A new website from Beautiful Moraga Orinda, part of the Moraga-Orinda Firewise Network, offers local residents practical tips and real-life examples of attractive, wildfire-resilient landscaping to help meet Moraga-Orinda Fire District abatement requirements while preserving neighborhood beauty.
The envelopes say “ABATEMENT NOTICE Please Open Immediately” in big red letters, and inside, is a letter detailing a long list of homeowner requirements that must be maintained year-round.
The letters are part of the Moraga-Orinda Fire District (MOFD) effort to better protect Orinda against wildfires, but they don’t deal with exactly how a homeowner can meet all the requirements.
That’s where Beautiful Moraga Orinda comes into the picture. Their new website (bit.ly/4c6USEh) is part of the Moraga-Orinda Firewise Network, and offers local residents inspiration and practical next steps for making their properties safer, with real examples of attractive, wildfire-resilient landscaping, decks and fences from homes in Orinda and Moraga.
“The City of Orinda has been active in finding ways to help support compliance while ensuring that we retain the community’s character,” said Orinda City Manager Linda Smith. “This very local approach helps residents take practical steps to make our community safer, while preserving the beauty that is a hallmark of our city.”
Executive Director of Fire Safe Moraga-Orinda Rob Schroeder said the initiative is meant to make wildfire prevention more accessible.
“Yards that reduce wildfire risk can be both beautiful and achievable on a range of budgets,” said Schroeder. “Our site includes photos and homeowner stories, and shows how residents can apply these ideas to their own homes.”
Contributing Writer Paula Reinman can be reached at paula.reinman@gmail.com.
