Yesterday was a very special day for the team and homeowners at Hidden Dunes Beach & Tennis Resort in Miramar Beach, Florida. The group was joined by representatives from the Florida Forest Service and the South Walton Fire District to receive their plaque as the first official Firewise Community in South Walton, Florida. Firewise communities are those that have taken steps to become more resistant to wildfire structural damage. Hidden Dunes established a Firewise committee to reduce the fire hazard throughout the property to a “low hazard” status. Since Hidden Dunes was constructed and landscaped in a way that preserves the natural flora and enhances the natural beauty of the wooded areas and lush vegetation, Hidden Dunes was at risk of wildland fire. The expansive 27-acre natural and secluded environment is a wonderful escape for visitors, and the team was passionate about taking steps to mitigate fires for guest and owner safety. The event included a ceremony and tour, revealing some of the corrective measures to more effectively prevent fires and mitigate fire damage. Modifications including adding hoses, keeping ground cover free from undergrowth and ensuring tin roofs remain free of debris were a few of the initiatives highlighted on the tour.
The Firewise Communities is a national multi-agency effort designed to reach beyond the fire service by involving the community in the effort to protect people, property, and natural resources from the risk of wildland fire BEFORE a fire starts. Located one mile from Sandestin, Hidden Dunes Beach & Tennis Resort offers premier vacation rentals near Destin, Fla. Congrats to the team for setting a wonderfully safe example for other communities to follow! Hidden Dunes Association Manager Ron Waters & Brian Goddin, Wildfire Mitigation Specialist/ Public Information Officer: FloridaForest Service team up for a property tour. Brian Goddin showcases hoses that have been added throughout the Hidden Dunes property