About

What is the BACCA Firewise Community?

The Bloomfield and Cooper Community Area (BACCA) Firewise Community is a Firewise Community that encompasses the areas surrounding North Bloomfield Road, Cooper Road, and Highway 20, just east of Nevada City, CA (see map here). If your property is contained within those boundaries, then you are automatically considered a member of the BACCA Firewise Community and are eligible for all benefits, regardless of how much you wish to participate.

Firewise Communities are members of Firewise USA, a component of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). The NFPA is a national non-profit established in 1896 to regulate and standardize how we protect ourselves from fire. Firewise Communities provide a collaborative framework to help neighbors in a geographic area get organized, find direction, and take action to increase the ignition resistance of their homes and community and to reduce wildfire risks at the local level.

The Firewise USA program is administered by NFPA and is co-sponsored by the USDA Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters. While the NFPA administers this program, individuals and communities participate on a voluntary basis. Any community that meets a set of voluntary criteria on an annual basis and retains an “In Good Standing Status” may identify itself as being a Firewise Site.

What are the Benefits of a Firewise Community?

The Firewise USA program, led by the NFPA, offers a structured approach for communities to enhance their wildfire resilience in California. This initiative promotes collaborative efforts among residents, local fire departments, and other key stakeholders to bolster the fire resistance of homes and surroundings. Integral to California’s wildfire preparedness strategy, the program is supported by CAL FIRE’s Community Wildfire Preparedness & Mitigation Division, aiding communities in achieving Firewise designation.

Benefits include:

• Enhanced Safety. By adopting Firewise practices, communities can significantly reduce the risk of wildfire damage to homes and properties, leading to a safer living environment.
  
• Community Preparedness. Firewise Communities are better prepared for wildfires, with established evacuation plans, trained residents, and coordinated response efforts.
  
• Access to Resources. Recognized Firewise Communities can access grants and funding opportunities for fire prevention and mitigation projects, helping to implement further safety measures.
  
• Increased Property Value. Homes and properties in Firewise Communities may have higher property values due to the reduced risk of wildfire damage and the community’s commitment to safety.
  
• Insurance Benefits. Some insurance companies offer discounts or incentives to homeowners in Firewise Communities, recognizing the reduced risk and proactive measures taken. The California FAIR plan offers two insurance discounts for Firewise Communities: 10% for protecting the structure, and 5% for protecting the immediate surrounding area (for a cumulative total discount of 14.5%).
  
• Community Cohesion. Working together on Firewise projects fosters a sense of community and collaboration, strengthening bonds among residents and enhancing overall community resilience.

What are the Requirements for BACCA Residents?

There are no annual membership dues or fees and participation is entirely voluntary for individual residents. However, as a whole, BACCA needs to meet the following requirements:

• Establish a governing board or committee that consists of residents and key stakeholders. BACCA is run by a steering committee that consists of local residents who wish to improve our area’s wildfire readiness by prioritizing safety, communication, and emergency preparedness.
• Develop a wildfire risk assessment every five years (at least 70% of residents must complete this assessment in order to qualify as an official Firewise Community).
• Create and maintain a wildfire action plan, prioritizing risk reduction projects that include homeowner suggestions and community education, to be revisited and updated every three years.
• BACCA members, as a whole, must log at least one hour of volunteer work per structure per year. (i.e., if there are 100 homes, then BACCA must log at least 100 volunteer hours per year, which could mean all 100 members perform one hour, or twenty members could perform five hours).
• Maintain good standing with Firewise USA by satisfying the above requirements.

What should I do now as a BACCA member?

As a BACCA member, your participation is entirely voluntary and is not required to maintain membership. However, the more people who participate will more accurately reflect our community’s need and will open up more resources that we can better prioritize for the most critical projects.

To participate in BACCA’s efforts to improve our community’s wildfire preparedness, start here:

1. Join our email list to stay up-to-date on any developments and announcements (your email address is not shared with any third parties).
2. Complete the self-assessment (this information is anonymized and is not shared with any banks, insurers, or other third parties).
3. Complete the volunteer hourly worksheet for all work you’ve performed, including any expenses, over the last two years (examples of such work are at the bottom of our Forms page). Complete this form at least once a year to keep us updated of these hours/expenses.
4. Attend any BACCA meetings or events to help keep our community prepared for wildfires. The best way to find out about these events is to sign up for our email list or to check the home page.
5. If you wish to volunteer for BACCA (e.g., to help set up radio communications and relays, or organize a work party), please contact us.