The Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network was launched in 2013 to connect and support people and communities who are striving to live more safely with wildfire. FAC Net is a catalyst for developing and spreading best practices and innovations in fire adaptation nationwide. Visit their website to learn more.

Fire is a natural part of our environment. As we choose to live in areas where wildfires occur, we must adapt the way we design, build and live in these areas so that communities are resilient to inevitable wildfires.The more actions a community takes, the more fire-adapted it may become. Actions and characteristics of a fire-adapted community may include:

Adequate local fire suppression capacity to meet most community protection needs;

Structures and landscaping designed, constructed, retrofitted and maintained in a manner that is ignition resistant;

Local codes (building, planning, zoning and fire prevention) that require ignition-resistant home design and building materials;

Fuels (vegetation) on land near and inside the community are treated and maintained for safety;

A comprehensive Community Wildfire Protection Plan that is being used; and

Other safety features, such as buffers between fuels and the community; designated evacuation routes; and safe zones in the community for when evacuation is not advisable.