Living in the Black Forest means we are part of a wildland urban interface (WUI), where human development and undeveloped wildland meet and is often prone to experience wildfires. In these areas, structures and other human development intermingle with vegetative fuels and wildland, which are both fire-prone and fire-dependent.
A Forest Gate neighborhood wildfire-preparedness program was launched immediately following the Black Forest Fire of 2013, which burned over 14,280 acres and destroyed 509 homes. This devasting fire came within 1⁄4 of a mile of the Forest Gate Community, forcing the evacuation of our homes. Through an extensive and sustained voluntary efforts by homeowners to address essential wildfire preparedness, the Forest Gate subdivision has subsequently been designated a National Firewise Community every year since 2014.
The Firewise Committee is not an enforcement driven organization, but rather pursues a low-key helping hand approach intended to create a collaborative environment designed inspire and encourage homeowners to voluntarily mitigate as part of the neighborhood. The result has been consistent year to year efforts across the neighborhood that collectively maintains essential fire mitigation standards while preserving the health of the forest and our quality of our life in a wildland urban interface environment.
The Forest Gate Firewise Committee is a volunteer organization of homeowners currently comprised of: David Georgian (Chair), Mal Johnson (Grant Projects), and Rob Harasimowicz. We would appreciate another volunteer.