The State of California Board of Forestry has just announced that three fire agencies with roots on the mountain have been named to the 2024 Fire Risk Reduction Community list.
The Fire Risk Reduction Community list, as mandated by Public Resource Code 4290.1, is “a list of local agencies located in a state responsibility area or a very high fire hazard severity zone that meet best practices for local fire planning.”
The list is developed and maintained by the California’s Board of Forestry and Fire Protection, with the first iteration beginning July 1, 2022, and updated every two years thereafter.
The Mountain Rim Fire Safe Council (MRFSC) is pleased to share that Arrowbear Lake Fire Department, Big Bear Fire Authority and San Bernardino County Fire Protection District all made the effort to submit applications for this designation of Fire Risk Reduction Community (FRRC) to help the communities they serve. They were among the only 50 entities in the state awarded the recognition.
“Department staff spent over 60 hours developing the application and materials needed to be successful in this selection process,” said Chief Paul Lindley of the Arrowbear Lake Fire Department.
“Arrowbear Lake residents will be eligible for a homeowners insurance discount for being on the Fire Risk Reduction Community list. This discount is guaranteed as part of the California Department of Insurance’s ‘Safer from Wildfire’ program.” Chief Lindley further stated that this is a big step for Arrowbear Lake, and his department looks forward to working with the community to develop additional programs to bring added protection to Arrowbear Lake.
Big Bear Fire Authority Chief Jeff Willis is thrilled it now has a designation that can also assist property owners in its area.
MRFSC was able to catch Chief Willis on his way to a fire, and he had this to say: “We are proud to be designated a Fire Risk Reduction Community. This recognition underscores the collaborative efforts of our fire department and community in mitigating fire risk within our high-risk area. The application process itself proved valuable, prompting us to identify critical decision points as we strive towards enhanced fire resilience in Big Bear.”
San Bernardino County Fire Protection District also received the designation. This will benefit virtually every property in the county. While staff was not available at press time for a direct quote, Fire Chief Dan Munsey and County Fire personnel have previously expressed their enthusiasm for having the opportunity to assist residents through the Fire Risk Reduction Community list opportunity and dedicated many hours to preparing the application.
“We are happy to congratulate Chiefs Munsey, Willis and Lindley and their amazing staffs for achieving this well-deserved recognition!” said MRFSC President Laura Dyberg. “Their dedication to the communities during this tough time with home insurance premium challenges is truly commendable. These agencies went above and beyond to achieve a recognition that benefits the residents they serve. This is fantastic news.
“The Mountain Rim Fire Safe Council, along with the Inland Empire Fire Safe Alliance, is jumping for joy!” Dyberg added. “We proactively reached out to first responders and local governments earlier this year to encourage them to apply for the Fire Risk Reduction Community list (nonprofits are not eligible to apply). It’s a win for all of us to look forward to lower insurance rates, and this achievement is a shining example of what collaboration can achieve!”
For more information, contact Mountain Rim Fire Safe Council at www.FireSafeNow.org.
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