Firewise for communities
The Minnesota Firewise Project is working with local communities by passing federal Fire Plan funds through to local communities as grants for various on-the-ground activities including homeowner activities, mitigation education, home site assessment, and access improvement. It involves community groups, including fire and emergency services, local schools, city staff (e.g., foresters, planners), and local interest groups.
Community information
- Community guide to preparing and implementing a community wildfire protection plan
- How Firewise can work in your community
- Local community based approach
- Firewise community specialist area contacts
- Preventing equipment fires
- Preparing a community wildfire protection plan
- Fire hazard assessment methodology
- How do we create firewise communities?
Grant Information
- Community grant packet
- Volunteer fire assistance grants
Media
- Prepare for Wildfire: The Hwy 1 Fire Wake-Up call - This video addresses community preparedness in the face of the recent Highway 1 wildfire in Ely, Minnesota. It gives residents the tools they need to prepare for this kind of event should it happen again in the future.
- See firsthand how the Firewise program saved a home burning the Ham Lake fire. - A Minnesota Bound presentation
- Shopper insert
- Hazard assessment (13 MB PowerPoint show - large file. Use as a show online or right-click the link to download the show to your computer.)
- Short PowerPoint presentations to gain an overview of Firewise, including assessments, projects, planning, and grant opportunities.
Educators
Firewise communities: reducing the risk of wildfire
Audience: Grades 8—12
Description: Students analyze their community for wildfire-prone property using aerial photos and geographic information system (GIS) software provided by the DNR. Students may also do ground assessments in high fire-risk areas and compile a community report. Find out more about this project.