Release: Immediate (November 7, 2002)
Contact: Judith Leraas Cook, Firewise Communities/USA Project Manager (703) 370-3141
GLENDALE COMMUNITY HONORED FOR LIVING FIREWISE
Washington, D.C. -- Whiting Woods, located in Glendale, California, has been honored for its work to make structures and landscapes more resistant to wildfire.
According to Judith Leraas Cook, manager of the Firewise Communities/USA Project, Whiting Woods is one of a dozen communities in the US (see attached list) that has been officially recognized for its commitment to minimizing the impacts of wildfire through the use of Firewise construction and landscaping principles.
"Whiting Woods has been part of the Firewise Communities pilot project since 2001," says Leraas Cook. "There are 170 homes in this neighborhood, which borders right up against the Verdugo Mountains. Many of these homes have steep, chaparral covered slopes for their backyards. Residents understand that they have wildfire risks and hazards
and they're dedicated to educating themselves and making significant changes in their fire environment through fuel reduction measures."
Larry VanAvery from Whiting Woods and 11 other selected community representatives traveled to Washington D.C., this week to participate in the 2002 National Roundtable on the Wildland/Urban Interface (WUI), held on November 7th. The Roundtable is sponsored annually by the WUI Working Team of the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG), which also sponsors the Firewise Program.
The Firewise Communities/USA project is being managed in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters (NASF), which agreed in September to deliver the program to US states and territories through state forestry offices.
For a list of recognized Firewise Communities that were recently recognized or for information about becoming a Firewise Community, log onto the Firewise Communities/USA website at www.firewise.org/usa, and/or contact your state forester's office.
COMMUNITIES HONORED AS FIREWISE
The communities listed below are being recognized by the Firewise Communities/USA project for their efforts to make structures and landscapes more resistant to wildfire. The announcement of their selection officially kicks off the Firewise Communities/USA project. Information on the selection and acceptance process can be found at www.firewise.org/usa.
· Briargate Subdivision - Ormond Beach, Florida
· Emigration Canyon - Salt Lake City, Utah
· Genesee Foundation - Genesee, Colorado
· Greater Eastern Jemez Wildland/Urban Interface Corridor - Sandoval County, New Mexico
· Hyde Park Estates & Aztec Springs - Santa Fe, New Mexico
· Perry Park Municipal District - Perry Park, Colorado
· River Bluff Ranch - Spokane, Washington
· Sundance - Sundance, Utah
· Timber Ridge - Prescott, Arizona
· Wedgefield Estates - Orange County, Florida
· Whiting Woods - Glendale, California
Wilderness Ranch - Boise, Idaho