Resident mitigation is about empowering the people who live in your community to reduce the impacts of wildland fire. Resident mitigation includes those actions which you can take around the home (as well as other structures) and in neighborhoods to create conditions that resist ignition or lead to low-intensity fire. Any person (full-time or part-time resident, renter or owner, single-family or multi-family residence, rural or urban area) can take action. There are many examples of programs to help community members take action, including Firewise USA® recognition programs, community cost-share chipping programs, home assessment programs and more. Check out some of the resources and ideas below.
Collaboration is the way business is done in Deschutes County, Oregon where Project Wildfire and Deschutes County convene partners to create Community Wildfire Protection Plans, foster evacuation preparedness, and facilitate resident mitigation. The FireFree program is a year-round educational program which focuses on ten steps residents can take to reduce fuel and ignition potential near their homes. Community-wide brush disposal opportunities provide area residents with free and convenient access to debris disposal– making mitigation easier for those they serve.
