Skyland Firewise

In late February, Miles Wynn announced at a Skyland Firewise meeting that the has met all requirements to be approved for the 2026 calendar year. Our three-year project list is in development, as well. Miles’ presentation covered information on the proposed requirements for the five- foot area around the perimeter of a home, termed “Zone Zero.” This area must be free of any combustible materials, including plants and mulch, to prevent flying embers from collecting and starting a fire that would move onto the structure. Bare dirt or gravel are recommended.

We discussed the 12 new home-hardening discounts for homeowners who are covered by the California Fair Plan. They include five discounts related to the areas immediately surrounding the home, five specific to features of the structure itself, and two community-level mitigation designations, including being a member of a Firewise Community. If you have a California Fair Plan insurance policy, you should have received a letter detailing the requirements for these discounts. If you have not received the letter, contact your insurance broker.

Joining Miles was the rest of the steering committee: Warren Barnes, Cheryl Clifford, Shelly Kanady, Deana Arnold, Peggy Johnson, and Nancy Cole. Warren shared the community map, which consists of approximately 200 properties. Cheryl managed the group-discount purchase of metal-reflective address-number signs from the Zayante Fire Protection District.

The signs were available for pick-up at the meeting. Last October, the first Skyland Firewise workday was held on a lower portion of Skyland Road. Although initially planned for two days, the team was able to clear 0.6 miles of roadside and chip 287 cubic feet of brush in only nine hours.

Many volunteers helped with the organization, physical labor, and providing water, snacks, and lunch to the team. Homeowners contributed to pay for the equipment: Ryan DalPorto’s excavator and a chipper from SCM Landworks. A second workday is being planned for this spring to complete the work on south Skyland Road. To volunteer, scan this QR code with your cell phone.