NAPA, CA — The Napa County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved an agreement with Napa Communities Firewise Foundation for a maximum of $100,000 to support continued community outreach and assistance intended to lessen the effects of wildland fires.
Napa Communities Firewise Foundation (NCFF) is a community-based fire awareness and fire hazard reduction program designed by county and state fire professionals to help Napa County residents survive wildfires. Specifically, the foundation provides:
- Information on the dangers that wildland fire poses to people and their communities.
- A better understanding of fire ecology in communities to lower risk while respecting the natural evolution of fire in the wildland settings.
- Specific steps each person can take to protect themselves, their families and neighbors in the event of a wildfire, and to reduce potential fire hazards through vegetation management projects.
“The approval of this important agreement between NCFF and Napa County Fire Department is a continuation of the County's longstanding commitment to making Napa County safe for both residents and visitors,” said Napa County Fire Chief Geoff Belyea.
Napa County Firewise Foundation was previously supported by grant funding that is no longer available. Without the new funding approved by the Board of Supervisors, the Foundation would have ceased operations, making it more difficult for residents to obtain wildland fire prevention assistance. The $100,000 will come from the Fire Fund for FY 2019-2020.
Under the agreement, Napa Communities Firewise Foundation will provide:
- Support and outreach to form community-based Fire Safety Councils
- Create community maps to identify areas of concerns
- Assistance with mitigation projects
- Assistance in the development of Community Wildfire Protection Plans
- Assistance throughout the Firewise Certification process
- Technical assistance on the implementation of Community Wildfire Protection Plans
- Host Home Ignition Zone Workshops and community meetings
- Maintain a Firewise website for Napa County
The Board of Supervisors and staff of Napa County are dedicated to preserving and sustaining Napa County for present and future generations as a community with generous open space, a thriving agricultural industry and a quality human and natural environment