Wildfire Community Preparedness Day is Saturday, May 1, 2021. This national event is managed by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and encourages people and organizations to come together to promote wildfire awareness and participate in projects to reduce wildfire risks.
In-person gatherings continue to be limited in many areas of the country due to COVID-19. As a result, this year’s event will focus on what people can do around their homes and properties to protect against the threat of wildfires.
From 2011-2020, there was a yearly average of 62,693 wildfires in the United States. This is especially important as nearly 85% of all wildfires are caused by humans.
How You Can Get Involved
Individuals can promote wildfire safety by participating in wildfire prevention projects on or before May 1.
Studies show that measures taken in and within 100 feet of the home (i.e., the home ignition zone) can significantly minimize the potential for damage or loss from wildfires. In particular, individuals should pay extra attention to the hazards within 5 feet of their property. In these areas, individuals should consider replacing wood chips with gravel or reimagining their property’s landscape design to better protect their home and property from wildfire damage.
A variety of Wildfire Community Preparedness Day activities and projects are available, varying in size, scope, and time commitment. For checklists, safety tips, and more, check out the Wildfire Community Preparedness Day toolkit on the NFPA’s website.
Contact us for more safety information.
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