Scorching summer temperatures continued to reach past 100 degrees this week in most parts of Napa County. With measurable rainfall two months out, these enjoyable balmy evenings carry a slightly ominous memory of past fires and earthquakes that occurred during this part of the year.

On a visit to the city of Napa Planning Department this week I was attracted to a publication and project that has produced incredible value for Napa County home owners that live in fire sensitive locations.

The program “Firewise Napa” was begun in May of 2005 with a five-year education and prevention program. This community awareness effort combined the money and energy of each of our five municipalities and Napa County.

In a collaborative effort reminiscent of the flood control project each of the municipalities worked with “fire prevention professionals, public agencies, business owners and concerned residents” to create a comprehensive document that covers all issues relating to the preparation for and the survival of a catastrophic wildland fire.

Consistent with the collaborative effort of the participants, the Firewise Napa logo includes the expressions “sharing the responsibility” and “County-Cities-Community.”

Contrary to past and present accusations that our city and county governments do not work together in harmony, this effort clearly reflect energies and resources coming together for the common good of all residents to resolve a common problem.

Aided by a grant from the “Western States Wildland Urban Interface Project” and local fire agencies, this 12-page color document is required reading for all residents of our county and particularly those located in fire sensitive areas.

The document includes a list of phone numbers for all fire agencies of Napa County, a list of fire-wise planting materials, a lean and green check list, frequently asked questions and examples of how actual fires behave in different locations and habitats.

Past experience tells us that wildfires in Napa County have created a potential for “greater loss of life, increased property losses, more damage to natural resources and more money needed for fire fighting.”

To the extent that residents heed the information and direction provided, we can reduce and minimize the damage and danger created by local fires.

In addition to the comprehensive information contained in the homeowner’s guide available at your local planning department, more information is available at www.co.napa.ca.us, www.co.napa.ca.us/firewise and www.firewise.org.

Firewise essays also appear in the Register’s Home & Garden section on Saturdays.

Even if you are not living in a fire sensitive area, you may find another reason to examine this tangible result of a collaborative effort. While this effort is specifically about fire, our valley is confronted with other issues such as transportation, water supply and housing that will also require a collaborative effort to resolve.

The future quality of life might well be determined by this one defining issue: the ability of our county and municipal governments to work in a collaborative manner.

By accepting the reality that we are one valley and one community, the efforts of Firewise Napa provide a template for the resolution of many more issues that confront our community. 

Charles Bogue is a broker with Coldwell Banker Brokers of the Valley in Napa, where he offers real estate marketing services as the CB Team. Phone: 258-5221, e-mail: cbnapa@napanet.net.