OSVFC - Firewise

On January 6th of 2026, Tess and I (Keith) were notified that our Firewise package was approved and we are now an officially recognized Firewise Community. For those of you on the FAIR PLAN for fire insurance you will now receive a 4% discount on your bill (Let your Insurance Agent know). As part of our certification package we needed to submit a 3-year Action Plan. The highlights of the plan for 2026 are listed below. We are counting on everyone to get involved - we can make a difference and ensure our community survives a wildfire. If you have an idea of how to make our community more fire resilient please let us know by sending an e-mail to osvfc@outlook.com

Overall Action Plan

Our local community is located within the wildland urban interface and intermix in the Lassen National Park area roughly outlined by the CA 44/89 road from the entrance to Lassen National Park going North to the turnoff for Susanville on CA-44. This proposed Firewise USA™ Site Community Wildfire Action Plan was developed through input received during the Spring 2025 Firewise Assessment and an after-action review of the Dixie and Park Fires that affected our community. The goal of the Plan is to develop a strategy to incrementally outreach, educate, and implement efforts to make our neighborhood and the surrounding area more fire resilient. As a Community we understand a wildfire in our area is not a matter of "if" but "when" and it is our responsibility to be prepared for that day.”

Education and Outreach Goals

1. The Firewise Committee will meet regularly and coordinate with the OSVFC Board to support continued outreach and education of our community.

2. We will provide Ready-Set-Go bags to all members of the community and include in them information on home hardening, fuel reduction, evacuation locations, pet preparedness, and Firewise pamphlets.

3. We will provide at no cost to our community members the opportunity to receive a home hardening inspection with recommendations on how to meet the guidelines for Fire Zones around their homes.

4. We are planning on hosting at least 3 community work days where we help elderly home owners clean up their homes and yards at no cost to them.

5. Establish web site (www.osvfc.com) with information on home hardening and fire awareness tools (Watch Duty, etc.).

Home Hardening Goals

1. Ensure all homeowners are aware of the risk presented by blowing embers and work to enclose all eaves, porches and decks to reduce this risk.

2. Provide a list of vendors that can help with home clean up and hardening

3. We will provide all homes with free reflective address signs to place at the end of their driveways to expedite the location of their homes in an emergency.

4. Provide educational materials on fire resistant plants and landscaping.

5. Ensure all homeowners ensure the tremendous risk reduction that can be achieved through metal roofing, concrete siding, metal fencing, and Zone 0 maintenance

Defensible Space / Fuel Reduction Goals

1. Reduce fuel load in yards by sponsoring Green Waste Days at no cost to the community. We allow people to dump trees, brush and pine needles that will be taken to a compost site.

2. Provide educational speakers at our annual community meetings to explain the importance of properly maintaining your home and yard. Build enthusiasm rather then resignation. There are steps we can take that make a big difference. While it is impossible to achieve 100% assurance any home will survive there is a lot that can be done to dramatically improve a home's odds of survival.

3. Provide free inspections to explain home hardening options and the importance of complying with the various Fire Zone Guidelines.

4. Utilize the Shasta Fire Safe Council's Chipper Program to support the removal of tree limbs and trunks.

Evacuation Planning (Ex. Preparedness & Routing) and Wildfire Preparedness

1. Our Ready-Set-Go Bags include information on evacuation routes and collection points.

2. Provide cabin owners/renters with information on how to create their personal evacuation plan when visiting Old Station.

3. Work to ensure there are at least two clearly marked evacuation routes from every neighborhood.

4. Work to ensure awareness of logging and unpaved roads that could be used if the main thoroughfare (CA-44/89) is blocked off due to fire.