Firewise Communities

The Firewise Communities program is a national organization of wildland fire management agencies. These agencies are working together to supply information to community members who are living with the possibility of wildfire. The Iowa DNR is proud to be a part of this national program and be able to provide Iowans with information about how they can work together to reduce wildfire risks.

	Becoming Firewise is a process. Being Firewise is not difficult, but requires commitment. A Firewise person or community pays attention to the details in their environment that might start or encourage the spread of a wildfire. Take the possibility of a wildfire seriously and prepare before a fire starts. When adequately prepared, a house and its surrounding community can be both Firewise and compatible with the area's ecosystem. To help you get started with becoming Firewise in Iowa, please click on a topic from the list below: How to Protect Your Home,*.pdf An illustrated brochure of the fire safety zones around your home. For an easy access resource, print this 2-page brochure backed on legal size paper (8½"x14"), then fold into 4 panels. Firewise on the Farm,*.pdf Six simple steps to a safer harvest Wildland/Urban Landscape,*.pdf Beginning steps of fire prevention for your rural property Is Your Landscape Fire Resistant?,*.pdf A condensed checklist for assessing your property To help you measure your home's fire risk and determine what improvements need to be made, use the Forest Home Fire Risk Form. Please take the time to fill out the form carefully and honestly.
	Additional resources can be found on the following links: The national Firewise Communities website Information on Firewise projects, trainings, and communities from across the USA. The Wisconsin DNR Firewise website This has a nice Midwest connection with many downloadable documents that can greatly assist you in preparing your home, property, and community against the spread of a wildfire.

Wildland Fire Program Headquarters
DNR State Forest Nursery, 2404 S Duff Ave., Ames, IA 50010
Phone: 515-233-1161 Fax: 515-233-1131

Iowa DNR Fire Supervisor, Gail Kantak; Gail.Kantak@dnr.iowa.gov
Fire Specialist, Training Coordinator, Ryan Schlater; Ryan.Schlater@dnr.iowa.gov
Fire Specialist, FEPP Manager, Karl Harris; Karl.Harris@dnr.iowa.gov
Smokey Bear/Prevention, Kandyce Weigel; Kandy.Weigel@dnr.iowa.gov

Or contact your Iowa DNR Area Forester:
Loess Hills State Forest, Brent Olson; Brent.Olson@dnr.iowa.gov
Shimek State Forest, John Byrd; John.Byrd@dnr.iowa.gov
Stephens State Forest, Jessica Flatt; Jessica.Flatt@dnr.iowa.gov
Yellow River State Forest, Robert Honeywell; Robert.Honeywell@dnr.iowa.gov

To take Firewise to the community level, attend city meetings and talk with your local Urban Planners as they consider spreading urban growth into natural areas. Another way to get information into the community is to organize a yard waste chipping day. Working with neighbors to thin out overgrown vegetation and to share expenses, makes wildfire preparedness affordable as well as your neighborhood fire resistant.

If your neighborhood would like to participate on the national level of Firewise, visit Firewise Communities USA Recognition Program.