Fire Safety and Prevention

Innovative Pilot Project to Create Tahoe’s Most Wildfire-Ready Community Launches (NV) May 21, 2025
In recognition of Wildfire Awareness Month, a coalition of wildfire experts, technology companies, energy providers, and nonprofits launched a groundbreaking pilot project aimed at creating the most wildfire-ready community in the Lake Tahoe region. The Incline Fire Smart Community Pilot is taking place in the Tyrolian Village HOA, a neighborhood encompassing 228 homes across 60 acres in Incline Village, Read the article…………………………….
FireSmart event near Priddis to help property owners prepare (AB) May 19, 2025
The Square Butte Community Association is hosting an event to help residents protect their properties from wildfires. The FireSmart presentation is at Square Butte Hall on Saturday, May 31 at 10 a.m. and includes door prizes and lunch. Read the article…………………………….
KCA calls for state support on water infrastructure and fire mitigation (HI) May 13, 2025
The Kula Community Association (KCA) has formally called on Gov. Josh Green and the State of Hawai?i to take urgent action in advance of what is expected to be another challenging wildfire season in Upcountry Maui. In a letter sent on May 12th, Kula Community Association outlined two critical areas of concern: the need for improved wildfire mitigation on thousands of acres of unmanaged state-owned land, and the installation of vital water infrastructure to bolster firefighting capabilities and community resilience. ...
Condo dwellers push back on concerns about electric vehicle fire hazards (FL) May 12, 2025
First this week, our recent question regarding the requirement to install charging stations for electric vehicles sparked a lot of interest and responses from EV owners (some nicer than others), particularly concerning the relative risk of electric vehicles when compared to traditional gas and diesel-fueled vehicles. Read the article…………………………….
Officials Discuss City’s Elevated Fire Hazard Status (CA) May 11, 2025
Community members filled the Recital Hall at the Brand Library and Art Center on Thursday for a meeting with city officials to discuss Glendale’s position on Phase 4 of CAL FIRE’s new Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps and how it will impact neighborhoods throughout the city. During the May 8 meeting, hosted by the Northwest Glendale Homeowners Association, residents were provided information on best practices for home hardening, brush clearance and other fire prevention techniques. Read the article…………………………….
Prescott residents are in one of the highest risk areas for wildfires, which affects insurance (AZ) May 9, 2025
HOA leaders and firefighters are in the neighborhood training to be firewise inspectors across the region. Video news report……………………..
Fire safety concerns at the Cherry Blossom Townhomes (OR) May 8, 2025
An Ombudsman investigation found that the Fire Bureau’s poor communication left residents of an East Portland affordable housing community concerned about their safety. We also found that parking practices at the property could impede Fire vehicle access. Read the article…………………………….
El Dorado Hills neighbors join forces for fire safety (CA) May 8, 2025
Two homeowners’ associations in El Dorado Hills which joined the national Firewise USA program within days of each other in February teamed up May 3 to learn how they can make their neighborhoods safer from the risk of wildfire. Read the article…………………………….
Nevada community groups awarded funding for fire mitigation May 3, 2025
Cold Creek Canyon Homeowners Association – Hazardous Fuel Reduction Project – This project will carry out manual vegetation thinning and brush clearing on 50 properties to enhance wildfire resilience in the off-grid Cold Creek community. The goal is to improve emergency access and reduce fuel loads in areas prone to wildfires in Clark County. The project also seeks to improve factors related to fire suppression efficiency and lower the risk of catastrophic wildfires. Read the article…………………………….
Tahoe Donner Association signs landmark wildfire insurance policy tied to forest management (CA) May 3, 2025
In a groundbreaking move that could reshape wildfire insurance nationwide, the Tahoe Donner Association has secured a first-of-its-kind policy that links premium pricing directly to decades of active forest management. The innovative agreement—developed in collaboration with former California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones, The Nature Conservancy, UC Berkeley and Willis, a business of WTW—marks the first time an insurance company has factored large-scale fuel reduction work into wildfire risk assessments and policy pricing. Structured by Willis, the $2.5 million wildfire resilience ...
Barbecues – Caution (CA) April 19, 2025
In California, open flame cooking devices, including charcoal and propane grills, may not be operated on combustible balconies or within ten feet of combustible construction except for (1) One and two family dwellings, and (2) When buildings, balconies, and decks are protected by an automatic sprinkler system. Read the article…………………………….
Fire-Resistant Shrubs To Add To Your California Landscape April 16, 2025
On average, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection reports a little over 700 wildland fires every year. While many of us focus on the ways to protect our homes against fires, we often forget that wildfire protection can start in our own lawns. Believe it or not, there are a slew of plants that can resist approaching fires and slow their approach to your home. Read the article…………………………….
Wildfire Safety Tips for Your HOA Community April 12, 2025
Wildfires can pose a significant threat to communities located in areas prone to dry conditions and high winds. By implementing effective wildfire safety measures, you can help protect lives, property, and the environment. Before implementing safety measures, it’s important to understand the specific wildfire risks in your area. Factors such as climate, vegetation, and topography can influence the likelihood of wildfires. Research local fire departments and emergency management agencies to assess these risks and develop a wildfire preparedness plan. Read ...
A first-of-its-kind neighborhood in California fights fire by just existing April 4, 2025
In June, Steve Ruffner watched a demonstration where two sheds were set on fire. As a result of what he saw, people 30 miles north of San Diego are now moving into homes far less likely to burn in a wildfire. “I was shocked,” said Ruffner, who is president of KB Home Coastal, a large U.S. home builder. Read the article…………………………….
Green Valley prepares for critical wildfire season (AZ) April 3, 2025
In a press conference held Monday with Governor Katie Hobbs, the Arizona Department of Forestry and Management warned that the upcoming fire season could be one of the most critical in years.
Fire Prevention Awareness March 29, 2025
As we head into cooler months and holidays, it is important to check the fire and CO2 alarms in your home to prevent emergencies, whether you live in a condominium or high-rise building. If you don’t have fire or CO2 alarms in your home, adding alarms can save lives and property. Check with your local fire department to conduct a free property evaluation survey. Read the article…………………………….
WILDFIRE DEVASTATION & INSURANCE FALLOUT – What Your HOA Needs To Know (CA) March 25, 2025
In January, wildfires destroyed 16,240 homes and commercial properties including condominium associations and planned developments. Loses are estimated between $95 billion and $164 billion, with insured losses estimated at $75 billion. Associations statewide already had trouble finding insurance. The Los Angeles fires will make it even harder, and premiums will increase significantly. Are you interested in knowing the facts? Find out now. Watch the video………………………….
Saguache County Firewise – lessons from Calif. (CO) March 23, 2025
During his presentation, Johnson showed numerous slides of the fire and also provided practical advice on how to implement fire zones around their homes. This information empowered the audience to take proactive steps to make their homes more resistant to a wildfire. The event was made possible through the joint efforts of the Crestone Volunteer Fire Department and the Baca Grande POA Firewise program, which sponsored the event, demonstrating the community’s shared commitment to wildfire preparedness. Read the article…………………………….
One HOA at a time, nonprofits work to Firewise Rim Country (AZ) March 17, 2025
On a windy day, a single ember from a wildfire can travel more than a mile before coming to rest. And after one of the driest winters on record in Arizona, nonprofits are working to educate homeowners about the risk of those embers landing on their doorsteps. Read the article…………………………….
DFFM hosts Firewise workday at Coffee Pot subdivision (AZ) March 5, 2025
Hand crews from Diablo Canyon and Phoenix and inmates working under the authority of the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management conducted brush removal around the Cottages at Coffeepot homeowners’ association on the morning of Feb. 3. Read the article…………………………….
Open-Flame Grills Banned On Condo & Apartment Balconies In Osage Beach (MO) March 3, 2025
Starting Saturday, open-flame grills will no longer be allowed on decks or balconies of multi-family residences in the City of Osage Beach. The Board voted to adopt Section 308.1.4 of the International Fire Code after a 90-day comment period and three public forums. The rule, already in place in other Lake-area fire districts, bans charcoal burners and open-flame devices on combustible balconies or within 10 feet of combustible construction starting March 1. Read the article…………………………….
Grills Causing Community Associations to Feel the Heat from Insurance Companies (CO) February 25, 2025
As many common interest community owners and boards likely know, finding association insurance at a reasonable rate in Colorado is becoming more difficult. One of the reasons for this is that Colorado is the state with the third-highest wildfire risk, with Colorado’s 20 largest recorded wildfires occurring in the last 2 decades. In 8 of the last 10 years, Colorado has been listed as a state where homeowners insurance has been unprofitable for the insurance industry. Due to Colorado’s high ...
Bird Rock condo residents worry about fire risk from rooftop HVAC units (CA) February 22, 2025
In the wake of the recent outbreak of fires in Southern California and a smaller fire in the Seahaus La Jolla condominium complex in Bird Rock, some residents there are worried that another fire might be looming. According to those residents and an outside contractor, some rooftop heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems at Seahaus are inappropriately sized for the wiring there. One of the units caught fire in December, leading to concerns that another might catch fire if they’re ...
Miracle Mile Residents Association Urges Preparedness at Annual Meeting (CA) February 22, 2025
Over 200 residents attended the Miracle Mile Residential Association’s annual community last month at the Petersen Automotive Museum. Organizers told Buzz the entire meeting would be dedicated to organizing the community to be prepared for the next disaster. At the time of the meeting, firefighters had not yet fully contained the Palisades and Eaton fires, which destroyed over 16,000 homes and commercial buildings, burned over 37,000 acres, and tragically took the lives of 29 people. Read the article…………………………….
‘Every place is vulnerable’: North Santa Fe HOA takes on large-scale fire mitigation project with grant support (NM) February 17, 2025
A specialist from the Santa Fe Fire Department has walked all over a large chunk of the city’s north side and tied thousands of tags to piñon and juniper trees in recent months, envisioning a new landscape. A green tag indicates a branch that should be cut, while a pink tag indicates the whole tree needs to go. Read the article…………………………….
How to become a Firewise community and sign up for emergency notifications in El Paso and Teller Counties (CO) February 6, 2025
Ahead of a wildfire town hall being held by the Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD) News5 wants to share a few ways you can be prepared for wildfires and help prevent them. “This isn’t ‘if’ a wildfire is going to happen, it’s ‘when’ a wildfire is going to happen,” Jessica McIntire the program coordinator for education outreach with CSFD said. Read the article…………………………….
LA fires fuel concerns over rising cost, availability of Tahoe homeowners’ insurance (CA) January 31, 2025
Multiple homeowner’s associations (HOAs) are also increasingly involved in creating and enforcing “firewise community standards.” The Tahoe Donner HOA, for example, has its own forestry department which it claims is “is nationally regarded as a leader in their field when it comes to defensible space, wildfire reduction and overall forest health.” Read the article…………………………….
Fire warden warns against fire mitigation group (CO) January 20, 2025
“At a time when private property owners in our county are losing fire insurance daily or cannot obtain fire insurance for new construction, we cannot have an organization putting our county at risk with nonstandard practices or misleading information and our citizens now have the same information we have,” Williams said. NoFloCo says it is a committee of Indian Creek Property Owners Association (ICPOA) operating under ICPOA’s 501c 3. Read the article…………………………….
Wildfire in Southern Colorado: L.A. lessons January 18, 2025
The Golden Hills Homeowner Association has been proactive about mitigation in the neighborhood. Seeing the wildfire around Los Angeles is a reminder of why they do the work. “You know, not to the same scale, but you can certainly pick out certain areas within town that look very similar,” said Golden Hills Homeowner Association President, Robert Hicks. Read the article…………………………….
Fire Ban For Tahoe Donner Homeowners And Renters In Effect (CA) January 15, 2025
The Tahoe Donner homeowner’s association reports there is a fire ban for all Tahoe Donner owners, renters and guests starting Thursday. They said no outdoor wood or charcoal fires are allowed and fines will be immediately issued and enforced. Read the article…………………………….
L.A. fires show limits of America’s efforts to cope with climate change January 11, 2025
This week’s fires around Los Angeles present a puzzle: Why is California, the state best equipped to deal with wildfires, seemingly unable to prevent blazes from consuming entire chunks of the country’s second-largest city? Read the article…………………………….
Greater Los Angeles-Area Wildfire Government Responses & Resources for Homeowners January 10, 2025
CAI’s community of homeowners, volunteer leaders, community association managers, and business partners are devastated by the Los Angeles area wildfires. Our hearts break for California residents and families impacted by these devastating fires. The devastation stemming from multiple wildfires in Southern California are impacting community associations of all sizes and types in the Greater Los Angeles area. Read the article…………………………….
Many communities aren’t ready for wildfire evacuations. Here’s what they can do(CA) January 10, 2025
When the Palisades Fire exploded, people rushed to their cars to evacuate, but found the roads clogged with traffic. As the flames approached, police officers told drivers to flee on foot. The abandoned cars were later cleared with a bulldozer. The scene echoed evacuations from other recent wildfires, ones with far deadlier results. Read the article…………………………….
The Getty Villa survived LA’s firestorms while the area around it burned, revealing a key lesson for homeowners (CA) January 10, 2025
(While this article isnn’t specifically about community associations, the suggestions are good for them) The Palisades fire in California has burned through thousands of acres since breaking out Tuesday between Malibu and Santa Monica, but the iconic Getty Villa, which lay in its path, has remained standing with minor damage, even after homes and trees around it went up in flames. Read the article…………………………….
Fire Safety for NYC Coops and Condos December 16, 2024
What’s your biggest fear of living in an apartment building? Sure, leaks from burst pipes are costly and inconvenient, but fires? Fires are terrifying. They can escalate quickly, cause significant damage, and put lives at serious risk. The good news? Fires are often preventable if you take proactive measures. Here’s what every co-op and condo resident and board member should know to protect their building from a disaster. Read the article…………………………….
Lake Shannon Association seeks fire protection from HDT (MI) December 8, 2024
Concerned about diminished coverage and longer response times when Tyrone Township exits the Hartland-Deerfield-Tyrone (HDT) Fire Authority on April 1, the Lake Shannon Homeowners Association in a letter requested a proposal for costs to contract independently for fire coverage from HDT. Read the article…………………………….
Multifamily Fire Safety: Prevention, Detection, & Communication December 5, 2024
Among the many hazards that can threaten any multifamily building, fire ranks right at the top. Local news is replete with stories about the property loss, structural damage, and even death that a fire can cause. While horrific in small properties, fire can be even more dangerous in multifamily buildings. High-rises in particular can pose unique challenges when it comes to fire safety—and meeting those challenges can literally be a matter of life and death. Read the article…………………………….
Holiday Fire Safety Checklist for Your Home and Community December 2, 2024
As the holidays approach, festive decorations, flickering candles, and cozy fires warm our homes—but they also bring heightened fire risks. Each year, decorations cause a significant number of household fires, especially during December. This season, keep safety top of mind for yourself and your community with our holiday fire safety checklists to protect both your home and shared spaces. Download our printable fire safety checklists to easily inspect your surroundings, making sure every area is ready for a safe, festive ...
Multifamily Fire Safety: Prevention, Detection, & Communication November 27, 2024
Among the many hazards that can threaten any multifamily building, fire ranks right at the top. Local news is replete with stories about the property loss, structural damage, and even death that a fire can cause. While horrific in small properties, fire can be even more dangerous in multifamily buildings. Read the article…………………………….
Fire Safety & Building Materials November 26, 2024
Fire safety is a critical aspect of homeownership, especially in regions prone to wildfires like Colorado. By selecting fire-resistant m aterials and implementing specific construction techniques, you can significantly increase your home’s resilience to fire. Ongoing maintenance and fire hazard awareness are critical to protecting your community from fire hazards. In this article, we’ll explore key strategies and materials that can help you strengthen your home against fire risks. Read the article…………………………….
Honolulu Condos: City Might Water Down Fire Safety Law Again (HI) November 19, 2024
Seven years ago, after a deadly condominium fire, the Honolulu City Council moved to mandate sprinklers in every residential high-rise, with the premise that sprinklers save lives. Then came outcry from condo owners and associations, who said the requirement would be prohibitively expensive. The council acquiesced, and under a compromise, buildings could either install sprinklers or pass a fire safety inspection that looks at things like exit routes and the presence of an alarm system. Read the article…………………………….
Australia: Charging danger: Every Strata Building Needs an EV By-law November 13, 2024
Enclosed spaces like underground car parks increase the risk of deadly fires. Heat and toxic fumes become trapped, making fires more intense. As more electric vehicles fill these spaces, the risk of fire grows, especially with the addition of more and more charging stations. Read the article…………………………….
Fire Sprinkler and ELSS Deadlines Extended by Florida Fire Prevention Code (FL) November 7, 2024
For those of you who own a condominium unit in a high-rise building, you are keenly aware of the many changes through the years to the fire safety requirements for high-rise buildings. The Condominium Act, in Section 718.112(2)(n), Florida Statutes, currently states that all high-rise buildings had to retrofit with either a fire sprinkler system or an engineered life safety system by January 1, 2024. Read the article…………………………….
FireSmart program, City of Vernon and local strata working together on fire prevention project (BC) October 31, 2024
A Vernon strata is getting the full FireSmart treatment – one the first and largest stratas in B.C. to take advantage of the program. The Spruce Landing Strata Complex, 2504 41st St., is having all of the shrubbery and cedars removed from the complex. Read the article…………………………….
Verdes rely on Firewise for protection (AZ) October 20, 2024
As National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) certified Firewise Communities, Rio Verde and Tonto Verde work year-round to mitigate the threat of wildfires. To maintain certification as Firewise Communities there is a requirement to annually maintain community boundaries that interface with open desert to reduce fuels that could feed the spread of fires. Annual Firewise Day for the Verdes is Saturday, Nov. 9. Read the article…………………………….
Wildfire Risks and Costs for California HOAs: Financial, Legal, and Insurance Implications October 14, 2024
As California continues to grapple with the increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires, homeowners associations (HOAs) face significant challenges in protecting their communities from the risks and costs associated with these natural disasters. HOAs are tasked not only with safeguarding their properties and residents but also with navigating complex financial, legal, and insurance implications. Wildfires can impose severe financial burdens on HOAs, affecting budgets, reserve funds, and homeowner dues, while also posing substantial risks to property values and the overall ...
Fire! Before Your Building Is Under Threat of Fire or Smoke Damage, Here are Some Ways to Plan Ahead and Be Prepared (CO) October 5, 2024
Fire safety is a critical aspect of building design and construction. Understanding fire ratings for building materials and adhering to best practices can significantly reduce the risk of fire-related incidents and enhance occupant safety. Read the article…………………………….
‘Shocked at the response’: Black Forest neighborhood funds its own fire hydrant (CO) September 21, 2024
When a fire engulfed a house in the Black Forest neighborhood of Wissler’s Ranch in 2017, the development’s three 10,000-gallon water cisterns built in the 1990s were tested and failed in a real-world situation. Rather than draw from the cisterns, which were unpressurized and would have required time and special equipment to pump water from, firefighters traveled five miles away to a pressurized fire hydrant. The 45-minute drive and fill up made fighting the blaze difficult and ultimately unsuccessful. Read ...
Verdes rely on Firewise for protection (AZ) September 19, 2024
Through the Firewise effort, the communities work with the Rio Verde Fire District, McDowell Mountain Regional Park, Tonto National Forest and Cave Creek Ranger District to coordinate border maintenance efforts on their property. Additionally, there is cooperation with the HOAs and individual homeowners to maintain properties and further reduce the risk of fire. Read the article…………………………….
Californians will soon say goodbye to wood fences, plants near fire-prone homes September 1, 2024
California is chipping away at developing new statewide rules to remove plants, mulch and other flammable materials within 5 feet of buildings and structures in fire-prone areas, the Board of Forestry confirmed this month. This proposed set of guidelines would also forbid that ubiquitous backyard feature — a wooden privacy fence. This rule lumps existing flammable fences into the same category as new construction. Read the article…………………………….