NFPA Journal - July/August 2020 - 48

Wildfire by Michele Steinberg

THE VIEW
FROM NFPA'S
WILDFIRE DIVISION

Prep Dedication
DESPITE THE CHALLENGES OF QUARANTINES AND SOCIAL DISTANCING, SAFETY ADVOCATES
ARE FINDING INNOVATIVE WAYS TO PREPARE THEIR COMMUNITIES FOR WILDFIRE

his year's wildfire prepara-

seasonal increase in wildfire conditions,
tion season coincided with
but also worrisome human behaviors.
the nation's all-consuming
In Washington, stay-at-home orders
COVID-19 response. Most
also translated into "burn your debris
states west of the Rockies
piles," and in April the state's forestry
recognize May as Wildfire Awareness
agency reported an increase in wildfire
Month, when wildfire safety advocates
starts. Colorado fire marshals reported
typically preach neighborly activities
that people unable to recreate in closed
and gatherings to reduce wildfire risks
suburban parks were heading to more
in communities. As the pandemic overremote state and federal lands, where
whelmed much of the country, however,
they risked starting fires and clogging
we were forced to pivot as businesses
roads that wildland firefighters needed
closed, travel was restricted, and stayfor access. Wildland fire agencies tried
at-home orders were issued.
to figure out how to deploy enough
The current crisis has
Precautions against the spread of the
people to keep fires small, yet make
not thwarted the
virus not only meant that people could
their crews ride separately and keep a
dedication of people
not conduct their typical Wildfire Comdistance from one another in the field.
leading local efforts to
munity Preparedness Day activities or
They know that if wildfire preparedness
annual Firewise events, but also preis skipped this season, there's a good
reduce wildfire losses.
sented an enormous distraction from
chance of seeing home destruction due
concerns beyond the immediate health
to lack of fuel reduction and potential
and safety of citizens. In other words, typdelayed response.
ical gentle reminders about doing your
The current crisis has not thwarted
wildfire prep work were easily ignored or set aside while people the dedication, creativity, and even humor of the people leadcoped with how to stay safe, feed their families, and tend to ing local efforts to reduce wildfire losses. With more than
children learning from home.
1,700 Firewise USA® sites and hundreds of locations in the US
NFPA's message around wildfire preparedness emphasizes and Canada where people had planned Wildfire Community
that there are in fact simple steps people can take to protect Preparedness Day events, we've seen creative and inspiring
their homes from wildfire. Sometimes that message gets lost solutions emerge. Examples from the Canadian Yukon to Texas
among all the different wildfire messages out there, as well as to Florida include week-long Facebook Live video events,
the sensationalized news that's often generated when wildfire weekly e-newsletter tips covering safety steps, prizes for the
losses occur.
best photos of families doing their prep work, group video
Our message is all the more important when groups cannot screenings on virtual meeting platforms, and online town meetgather. NFPA and other wildfire safety advocates see the silver ings. Bonnie Sumner, a resident of a Firewise community in
lining of people staying at home. It's the perfect time for home Colorado, commented on the Firewise Facebook page that she
maintenance activities that target roofs, gutters, decks, and was busy "social distancing trees" growing along her neighborfences, and cleaning up anything combustible around the hood's access road.
house-the kind of steps science shows are most effective in
Sumner is among the many people determined to make sure
reducing home wildfire losses.
that wildfire remains top of mind as a safety issue we cannot
Concerns over "canceling" wildfire preparedness this year ignore-even in a time of pandemic.
are not just a public relations concern. This spring, fire departments and state governments observed not only the expected MICHELE STEINBERG is director of the wildfire division at NFPA.

MICHAEL HOEWELER

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NFPA Journal - July/August 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NFPA Journal - July/August 2020