Brush Clearance Letter From the Topanga Firewise Committee

Re: Topanga’s Annual Firewise Obligation - please log your brush clearing (and other Firewise) activities in our online form
Published June 28, 2022, at 1:00 p.m.

Dear Topanga Residents,

As we shared earlier this year on the One Topanga website, Topanga is now one of a select group of “Firewise” communities in the State. This recognition was awarded based on years of emergency preparedness efforts, largely focused on wildfires, by many nonprofits and individuals in the community. This designation entitles residents to a discount on several wildfire insurance premiums, including the FAIR Plan. In order for any resident to qualify for the discount, however, the community must collectively demonstrate a risk reduction effort valued at approximately $96,000 (or the equivalent of 3,200 volunteer hours) each year.

One of the simplest ways to accrue Firewise points for the community is to log your brush clearance efforts (either hours spent or the dollar amount paid) in our Firewise activity database. The database is quick and easy to use, and it places a premium on privacy. You do not have to provide a street address, phone number, or even any receipts. Any information that you do share will not be made public. The only purpose of the database is to enable us to aggregate community efforts and monitor activity at the Zone level to comply with the program requirements for widespread community access and participation.

To enter your brush clearance and other wildfire risk-reduction activities into the private Firewise database system, please visit our local Firewise Activity Reporting page and complete the brief form. For those who want to learn more about which activities count towards meeting the community’s annual Firewise risk reduction investment, please visit www.defensiblespace.org and www.ntcfsc.org.

Residential Property Insurance Companies Currently Offering Discounts for Fire Hardened Homes and/or Communities: https://www.insurance.ca.gov/01-consumers/105-type/95-guides/03-res/Insurers-Currently-Offering-Discounts.cfm

View the Topanga Firewise Map and input your address to confirm that your home is located within its boundaries.


If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to any Firewise Committee members at any time!

Kind regards,

The Topanga Firewise Committee members

• Beth Burnam - Topanga Canyon Fire Safe Council and Firewise Leader
• Will Carey - Arson Watch
• Carrie Carrier - Topanga Town Council and Firewise Leader
• Max Kramer - Kramer Insurance Services
• Antoine Kunsch - Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains (RCDSMM)
• Linnea Mielcarek - Neighborhood Network, TCEP
• Ryan Ulyate – Topanga Canyon Fire Safe Council