Welcome to your
Home Self-Assessment Project
What is this project about?
This project consists of two parts:
- A series of in-depth workshops for those who want fully understand the dynamics of a wildfire, how it can ignite a house, and what to do about it.
- An on-line program that provides homeowners a do-it-yourself fire hazard assessment focusing on YOUR home and a customized action plan detailing actions YOU can take to dramatically reduce YOUR risk of wildfire damage. The on-line system will, amongst other things, send you messages automatically reminding you when it is time to clean the roof gutters, prune trees, and so forth.
Click here get your assessment now: Living With Wildfire Home Assessment
Why should we care?
Wildfires have become a fact of life. In the past 7 years, San Diego has been hit by two "100-year" wildfires. Many areas that burned in 2003 burned again in 2007. As this is written, more than 1,000 square miles in California have burned, before the 2008 fire season has even begun in earnest.
Research has shown that a majority of the property losses in a wildfire can be prevented by homeowners following a few simple steps. This project aims to help residents identify and implement those steps.
What is this project about?
This project consists of two parts:
- A series of in-depth workshops for those who want fully understand the dynamics of a wildfire, how it can ignite a house, and what to do about it.
- An on-line program that provides homeowners a do-it-yourself fire hazard assessment focusing on YOUR home and a customized action plan detailing actions YOU can take to dramatically reduce YOUR risk of wildfire damage. The on-line system will, amongst other things, send you messages automatically reminding you when it is time to clean the roof gutters, prune trees, and so forth.
The program also provides opportunities and real incentives for communities to tackle these issues collectively by sharing resources, buying bulk materials at a discount, and organizing community action plans.
The workshops and on-line program are offered free of charge to Rancho Bernardo residents. Both are based on the latest scientific principles developed by UC Berkeley's Center for Fire Research and Outreach and other fire experts.
WHO IS BEHIND THIS PROJECT?
This project is sponsored by RB United, a coalition of community organizations led by concerned individuals and organizations led by the Rancho Bernardo Community Foundation, which formed in the aftermath of the 2007 wildfires to help with the recovery of Rancho Bernardo. As part of the effort to educate homeowners and mitigate future wildfire damage, Community Green Scene, under the RB United umbrella, has joined forces with Business and Ecology Consulting, a group of veteran wildfire and ecology scientists, to launch a community-wide first-of-its-kind wildfire risk assessment and action tool. The project is funded by The San Diego Foundation's After the Fires Fund and is led by local wildfire experts.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Here's the schedule, with options to attend one or more activities, on different days and times of the week. Attend all three classes on Tuesday or Thursday evenings, or on Saturday mornings. Or mix up the dates and locations. Complete the personalized home assessment online, and make an action plan. For more information, contact rbunitedfirewise@gmail.com or 858.485.8502.
LIVING WITH WILDFIRE CLASS
This three-hour class will focus on how houses ignite, attributes of ignition-resistant structures and firewise landscaping, responsible fuel/brush management and the costs of excessive vegetation reduction, quick low-cost maintenance and retrofits to reduce property risks, community assessments, and more.
Dates and Locations: Tuesday, July 22, 6-9 pm at Westwood Club Gymnasium; Thursday, August 7, 6-9 pm at the Rancho Bernardo Library; and Saturday, August 2, 2-5 pm at RB Swim & Tennis Club (all classes are identical, attend only one!)
HOMESITE SELF-ASSESSMENT CLASS
This two-hour session is conducted by a local fire behavior specialist, who will inspect and assess property risks at two homesites for structures as well as landscaping. Learn how to complete your own home assessment, and discover what is going on next door and down the street.
Dates and Locations: Tuesday, July 29, 5-7pm; Thursday, August 14, 5-7pm; and Saturday, August 9, 2-4 pm. Locations will be provided to those who register at RB United, 858.485.8502; homeowners can attend all three or only one.
PERSONALIZED HOME ASSESSMENT
Each homeowner will have the opportunity to conduct a simple 15-minute on-line survey that will produce an individualized risk assessment of their home. After completing the assessment, each homeowner will also get an easy-to-understand checklist of action items rated by priority, cost and ease of implementation, and a list of resources for those interested in taking action.
Dates and Location: July 22 – September 1, online. Instructions for using the online survey will be discussed during the Home Self- Assessment Class. A link to the online survey will be available beginning July 22 for RB United homeowners. Hard copies of the survey will be available at RB United offices for those who do not have a computer and assistance will be provided to guide you through the process.
HOMEOWNERS' ACTION PLANNING WORKSHOP
During this 2-hour session, you will be guided through your personalized checklist and develop action plans for maintenance and retrofits for your house.
Dates and Locations: Tuesday, August 5, 6-8 pm at Westwood Club's gymnasium; Thursday, August 21, 6-8 pm at the Rancho Bernardo Library; and Saturday, August 16, 2-4 pm at RB Swim & Tennis Club (all classes are identical, attend only one!)
LOCATION ADDRESSES
Westwood Club Gymnasium: 17394 W. Bernardo Drive, San Diego
Rancho Bernardo Library: 17110 Bernardo Center Dr, San Diego
RB Swim & Tennis Club: 16955 Bernardo Oaks Drive, San Diego
CALENDAR AT A GLANCE
| July 22 –Sept. 1 |
SELF HOME ASSESSMENT SURVEY. Online |
| July 22, 6-9 pm |
LIVING WITH WILDFIRE CLASS. Westwood Club Gymnasium |
| July 29, 5-7 pm |
HOME ASSESSMENT CLASS . Location TBA |
| August 2, 2-5 pm |
LIVING WITH WILDFIRE CLASS. RB Swim & Tennis Club |
| August 5, 6-8 pm |
HOMEOWNERS' ACTION PLANNING workshop. WCG |
| August 7, 6-9 pm |
LIVING WITH WILDFIRE CLASS. Rancho Bernardo Library |
| August 9, 2-4 pm |
HOME ASSESSMENT CLASS . Location TBA |
| August 14, 5-7pm |
HOME ASSESSMENT CLASS . Location TBA |
| August 16, 2-4 pm |
HOMEOWNERS' ACTION PLANWORKSHOP. RB Swim & Tennis Club |
| August 21, 6-8 pm |
HOMEOWNERS' ACTION PLANNING WORKSHOP. RB Library |
HELP US SPREAD THE WORD
WE ARE IN THIS ONE TOGETHER! Regardless of our preferences, we no longer live in isolation. The environmental risks facing us today know no boundaries. Particularly in the case of wildfires, what our neighbors do next door and down the street is as important as how we build our homes and maintain our own surroundings.
Help us inspire your neighbors to get involved by spreading the word about how to mitigate our fire risk TOGETHER -TODAY! We need volunteers to help with telephone calling, distributing flyers and other tasks to help spread the word about how each of us can truly make a difference.
HOW DO I GET INVOLVED?
Registration is encouraged but not required for classes. For more information about the program and volunteer opportunities, contact rbunitedfirewise@gmail.com, 858.485.8502 or visit www.rbunited.com.
