At this week’s Red Sky Summit in San Francisco, the Tahoe Fund introduced the Fire Smart Community Pilot Playbook, a first-of-its-kind guide designed to help neighborhoods lower wildfire risk through technology and collaboration.
The Playbook is based on a pilot project in Incline Village, where groups including the North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District (NLTFPD), Tyrolian Village HOA, The Climate and Wildfire Institute, Vibrant Planet, Fire Aside, BurnBot, Dr. Hussam Mahmoud, Rockrose Risk Insurance, and the Tahoe Fund worked together to create a highly fire-ready community.
So far, 61 acres have been treated, 228 homes assessed, and early insurance savings are appearing, including a 33% premium reduction for one HOA.
“The Fire Smart Community Pilot proves that when you combine the right people, technology, and commitment, communities can dramatically increase their wildfire resilience,” said Amy Berry, CEO of the Tahoe Fund. “We were proud to launch this Playbook at the Red Sky Summit, where we know so many leaders gather to innovate on wildfire resiliency. We hope this can be a model they can take home to their communities.”
The pilot, launched in 2025 in Tyrolian Village, brought together fire researchers, modeling experts, local fire districts, and homeowners to implement what organizers called the “mitigations that matter most” for reducing wildfire risk.
Key outcomes include:
- 61 acres of fuel treatments completed, including 34 acres treated by BurnBot in under a week.
- 228 home inspections conducted through Fire Aside, providing residents with personalized defensible-space and home-hardening recommendations.
- Four additional pilots launched across the Tahoe Basin in Nevada and California.
- Positive insurance results, including a 33% premium reduction for the McCloud HOA following mitigation efforts.
“Technology like Vibrant Planet’s modeling and Fire Aside’s inspections allowed us to prioritize high-impact mitigations quickly,” said NLTFPD Chief Ryan Sommers. “These tools empower fire districts and homeowners alike to make smarter, faster decisions that save both time and property.”
The Playbook outlines steps for communities to replicate the pilot, emphasizing strong local leadership, early engagement of technology partners, and collaboration with insurers.
“This isn’t someone else’s project. It’s ours, our neighborhood, our homes, our future,” said Greg Erfani, President of the Tyrolian Village HOA. “By treating our forest, hardening our homes, and stepping up together, we’re showing that real change happens when a community decides it will defend itself. We’re sharing our lessons so that other communities can learn what we learned.”
The Playbook and resources for connecting with project partners are available at tahoefund.org/firesmartpilot or via email at info@tahoefund.org.
