The NFPA’s Firewise USA® program continues to be one of the most effective community-based wildfire prevention efforts in the nation — and it’s playing a growing role in protecting Riverside County neighborhoods. For the past three years, MySafe:Riverside has been helping local communities achieve and maintain Firewise USA recognition, empowering residents to take collective action that reduces

Approximately 400 individuals attended the Orton Center at the University of Redlands, with an additional 350 participating remotely, for the California Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force Inland Empire Regional Meeting. Organized by the Inland Empire Community Foundation and the Inland Empire Resource Conservation District, the event convened wildfire professionals from both state and

Riverside County faces severe residential wildfire risk. Multiple analyses identify Riverside as having the most properties at wildfire risk of any U.S. county—and the exposure is growing as hotter, drier weather intersects with rapid development in the wildland-urban interface (WUI).   While exact totals vary by model and threshold, community-scale assessments indicate well

Wildfires are a common part of life in California, but different areas experience them in unique ways. While the extensive forests in Northern California often make the news, Riverside County offers a different kind of wildfire environment. Knowing these differences can help residents better prepare, safeguard their homes, and remain

MySafe:Riverside, a division of the Safe Community Project, is taking bold steps to protect lives across Riverside County and the greater Southern California region. Through its mission-driven campaign to install free smoke alarms in high-risk homes, the organization is working closely with local fire departments to ensure that every household, especially the most vulnerable, has access to this

On April 21st, MySafe:Riverside Executive Director David Barrett traveled to Sacramento to advocate for ongoing wildfire prevention support and to gain deeper insights into the implementation of Proposition 4, California’s new wildfire and climate resilience bond measure. Representing both MySafe:Riverside and MySafe:LA, Barrett joined a coalition of wildfire safety and land management leaders working to ensure

In early April, MySafe:Riverside Executive Director David Barrett traveled to Washington, D.C., as part of a significant national effort to advance wildfire safety and community resilience. Accompanied by Education Director Cameron Barrett, the team delivered a compelling presentation to the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM), emphasizing the urgent

Earlier this month, David Barrett, Executive Director of MySafe:Riverside, addressed the University of Southern California Undergraduate Student Government (USG) in a special presentation focused on the growing threat of wildfires and the critical role of individual preparedness. Though held in Los Angeles, the conversation struck a deep chord for students with ties to

As wildfire seasons grow longer and more destructive across California, the demand for faster, smarter, and more coordinated fire suppression efforts has never been greater. At the forefront of that response is CAL FIRE, the state’s lead wildfire agency, which has made significant advances in operational readiness and field capabilities over

In 2020, California enacted Assembly Bill 3074, mandating the creation of an “ember-resistant zone”—referred to as “Zone 0”—within five feet of structures in designated high fire hazard areas. This initiative aims to reduce the risk of homes igniting from wind-driven embers during wildfires, a leading cause of structural fires. Despite the

As wildfires grow more intense and unpredictable across Southern California, one thing is clear: no one can do this alone. Creating truly firesafe communities takes a collaborative effort—and right here in Riverside County, MySafe:Riverside is showing how it’s done. A division of the Safe Community Project, MySafe:Riverside works hand-in-hand with local fire departments,

In January 2025, a catastrophic firestorm swept across the Los Angeles basin, fueled by dry conditions, record-breaking wind gusts, and a dense accumulation of vegetation. The blaze moved at speeds surpassing 70 mph, overwhelming firefighting resources and triggering mass evacuations from hillside communities. For many Californians, it was a sobering reminder that no