Hollister Ranch Preserve
Hollister Ranch Preserve is proud to be recognized as a Firewise Community.
“Propane and Fire Safety Tip: Close the propane shutoff valve when you’re away for multiple days. Keep brush and vegetation cleared 10–20 feet around the tank—20 feet is best—and never allow brush to touch the tank. Keep fire extinguishers on site and in your car.”
Firewise USA is a recognition program managed by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). The program provides a collaborative framework for a community to become informed of wildfire danger and collectively reduce wildfire risk. Our local Santa Barbara County Fire Safe Council has been instrumental in helping communities through the Firewise recognition process.
To become recognized as a Firewise community, a wildfire risk assessment is developed and an action plan is built to reduce that risk. The Hollister Ranch Community Fire Community (HRFC) developed several guiding documents, specifically the Community Wildfire Protection Plan, that informed this process.
HRFC is primarily funded by our owner assessments. The department invests approximately $187,000 each year in wildfire mitigation projects. These funds, projects, and community education outreach meet the additional requirements of the Firewise certification process.
There are multiple benefits of being a Firewise-certified community, including increased access to grant funding, increased community connection, and potential benefits from insurance companies.
How can I get my Firewise certificate?
Firewise certificates for HROA is available to view, download and print below.
Recent evidence suggests that residents of Firewise USA sites are less likely to see “non-renewal” letters and may even receive a discounted rate from their current insurer as much as 10% (+/-), including the California Fair Plan. Discounts and eligibility differ by company. We urge you to contact your provider to see what benefits you may be able to receive.
There are many meaningful ways to get involved in wildfire mitigation and help make our community more resilient:
Attend Community Meetings: These meetings are a great way to stay informed, ask questions, and learn about local efforts. They also offer an opportunity to connect with neighbors and first responders before an emergency, which is a key part of preparedness.
Connect with Your Neighborhood: These gatherings help build relationships, share resources, and spark collaboration on mitigation efforts.
Participate in the Neighborhood Chipping Program: Each year, we’ve been lucky to get grant funding to support our chipping program in conjunction with the Santa Barbara County Fire Safe Council.
Create and maintain Defensible Space: The cornerstone of community wildfire preparedness is for every property owner to maintain defensible space. Learn more about defensible space and reach out to schedule a complimentary Defensible Space Survey of your property with our Wildland Fire Specialist, Scott Coffman.
Explore the Home Hardening Assistance Program: Home hardening is one of the most impactful steps a homeowner can take to reduce wildfire risk.
Your involvement helps strengthen the safety of our entire community. Every action makes a difference.
