Firewise Copper Valley Frequently Asked Questions
Firewise Copper Valley Frequently Asked Questions
Fire Department, Board, and other experts conduct Risk Assessment - completed
Create 3-Year Action Plan - completed
Submit Risk Assessment and 3 Year Action Plan to Firewise (and CAL FIRE) - completed
Receive approval from Firewise - completed
Communicate and implement Action Plan
Collect Investment and Activity from neighbors identifying steps taken to improve fire resilience.
Perform annual renewal updates to Action Plan on Firewise Dashboard (NFPA)
Firewise does not charge for this effort. Firewise requires investment from the community as a whole. It can be monetary or hourly contribution to fire hardening and creating defensible space. Investment averages the equivalent of $33 per residential property per year. Examples of investments include: Tree and shrub trimming, weed abatement, irrigation, removable of combustible materials and items, grass cutting, home updates that improve fire resilience such as ember resistant vent screens, gutter screens; Time spent working on your property to improve fire resilience, helping neighbors improve fire resilience, and education about fire preparedness, resilience, and evacuation. Investments by CVCSD and the golf course to maintain fire resilience and preparedness are also included in this total investment.
What did the Risk Assessment identify as key issues in our community?
The areas needing attention are provided in the 3-year action plan. The primary areas we need to improve are within the 0-5ft zone around homes.
Learn ways you can increase fire reslilience of your property here https://www.nfpa.org/en/education-and-research/wildfire/preparing-homes-for-wildfire. Based on the risk assessment, the 3-year Action Plan provides recommendations for improving fire resilience within our community. A current goal is to remove all combustible materials within 5 feet of a structure. Many homes have wood mulch, shrubs, and wooden structures in that zone so we will work with the fire department to identify ways to increase fire resistance, including replacing wood mulch with gravel, trimming/separating shrubs and trees, treating wood attachments with fire retardant, and replacing combustible materials with non-combusible materials as they become more available. It's also important to move wood piles and waste cans away from homes. In addition, other recommendations can be found here: https://www.fire.ca.gov/dspace
No. Firewise does not impose fines. It's focused on educating and supporting the community in an effort to preserve life and property.
Properties within the Firewise Copper Valley boundary (map illustrated on the home page) with a residential dwelling are included in the approval. Properties that have dwellings or are approved for development as of October 2025 are included, totaling 430 properties.
No. Firewise Copper Valley is a resident-led effort. Firewise Copper Valley has its own board. It provides updates to and receives input from the above-mentioned organizations.
Yes, the Firewise Risk Assessment and 3 Year Plan templates for California are created with support from CAL FIRE. Copper Valley is within a State Responsibility Area (SRA). Therefore, we are expected to conform to PRC 4291.
For more information about state requirements and recommendations, visit:
https://data.ca.gov/dataset/california-state-responsibility-areas
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=4291.&lawCode=PRC
https://calfire-umb05.azurewebsites.net/media/pugiju54/eo-_urban-conflagration-n-18-25-final.pdf
https://www.fire.ca.gov/dspace
Why should I make Zone 0-5ft ember resistant?
Watch this video from CAL FIRE: Home Hardening Demonstration Burn w/ IBHS https://youtu.be/AYvwogREEk4
https://sites.google.com/view/firewisecoppervalley/home
Possibly. Your insurer will be able to determine your eligibility and potential discount. Share the Firewise approval certificate https://sites.google.com/view/firewisecoppervalley/firewise-copper-valley-certificate with your insurer. It may take time for your insurer to receive information directly from Firewise USA so you will need to share information via your agent. For more information, please visit https://www.nfpa.org/education-and-research/wildfire/firewise-usa/firewise-insurance-discounts-for-california-residents . FAIR Plan info can be found here: https://www.cfpnet.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/FAIR-Plan-Discounts-One-Pager.pdf For Copper Valley expertise, reach out to https://agents.farmers.com/ca/brentwood/h-dwayne-mullins/
We are preparing a list of contacts that would be able to provide guidance specific to your property. You can also find a link to a self-assessment, training, and other information here: https://www.fire.ca.gov/dspace You can also reach out to us at firewisecoppervalley@gmail.com so that we can help put you in touch with consultants.
https://sites.google.com/view/firewisecoppervalley/investments-and-activities
Yes, we need additional board members and block advisors. Please contact us at firewisecoppervalley@gmail.com. We're always looking for help from our wonderful neighbors!
Yes, multiple events will be planned to provide education, conversations with experts such as Copper Fire Protection District, CAL FIRE, and Calaveras OES, and opportunities for neighbors to exchange ideas about making our community safer from wildfire.
https://www.nfpa.org/education-and-research/wildfire/firewise-usa Note, they will not be able to answer questions about our community. Please reach out to us if you have questions about Firewise Copper Valley at firewisecoppervalley@gmail.com
All information on this site is subject to change.