Breaking News

By Firewise Committee

Friday, February 13 (1:30pm): On Oct. 28, 2025, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recognized Rossmoor as a Firewise Community. The NFPA recognizes Rossmoor’s continuing efforts to reduce the potential impact of wildfires through various initiatives, such as maintenance of the $3.1 million shaded fuel break that surrounds most of Rossmoor as well as almost 2,000 volunteer hours in 2025, including a well-attended Town Hall event in January.

Some insurance companies promote Firewise recognition by providing property insurance discounts to homeowners. In addition, Rossmoor’s recognition as a Firewise Community has been cited by RWC’s insurance broker as a contributing factor in securing improved coverage in the master property insurance policy.

The recognition came from the efforts of the Rossmoor Firewise Committee, which was started in 2023 by Jeroen Wright, director of Rossmoor Public Works. The mission of the Firewise Committee is to promote the reduction of wildfire risk while maintaining Rossmoor’s quality of life.

Firewise Committee membership was expanded in 2025 with the addition of seven new members. The committee members include Chairman Wright, plus Bob Kelso, Ted Bentley, Dennis Fay, Cheryl Hines, Loran Schlevin, Kris Carey, Andy Howard, Kathy Tate, Phil Omi, John Fiske, Chip Yamaguchi, Lyman Shaffer, Coralee Wilkes, Don Couch and Kevin Moore.

The committee is planning a number of outreach efforts in 2026, including a Town Hall event in September, a speaker series on fire-related topics, a website portal on the soon-to-be-revised www.myrossmoor.com website, and other activities. The committee is also evaluating the impact of potential new state regulations, including vegetation management near residences, expected to be issued in June.