FireSmart

FireSmart ™ is a proactive program of Kootenai County and the National Fire Plan. Its purpose is to increase awareness of the hazards associated with wildfire in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) areas of Kootenai County and to mitigate those hazards wherever possible. Funding is provided through grants from our state and federal agencies.

Two-Fold Program

The program is two-fold:

  • Assists property owners in creating fuel breaks designed to protect themselves and their community from wildfire. For landowners whose property qualifies for treatment as a fuel break, the initial hazardous fuel treatment work is paid for through the FireSmart ™ program. Participants agree to maintain the work for a period of 10 years, or until they sell the property, whichever comes first.
  • Provide property owners with information and educational tools to make them a full partner in protecting their home or business from wildfire. FireSmart ™ helps landowners learn how to create a fire safe zone around their home, reduce the ignitability of structures and create safe access for firefighters and other emergency personnel. Your local Fire Districts are also available to help with home assessments.

Vegetation State Prior to Hazardous Fuel Reduction

Road Before Vegetation was Removed

After Hazardous Fuel Reduction Work Is Complete

Road After Vegetation was Removed

How Can I Participate?

  • Call (208) 446-1779 to inquire about grant funded hazardous fuels reduction work, or to ask questions about FireSmartTM
  • Please visit www.idahofirewise.org to learn more about fire and fuels in Idaho.

Fire Departments or 

Districts 

Phone Numbers

City of Coeur d'Alene Fire 769-2340
East Side Fire 769-4269
Hauser Lake Fire  773-1174
Kootenai County Fire & Rescue 777-8500
Mica Kidd Island Fire 769-7946
Northern Lakes Fire 772-5711
Shoshone County Fire #2 784-1188
Spirit Lake Fire 623-5800
St. Maries Fire 245-5253
Timberlake Fire 683-3333
Worley Fire 686-1718
FireSmart Banner

FireSmart ™ Tips 

  1. Create a lean, green, and clean area 30 feet around your home
  2. Create and maintain "defensible" space at least 100 feet from this lean, green, clean area
  3. Keep the area free of dead vegetation (grass, leaf litter, limbs, etc.)
  4. Prune tree limbs up to 10 feet or 30-50 percent of tree height, whichever is less
  5. Dispose of slash (materials smaller than 3 inches in diameter)
  6. Clean needles and leaves from gutters, roof, and inside corners of house
  7. Water and mow your lawn regularly
  8. Store firewood away from structures
  9. Screen chimneys and under porch or deck
  10. Identify and control noxious weeds
  11. Prune vegetation over driveway to a minimum height of 13.5 feet for clearance
  12. Provide an escape route
  13. Keep your address visible
  14. Establish turn-outs to allow passage of vehicles, including fire engines, at a minimum width of 50 feet.
  15. Avoid road grades over 10%
  16. Choose "Fire-Resistive" plants and landscape materials
  17. Do not plant flammable junipers next to your home
  18. Maintain your defensible space each year