The Greater Flagstaff Forests Partnership and the Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network are hosting a Firewise Landscaping Contest! The contest recognizes homeowners’ efforts in creating a Firewise home in their community, while also demonstrating that Firewise landscaping can be beautiful as well.

The contest is open to residents of the Greater Flagstaff Area, including city and county residents. A total of $1000 in prizes will be awarded to top contestants. The first place winner will be awarded $500 for the home that exhibits the best of Firewise principles and overall aesthetic appeal. Second place will receive $250, third place - $150, and fourth place - $100. Entries must be submitted by Wednesday, May 4th and judging will begin Monday, May 9th. Prizes will be presented at an awards luncheon on May 18th. Public safety, forestry, insurance, arboriculture, and natural resource professionals will represent the judging panel.

Wildfire is the greatest threat to our community.  Homeowners play an essential role in preparing their homes and communities from the threat of wildfire.  By reducing the density of flammable vegetation, cleaning up pine needles, flammable debris, moving firewood away from structures, and using effective Firewise landscaping trees and shrubs, we can improve the safety of our homes and community from wildfire.

Among the many principles of Firewise, the following are some general guidelines for the home landscape:

-Remove dead leaves, pine needles, and debris from the yard, driveway, walkways, roof, and gutters.
-Break up the continuity of the vegetation with decorative rock, gravel, and stepping stone pathways. This will slow the spread of fire across your property.
-When considering new plants for your landscape, choose plants of high moisture content and low potential for flammability. Remove and avoid highly resinous plants closest to your home.
-Plants nearest your home should be more widely spaced and smaller than those further away
-Plant in small, irregular clusters and islands, not in large masses.
-Use a variety of plant species to support a mixed and healthy landscape. Diversity of plants in the landscape will result in fewer insects and diseases and will better resist fire ignition and spread.

Visit www.firewise.org for more Firewise landscaping ideas, tips, and examples.

Visit http://flagstaff.az.gov/wildlandfire to learn more about the contest, free home assessments, and more!

To enter, please mail your first and last name, address, phone number and email address to:

Firewise Landscaping Contest

c/o Flagstaff Fire Department

211 West Aspen Avenue

Flagstaff, AZ 86001

Alternatively, you can enter by: 1) emailing this information to: jbyrne@flagstaffaz.gov, 2) calling (928) 213-2500, or 3) visiting Flagstaff City Hall Fire Administration office at 211 West Aspen Avenue.