Community Wildfire Defense in the Greater Santa Fe Fireshed

As conscientious landowners and residents, it is our shared responsibility to fortify our homes against the looming specter of fire. The frequency and intensity of wildfires are on the rise, underscoring the urgent need for proactive measures. By taking steps to prepare our homes and communities, we not only safeguard our properties but also contribute to the collective resilience of our neighborhood.

Through the Fire Safe Santa Fe project, we aim to assist landowners in their efforts to create fire-resilient communities across the Greater Santa Fe Fireshed. From 2024 – 2029, our project has 4 goals:

  • Increase the number of education and outreach events focused on wildfire safety, home hardening, defensible space, and community wildfire defense

  • Increase the number and geographic coverage of Fireshed Ambassadors throughout the Greater Santa Fe Fireshed and beyond

  • Conduct 500+ Home Hazard Assessments

  • Treat 125+ acres of high-priority risk areas within the Greater Santa Fe Fireshed

We need YOUR HELP to achieve this!

Where do I start?

Schedule a FREE Home Hazard Assessment

Funded through the Community Wildfire Defense Grant (CWDG), we are offering complimentary home hazard assessments.

Our assessments are conducted by our Fire and Fuels Coordinator, Carlos Saiz; and our Fireshed Coordinator, Maya Hilty.

  • Carlos brings over a decade of wildfire experience, leveraging his expertise to identify potential hazards and provide actionable recommendations for home safety.

  • Maya has a background in environmental studies and communications with training in mitigation best practices , using her knowledge to develop comprehensive mitigation plans that enhance home hardening and defensible space strategies based on Carlos’s assessment.

Once your assessment is completed, you will receive an email with your report, as well as a link to apply for our cost-share program, which will grant landowners partial reimbursement for mitigation work.

Get your neighbors involved!

Let’s work together to coordinate a community event in your neighborhood. We can provide expert staff and printed materials (at no cost) to discuss topics related to wildfire safety, home hardening, defensible space, community wildfire defense, and so on. Schedule an appointment with us to discuss the needs of your community, and how we can assist in educating you and your neighbors.

If you cannot find a suitable date and time on our calendar for either service, please fill out this form, and we will arrange a custom appointment for you.

Join the Fireshed Ambassador Program

Our goal is to build a community of knowledgeable and proactive stewards of the land, who prioritize wildfire resilience in managing their properties and collaborating with neighboring lands. Developing the ability to identify and address community needs, and taking proactive steps to enhance them, is a skill that improves with practice and support from like-minded peers.

At the heart of our initiative lies the belief that fostering strong community connections is crucial to tackling wildfire challenges effectively. We want to provide a supportive space where folks can connect, learn, and collaborate to make a meaningful impact on wildfire preparedness and safety in our region.

What do I do in the meantime?

Utilize the DIY Home Hazard Assessment Guide

While you’re waiting for your scheduled assessment, you can take proactive steps to ensure your property is as safe as possible. Start by reading our DIY Home Hazard Assessment Guide. This guide provides a comprehensive checklist to help you identify potential fire hazards around your home. Take a walk around your property with the checklist in hand, and carefully examine each area. Look for common hazards such as overgrown vegetation, flammable materials near your home, and inadequate clearance around structures.

As you conduct this preliminary assessment, take note of any questions or concerns that arise. These might include uncertainties about specific hazards, best practices for mitigation, or clarifications on the assessment criteria. Bringing these questions to your professional assessment will help ensure that you receive thorough and tailored advice.

By using the DIY guide, you not only gain a better understanding of your property’s vulnerabilities but also begin the important process of making your home more resilient to wildfires. This early preparation can significantly contribute to your overall safety and the effectiveness of the professional assessment.

Talk with your neighbors

Mitigation work is most effective when approached on a broader landscape scale. Engaging with your neighbors about wildfire preparedness can lead to more comprehensive and effective mitigation efforts. By planning and coordinating these efforts at the neighborhood and community levels, we can save significant time and resources compared to working on individual properties in isolation.

Start by initiating conversations with your neighbors about the importance of wildfire mitigation and the benefits of working together. Share information about the risks you’ve identified on your property and encourage them to conduct their own assessments using the DIY Home Hazard Assessment Guide. Highlight the advantages of collective action, such as reduced costs and increased efficiency for contractors, when multiple properties are treated simultaneously.

If several neighbors express interest in mitigation work, we can help develop a comprehensive scope of work that addresses all participating properties, and if qualified, cost-share appropriately among participants. This approach not only lowers the overall cost but also ensures a more thorough and cohesive treatment of the landscape, enhancing the safety and resilience of the entire community.

Our message to you

Wildfire preparedness doesn’t stop at your property line. Everyone in the Greater Santa Fe Fireshed and surrounding areas face similar or related challenges. Some areas have only one road for entry and exit. Other areas have many second homes that remain unoccupied throughout the year. Many more have residents who do not have the means to manage their land effectively. It's our collective responsibility as a community to coordinate and cooperate in reducing wildfire risks and safeguarding everyone's home, land, and lives. These issues cannot be resolved overnight, nor can they be alleviated by individuals alone. As a collective, we can mitigate these issues and create a safer, more resilient environment for all. By working together, sharing resources, and supporting one another, we can build a community that is better prepared for wildfires and capable of protecting the places we call home.

The GSFFC is a coalition of public and private organizations. The GSFFC is not a subdivision of the State of New Mexico, as defined in the state’s Open Meetings Act, §§ 10-15-1 to 10-15-4 NMSA 1978. Although federal agencies participate in the GSFFC, the Coalition is not a federal advisory board and was not created by a federal agency, as defined by the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), 5.U.S.C. app. 2, §§ 1 to 16 (2012). The GSFFC operates informally to support its partners, and is not incorporated as a non-profit, 501(C)(3), partnership, or other legal status.