Cherokee Village

Recognized Firewise Community/USA

Cherokee Village was recognized for earning Firewise Communities/USA recognition during a luncheon and recognition ceremony Sept. 7, 2005, at Cherokee Village City Hall. Presenting the award were Jim Smalley (right), Wildland Fire Manager of the National Fire Protection Association; Deputy State Forester Larry Nance and Arkansas FireWise Coordinator David Samuel.

Firefighter Rudy Castillo proudly displayed Cherokee Village's new highway marker designating the Sharp County town as a Firewise Community/USA (photo at left).

Cherokee Village began the Firewise recognition process in July 2004, by assessing its community risk, organizing a Firewise board and developing a plan for wildfire prevention and mitigation. Firewise board members posed for a banner shot during one of the first meetings. Communities leaders who initiated the Firewise project in Cherokee Village were Mayor Ray Maynard, Tom Paul, Russ Stokes, Charles DeLoach, Bill Clark, Mike Taylor, Rudy Castillo, Kent Viers, Rich Spurlock and John French.