This map shows an overall wildfire risk index for the NWACA area. The index values are color coded, as shown on the map legend. They are a composite of three components of fire behavior in the wildland urban interface (WUI):
As you can see from the temperature bar at the bottom of the map, about half of our neighborhood is at extreme or high risk in a wildfire event.
This map shows each of the residences in NWACA, color-coded for their risk in a fire situation, based on proximity to other residences. The risk might be from a wildfire or from a nearby house fire. See the legend at the bottom of the map.
In addition, the map has circled the primary evacuation points for this part of Austin - see the red circles. In case exit is not viable, there are temporary evacuation zones where residents might be able to shelter in place, shown with white stars - the area around Murchison Middle School and the Dell Jewish Community Center.
This document provides a description of the positive contributions of the Ashe juniper (aka cedar) tree to the Central Texas environment, as well as dispelling a number of myths about the tree.
When building or remodeling in the City of Austin, you need to be mindful of the threat of wildfire and build with as much resilience as possible. Implementation of the Wildland Urban Interface Code for the City of Austin began in January 2020.
To see the details about the code and materials currently approved, visit
this web page:
If you have questions about specific materials or about details in the code, contact the Austin Fire Department’s Wildfire Division at [email protected]
Guidance from the Texas Forest Service
How to coordinate the effort of your NWACA neighbors to be Firewise
Form that can be used by Firewise Communities to track their time and expenses for hardening their homes and landscapes
How the national program works, encouraging local solutions for wildfire safety
How to be Firewise in the wildland-urban interface (WUI)
Facts about the Firewise Communities Program of the National Fire Protection Association
Guidance from the National Fire Protection Association
Guidance from Firewise.org
A list of fire-resistant plants for Texas from the Texas Master Gardener web site
A list of fire-resistant plants created by Sun City residents
Wildfire prevention principles from Firewise.org
Collection of reference information and web links to documents and videos on wildfire prevention
A brief checklist from Firewise about ways to protect the home
Best Management Practices from US Fish and Wildlife for managing woodlands where Golden Cheeked Warblers nest
This fact sheet from the National Fire Protection Association describes best practices for how to make attics and crawl spaces wildfire resistant.
This fact sheet from the National Fire Protection Association describes common practices and limitations of surface coatings for wildfire resistance.
Central Texas is in a long drought cycle, despite occasional rain. Dry NWACA landscapes and the homes within are vulnerable to wildfire because we live in a greenbelt with a lot of wildfire fuel in its dead and down material. Our homes are most at risk from flying embers. They can be made relatively safe by removing debris, sealing all points of entry from flying embers, and clearing dead and dry vegetation. If you haven’t yet done so, please get a free home assessment to help you identify your risks. Use the Home Firewise Risk Evaluation form in the Be Involved menu on the home page.