley. “I have quite a few horses, and a couple of mini donkeys and dogs and cats,” said Kellee Ferguson, the president of the River Mountain Ranch Property Owners Association. “So it was stressful.” Read the article………………………..
Top Tips for Fire Preparedness (NY)
Remember the old Smokey the Bear commercials, “Only YOU can prevent forest fires”? Well, consider that living in a NYC coop or condo, or even rental building with hundreds of neighbors and how just one of them could adversely affect the entire community. Read the article………………………..
When Natural Beauty Became a Threat: The Evolution of a Firewise Community (OR)
No one will ever forget the Summer of 2020…the orange sky that hung over us for days. The stench of what remained of a destroyed landscape…the ash falling like snow in the 100-degree heat. Read the article………………………..
Why Panama City Beach firefighters are assisting a high-rise with downed fire pump (FL)
With a Beach condo’s fire pump out of service, firefighters pumped hundreds of gallons of water into the high-rise’s water pressure system on Thursday to keep its residents safe. Read the article………………………..
One Developer’s Case for Building in a High-Risk Fire Zone
In the past five years, California’s wildfires have burned more than 30,000 structures, prompting debate over whether the state and local governments should allow development to continue in higher-risk parts of the state. Read the article………………………..
Residents team up to tackle wildfire risks (WA)
The increasing frequency and severity of wildfires — and an understanding of what it means to live in wildfire country — has prompted hundreds of property owners around the valley to team up in work parties to clear brush, limb trees and load chippers. Read the article………………….
You’ve got to be ‘kidding’: Herd of goats reduced damage from fire (CO)
A small wildland fire in unincorporated Elbert County was started by fireworks. A herd of goats kept it from being much worse, firefighters said. Read the article………………………
The Basics of Condo & Community Grill Rules (GA)
While the regulation is not brand new (it has been in effect since 1999), it is becoming more known because structural fires caused by “grills” are at an all-time high. As a result, virtually every state’s fire code now regulates cooking over an open flame. The Rules and Regulations for the State Minimum Fire Safety […]
Wildfires are a part of life in the White Mountains. Here’s how Arizona towns are preparing
To be designated a Firewise site, neighborhoods — usually through homeowners associations, or HOAs — commit to spending a small amount of money on fire mitigation. The money could be used to remove leaf litter and needle cache, cut down some trees or other actions that reduce fire spread. Read the entire article……………………………….
Should Fireworks In An HOA Be Allowed or Banned?
Fireworks are a Fourth of July staple. But, should the board allow fireworks in an HOA? Learn the ins and outs of enforcing rules on fireworks in a planned community. Read the entire article……………………………….
Australia: NSW buildings still lined with combustible cladding five years after deadly Grenfell Tower fire
Five years on from the deadly Grenfell Tower fire in London, buildings in NSW are still lined with similar combustible cladding. On June 14, 2017, 72 people were killed when aluminium cladding fuelled a fire that engulfed the building in North Kensington. The tragedy sparked worldwide bans on the combustible material and 18 months ago […]
Grilling in an HOA Community (Go-To Guide)
It’s officially grilling season, which means it’s time to fire up the barbecue and enjoy some delicious food. However, if you live in an HOA community, there are some guidelines that you need to follow to stay within the rules. Here are four helpful tips that’ll ensure your cookout goes smoothly. Read the entire article……………………………….
Summit Park and Pinebrook wildfire prevention projects get top rating from state (UT)
After evacuations for the Parleys Canyon Fire, a wave of Summit Park homeowners signed up to have their property assessed for wildfire risk. Millions of dollars in grants are now funding work there and across Summit County. Read the entire article……………………………….
Devastation in our Backyard: A look at insurance and what we can learn from the Marshall Fire (CO)
Growing up in Louisville, Colorado, I like many others, could have never imagined the scene that unfolded on December 30, 2021. Early in the day a staff member mentioned a small brushfire had started in Boulder. Miles away we went on with our day only to see what looked like dust in the air around […]
Can You Repeat That? Is Your Condominium in Compliance? (FL)
It is essential for condominium associations to ensure that their buildings are in compliance with the requirements of the Florida Fire Prevention Code (the “Fire Code”). Read the entire article……………………………….
Goats inadvertently save condo complex from catching fire (CA)
While evacuations were not needed, unlikely heroes helped protect the condo complex: West Sacramento’s goats who recently had come by to eat underbrush off the near the complex. Read the entire article……………………………….
Harden your home: How property owners can protect their house from fire danger, assist firefighters (CO)
Wildfire experts call the process “hardening a home,” or creating defensive space, which is what homeowners need to do if they want wildland firefighters to try to defend their home during an emergency. When trying to protect multiple homes, firefighters with limited resources must make tough decisions to rate a property as defensible or non-defensible, […]
Even before Coastal fire, hilltop dwellers worried and some took key steps (CA)
A decade ago – long before February’s Emerald Bay fire, or this week’s Coastal fire – Newport Coast resident Gerald Klein tried to impress upon his homeowners’ association the importance of fire prevention. The brushy canyons of Crystal Cove State Park push in from two sides, and his home – along with hundreds of others […]
Years after fatal fire, Red Cross to install smoke alarms in Marco Polo condo (HI)
The American Red Cross installed smoke alarms at the Marco Polo Condominiums on Thursday as part of their national Sound the Alarm campaign. In 2017, Marco Polo suffered a tragic fire resulting in four fatalities and over a dozen injuries. Read the entire article……………………………….
Emergency plans emphasized after Ocean City condo fire (MD)
Residents of high-rises were reminded this week to pay close attention to their buildings’ emergency plans after a transformer fire at a north Ocean City condominium forced a wide-sweeping evacuation. Read the entire article……………………………….
Game Trail earns designation as Firewise USA community (CO)
The Game Trail Homeowners Association northwest of Buena Vista received national recognition from Firewise USA this year. HOA members are pictured with new signs and Chaffee Chips service partners during a fire mitigation event April 11. Read the entire article……………………………….
Fire Technology: Champlain Towers South Collapse: Drones’ Value Soars
Charles Werner spoke to numerous people who responded to the condominium collapse to learn that unmanned aerial systems were crucial to the effort in many ways. Read the entire article……………………………….
Residents effected by Oyster Bay Wildfire seek accountability for damages (FL)
Homeowners are reacting to the state’s response to their concerns following the Oyster Bay Wildfire. The prescribed burn on Garcon Point last Friday grew out of control, threatening homes and burning almost 200 acres. Read the entire article……………………………….
Fire department: Hydrants maintained by condo association didn’t have enough water to fight Forestville blaze (MD)
The nearest hydrant with enough water was a quarter mile away from a burning building at the Holly Hills condominiums in Forestville on Tuesday. Read the entire article……………………………….
Fire Hydrants in community associations, what you don’t know can cost you
Fire Hydrants are in every community association. Do you own yours? Or does someone else, the city, county? Find out for sure. If you own yours, you have to pay to have them tested/inspected/tagged annually. The liability to know and document that fact is real, and up to the board of directors and/or management. Watch […]
High-rise condo fire puts Cincinnati’s push to require self-closing apartment doors in spotlight (OH)
Sanders is in charge of Cincinnati’s fire prevention efforts. A key area of focus when it comes to safety is apartment doors that close automatically. Read the entire article……………………………….
San Marcos Trout Club is County’s First Firewise USA Community (CA)
The San Marcos Trout Club (SMTC), a neighborhood of 37 homes in the Santa Barbara foothills, is the first community in Santa Barbara County to be approved as a Firewise USA participant by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Read the entire article……………………………….
Why Do Chimney Inspections Matter to Homeowners?
A fireplace can make any home cozier and inviting. There’s something extraordinary about a roaring fire in the middle of winter and a mantelpiece covered in family photos. But, of course, with every fireplace comes a chimney. The chimney carries fire smoke safely outside the house. It is also a hollow stone tower that rises […]
Firefighters clearing brush in Estates fuel break to prevent and slow wildfires (CA)
When firefighters aren’t out battling blazes, they’re spending time locally on preventing and slowing the spread of wildland fires by managing fuel breaks. Read the entire article……………………………….
California Wildfires’ Impact HOA Insurance
Severe weather and natural disasters have been a challenge for communities in different parts of California for decades, from droughts to earthquakes to wildfires. The state’s most recent wildfire season is putting pressure on insurance companies to cut back on coverage to homeowners. Read the entire article……………………………….
Lake California residence worried about fire evacuations (CA)
People living in Lake California a community just north of Red Bluff and in Tehama County, only have one route in and out. “It’s tree-lined, there are heavy ditches and a fire apparatus would not be able to come up that road and have residents exit safely,” said Sharon Crawford, Lake California Property Owner’s Association […]
The Woolsey fire burned their homes. Now this community has its own firefighting crew (CA)
The local Homeowners Association has contributed roughly $25,000 to the new fire department, and neighbors have thrown in hundreds of thousands more. Areas with fewer resources will likely face bigger obstacles that sets them apart from their wealthy neighbors, adding to the divide already being felt when disasters strike. Read the entire article……………………………….