Wildfire Preparation

Despite all prevention efforts, wildfires will occur. However, there are actions you can take to prepare and protect your home, property, and community.

Protect Your Home

Living in a house surrounded by nature and woodlands can be peaceful and beautiful, but it can also be risky. Many Virginians living in and around wildlands need to consider the fire-prone nature of these ecosystems. Homeowners can take steps to protect their property and help alleviate the spread of wildland fires.

Learn more about how to protect your home.

Protect Your Property

The key to protecting your property is defensible space. The good news is that there are actions you can take to create defensible space and reduce your risk.

Learn more about how to protect your property.

Protect Your Community

Living in a woodland community requires careful planning to protect homes and property from wildfires. Learn how to live safely in the wildland/urban interface area by becoming a Firewise Community.

Learn more about how to protect your community.

Financial Assistance Programs for Wildfire Preparation and Suppression

Financial assistance may be available to support your wildfire preparation, prevention, and suppression efforts, such as reducing potential threats for wildfire.

Learn more about financial assistance programs to support wildfire preparation, prevention, and suppression efforts.


Additional Resources

ImageTitleIDDescriptionContent TypeViewhf:tax:document-categoryhf:tax:Media
Fire Adaptive Landscaping for Native Habitats and Wildlife in the Southern Coastal Plain
Fire Adaptive Landscaping for Native Habitats and Wildlife in the Southern Coastal Plain

Book was prepared by the Georgia Forestry Commission, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Coastal Wildscapes, and Firewise Communities to provide every resident and business owner has the opportunity to enhance wildlife habitat and natural ecological systems by maintaining, or where necessary, restoring connectivity to the surrounding forests and other natural communities through landscaping and gardening activities. They can also address the very important issues of water conservation and loss of habitat from invasive species by using native plants and avoiding exotic plants when deciding what to plant. We invite all coastal plain individuals and communities to emphasize creative solutions to protect native habitats and wildlife while connecting with nature and achieving Firewise principals. This publication was created to give everyday people and everyday businesses guidelines for landscaping with these goals in mind.

Viewfire-and-emergency-response urban-and-community-forestrypublication
Firewise Communities for Virginia
Firewise Communities for VirginiaP00111

Brochure provides important steps to protecting your home and community from wildfire, including firewise landscaping, defensible space, fire-resistant roof and exterior construction, fire-resistant attachments, steps to becoming a firewise community, a disaster plan, defensible space, and emergency access. Printed copies available.

Viewfire-and-emergency-responsepublication
Firewise Landscaping Part 1: Overview
Firewise Landscaping Part 1: OverviewViewfire-and-emergency-responsevideo
Firewise Landscaping Part 2: Design and Installation
Firewise Landscaping Part 2: Design and InstallationViewfire-and-emergency-responsevideo
Firewise Landscaping Part 3: Maintenance
Firewise Landscaping Part 3: MaintenanceViewfire-and-emergency-responsevideo
Home Wildfire Safety Checklist - Is Your Home Firewise?
Home Wildfire Safety Checklist – Is Your Home Firewise?FT0002

Forestry topic information sheet provides a checklist of items to answer about your home to assist in identifying characteristics of your home that may require changes to improve the wildfire safety of your home.

Viewfire-and-emergency-responsepublication
Is Your Home Safe from a Wildfire
Is Your Home Safe from a WildfireViewfire-and-emergency-responsepublication

Contact Us

For more information or questions, e-mail us or use our contact form.