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The national database of state and local wildfire hazard mitigation programs
serves as a clearinghouse of information about nonfederal policies and
programs that seek to reduce the risk of loss of life and property through
the reduction of hazardous fuels on private lands. If
you would like to submit a program to the national wildfire programs database,
please complete the following form (MS
Word).
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Title: |
Tennessee Firewise Communities USA
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Type: |
Firewise community recognition programs
Demonstration projects
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Jurisdiction: |
State
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State: |
Tennessee
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Program Description: |
Recognized Firewise Communities USA
In 2003, two Tennessee communities qualified to join the list of Firewise Communities USA. These communities meet the requirements of the Tennessee Firewise Recognition Program and the requirements of the National Firewise Organization. For more information on requirements for a recognized community, see www.firewise.org. The two communities are: Cumberland Cove, located on Middle Tennessee�s Cumberland Plateau, and Upper Bluff Mountain, located on a mountaintop adjacent to Smoky Mountain National Park, near Gatlinburg.
Cumberland Cove
Cumberland Cove is now under development, with 250 existing homes, and another 1450 projected homes. Due to its distance from a fire station and the infestation of local pine trees by Southern Pine Beetles, the community recognized its potential fire hazard risk. Cumberland Cove was awarded an NFP grant through the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Division of Forestry to conduct a wildfire hazard risk assessment and develop community-based solutions to reduce wildfire hazards. An environmental consulting firm was hired to conduct the risk assessment.
Cumberland Cove established a Firewise Board with responsibility for developing and approving a Firewise Community Action Plan. Participation by residents is encouraged, but not required. The plan supports existing fuels reduction projects and recommends the following actions:
* Sponsoring a wildfire hazard risk assessment;
* Providing every homeowner with the results of the assessment, including recommendations for improvements;
* Establishing an annual Wildfire Prevention Week, encouraging all residents to spend at least one day correcting identified problems;
* Fuel cleanup day at three community parks;
* Chipping or burning dead trees along road right of ways;
* Conducting one training session each year by the Division of Forestry for new residents in fighting wildfires. Course graduates are will be added to the Wildfire Responders Phone Tree;
* Conduct at least one fire drill per year for Wildfire Responders.
Upper Bluff Mountain
In 2001, the Ridgecrest Fire burned 1500 acres adjacent to Upper Bluff Mountain, and destroyed five homes in the community. Recognizing the wildfire threat, the community sought a NFP grant to through the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Division of Forestry to conduct a wildfire hazard risk assessment and develop community-based solutions to reduce wildfire hazards. An environmental consulting firm was hired to conduct the hazard risk assessment.
Residents established a Firewise Board and developed a Firewise Community Action Plan. Participation is voluntary. Some of the recommendations include:
* Establish an annual Firewise Community Action Workday to reduce hazards around individual homes, clearing brush, cutting limbs, and raking leaves;
* Develop a wildfire phone tree;
* Establish an emergency escape route from the community;
* Hold annual Firewise meetings to maintain awareness and provide continuing education.
Contact Information
For more information, contact Robin Bible at 615-837-5537 or by email at [email protected].
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