The home of Linda Broome on Fair Oak Road in Buena Vista was selected the September 2006 Arkansas FireWise Home of the Month. This brick-sided home with asphalt shingles was nominated by David Samuel, Arkansas FireWise Coordinator, during a trip to Ouachita County.

"This home is one year old, and Ms. Broome did an excellent job landscaping with Firewise in mind — removing pines and protecting her best hardwoods during construction," Samuel said. "She is still planning to add shrubs around the base of the home using the Firewise plant guide on the Arkansas FireWise web site."

The home, located on a five-acre lot, is surrounded by a defensible space that extends into the thinned wooded area. The home's address is also clearly marked on the mailbox, allowing it to be easily read by emergency service personnel (photo at left).