Community Information & Wildfire Preparedness
A Firewise Community
In Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
This site was created to share information, ideas, and resources related to wildfire preparedness, home hardening, landscaping ideas, and community topics that affect our neighborhood.
The goal is to provide a place where neighbors can share ideas and learn from each other about ways to reduce wildfire risk and protect our homes.
This is not the official HOA management site, but an informational resource for residents.
Topics Covered on This Site
- Wildfire ember protection and home hardening
- Landscaping ideas to reduce fire risk
- Community discussion and ideas
- HOA documents and meeting minutes
- Resources and links related to wildfire preparedness
Latest Updates
- The First Five Feet Around Your House May Be the Most Important
Wildfire experts often talk about the area immediately around a house as the 0–5 foot zone. This area, right next to the house, may be the most important area to keep clear of materials that can ignite from embers. If embers land right next to a wall, window, or door and ignite something in that area,… Read more: The First Five Feet Around Your House May Be the Most Important - Why Wind-Blown Embers Are the Biggest Risk to Homes
When most people think about wildfires, they imagine a large wall of flames moving through an area and burning everything in its path. In reality, many homes are not lost from the main fire front, but from wind-blown embers that can travel long distances ahead of the fire. During major wildfires, burning embers can be carried by… Read more: Why Wind-Blown Embers Are the Biggest Risk to Homes - We can make a difference
Over the past several years, wildfires have become an increasing concern throughout California and especially in communities like ours that are located near open space and natural vegetation. One important thing we have learned from recent fires is that many homes are not lost from the main fire front, but from wind-blown embers that travel… Read more: We can make a difference