Firewise

Firewise USA® is a voluntary recognition program that provides a clear framework for neighbors to work together to reduce wildfire risks.

The program helps communities like ours get organized, find direction, and take action to increase the ignition resistance of homes and property.

Timberland Has Become Firewise Since 2024

NEW 2026 Updates

According to our data, we removed 131 cubic yards of debris and spent $56,000 to clean up our yards and make our homes safer from wildfire.

Inform your homeowner's insurance company to potentially receive a discount for being located within a certified Firewise Community. Download the certificates: 2024 Firewise Certificate · 2025 Firewise Certificate

Looking ahead to 2026, we know we can increase our numbers even further. We rely on homeowners to report their expenses and volunteer time. Please report all expenses and hours spent on risk reduction this year to our committee. We are developing a user-friendly reporting system and will provide that information as soon as it is available.

What we need from you is for you to keep track of and report to us on your:

1. Defensible Space Efforts:

Amount paid to yard clean-up crews hired to clean up your property
The number of hours you and your family spend doing yard clean-up

2. Home Hardening Efforts, including:

Installing, maintaining, or repairing fire-resistant roofs
Installing 1/8" non-combustible screens on crawl space vents
Closing in the under-eave space
Replacing wooden decks with fire-resistant materials
Installing fire-resistant siding

For more information about creating defensible space and hardening your home to reduce wildfire risk, free brochures can be found at Living With Fire publications.

Our Annual Timberland Green Waste Cleanup Day is on Saturday, May 23, 2026 (the Saturday of Memorial Weekend). We will provide dumpsters throughout the neighborhood beginning Thursday, May 21st, with pickup on the following Thursday. These should be used only by residents cleaning up their own yards or by other volunteer labor you may enlist to help you in doing so.

We will do everything we can to help those who might need a hand. The clean-up will be followed by a celebration at the first annual TAHO potluck gathering. Location and time to be announced. We will provide educational materials and talks by local and other officials throughout the summer.

NEW Current Firewise Benefits for Timberland Residents

A safer, more wildfire-resilient neighborhood.
Potential home owner insurance discounts, including mandatory fire insurance discounts required by California.
California Conservation Corps assistance with lot cleanup
Free green waste dumpsters for vegetation removal
Ongoing support and guidance from the North Tahoe Fire District
Practical tools like guides and checklists from TahoeLivingWithFire
Access to requirements and best practices for short-term rentals
Up-to-date insurance information relevant to our region
Participation in periodic community meetings focused on fire safety
Neighborhood-level requirements to enhance collective safety

How To Get Involved...

Want to learn how your Timberland home can become more firewise? Send your inquiry to timberlandtahoe@gmail.com and we'll be happy to send you resources, tools, and personalized guidance.

TAHO Firewise 2025 Certificates

Call your homeowners insurance company to see if they recognize Firewise for a discount. 2025 Firewise Certificate

Risk Assessment and Recognition

Timberland's Assessment was done in 2024. Assessments are done every 3 years.

TAHO Firewise 2026 Goals

A quick excellent read: TAHO Firewise 2026 Goals

Resources

Free neighborhood massively large dumpsters provided through Firewise.

Helpful Links

Defensible Space (530-745-3062)

Burn Permit

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse