Santaluz Community Achieves Firewise USA Recognition
The community of Santaluz in San Diego, CA has been recognized by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) for completing the 2025 Firewise USA program's annual requirements. This certification acknowledges that the community has successfully taken steps to reduce its risk from wildfires. The certificate, issued on July 31, 2025, confirms that Santaluz is a participating site in good standing throughout the 2026 calendar year.
What is the Firewise USA Program?
The Firewise USA program is a nationwide initiative that provides a framework for communities to organize and take action to reduce the risk of loss from wildfires. The program emphasizes proactive measures that residents can take to create defensible space around their homes and make them more resistant to ignition. These actions include things like managing vegetation, using fire-resistant building materials, and implementing evacuation plans.
Benefits of Firewise Certification and California Regulations
Receiving Firewise USA recognition can be highly beneficial for residents. Beyond the enhanced safety, many insurance companies offer discounts or credits on homeowner policies for properties located within a certified Firewise community. This is because the community's proactive efforts can significantly lower the risk of property damage from a wildfire. These savings can help offset the costs of any fire-resistant home improvements.
In California, these discounts are not just a possibility, but a requirement. The state has enacted "Safer from Wildfires" regulations that require insurance companies to provide discounts to property owners who take measures to mitigate their wildfire risk. This includes offering rate relief to policyholders whose homes are located in a Firewise USA designated community.
Under these regulations, insurance companies must:
~ Recognize wildfire risk mitigation measures.
~ Provide discounts to consumers who meet various elements of the "Safer from Wildfires" framework.
~ Submit new rates that reflect the benefit of safety measures like upgraded roofs and windows, defensible space, and memberships in community-wide programs like Firewise USA.
~ Provide property owners with their home's wildfire risk score and a detailed explanation of how it was determined. Consumers also have the right to appeal their risk score if they believe it is inaccurate.
We encourage all Santaluz residents to download a copy of the Santaluz Firewise Certificate below. You can then submit this certificate to your insurance provider to inquire about potential discounts on your homeowner's insurance policy. You can learn more about the “Safer from Wildfires” here.
16909 Via de Santa Fe, Rancho Santa Fe, CA, 92067-9519, USA
Gloria, a San Diego native, has spent her life exploring its charming coastal towns and villages, from La Jolla, Del Mar, and Solana Beach to Rancho Santa Fe, Fairbanks Ranch, and beyond. As a resident of Santaluz since 2003, she possesses an intrinsic understanding of this spectacular community and its surroundings. With a career in real estate that began in 1989, Gloria has amassed extensive experience across various market segments, including Residential, Luxury Residential, and Real Estate Asset Protection and Recovery.
From 1989 to 2006, Gloria distinguished herself as one of the nation’s top Listing Managers, representing the interests of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development in the marketing and sale of over 18,000 properties across five counties in Southern California. Her vast knowledge and real estate acumen are brought to every transaction, ensuring her clients receive the highest level of service and expertise.
Gloria's clients consistently praise her ability to listen empathetically and understand their real estate goals, wants, and needs. Her keen attention to important details and expert negotiation skills further enhances her reputation as a trusted advisor in the real estate industry. Gloria collaborates seamlessly with attorneys, tax consultants, financial advisors, senior title officers, senior escrow officers, and lending representatives, creating a coalition of expertise that benefits her clients immensely.