More people are living in what is known as the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI), where homes and other structures are built in or near woodland settings or forests. There, residents enjoy the beauty of the environment but face the very real danger of wildfire. Wildfires often begin unnoticed. They can be ignited by escaped debris burning, the careless tossing of a cigarette, an unattended campfire, or from natural causes like lightning. They spread quickly igniting brush, trees, and homes.
There are multiple wildfire preparedness programs available that help prevent fire fatalities, injuries and property loss caused by wildfires. Firewise shows that working together, residents can make their own property – and their neighborhood – much safer from wildfire. The Firewise Communities/USA Recognition Program provides a number of resources and action steps homeowners can utilize now to reduce their community’s risk of wildfire damage tomorrow.
The Ready, Set, Go! (RSG) Program, seeks to develop and improve the dialogue between fire departments and the residents they serve. The program helps fire departments to teach individuals who live in high risk wildfire areas – and the wildland-urban interface – how to best prepare themselves and their properties against fire threats. The RSG! Program tenets help residents be Ready with preparedness understanding, be Set with situational awareness when fire threatens, and to Go, acting early when a fire starts.
Use the links provided below to learn more about these valuable programs. |