Twelve intrepid campers spent mornings learning about fire behavior, fire building and wildfire mitigation practices at FireCamp during July. YMCA Camp Orkila provided the backdrop and the campers enjoyed fire experiments, field trips and hands-on experience. Each day they completed a simulated pack test, similar to that given to qualify wildland firefighters. The session also included field trips: a visit to the local volunteer fire department, a boat ride to an outlying island and a campout during which they heard Native American stories about fire.

The camp was held in Washington as a collaboration involving Firewise Communities , Washington State University Master Gardeners and the YMCA. Camper evaluations indicated the session was successful, and plans are now underway to formalize the curriculum and make it available in other fire-prone parts of the country, both as a one-week and a two-week experience.

Labels: day camp, wildfire mitigation

The Idaho Statesman is running a series of insightful articles examining the state of wildfires and wildfire policy in the U.S., specifically in the western part of the country. Check out the series, which will conclude this Sunday (July 27). The first of the three articles, entitled "Are we wasting billions fighting wildfires?" explores whether a focus on suppression is the most effective, efficient, or safe appproach. The article includes discussion on the science of fire behavior and a "tale of two towns" - one that had employed Firewise concepts and one that had not. The sidebar on the site features six success stories from communities that "did it right." (Shameless Plug: visit the Firewise Communities/USA page for a look at about 350 communities we think are "doing it right.") Part two of the series, Firefighting burns money, manpower, focuses on the escalating costs of fighting wildfires at the expense of other land management and recreation programs. The third article is expected this weekend, carrying the following teaser: "Science and money demand change, but politics and Western culture resist it." Check out the series and come back to the Firewise Forum to tell us what you think.

Labels: fire policy, fire wise, Firewise, Idaho Statesman, mitigation, wildfires

On Saturday, May 31, the Orcas High School Key Club , Washington State University Extension Master Gardeners, Moran State Park and Firewise Communities joined forces in a work project at the top of Mount Constitution. Moran is a very special place within the San Juan Islands. It is more than 5,000 acres in size and contains Mount Constitution that rises 2,409 feet from sea level, the highest point in the San Juan Islands. I was part of the group, and we were intent on lowering the fuel volume adjacent to the parking lot near the summit of Mount Constitution should a wildfire occur in the park during the dry summer tourist season.

Our weather was glorious and the scenery, spectacular. Before we started working, Jim Schuh, the park ranger, pointed out the areas selected for mitigating and explained why they were chosen (because of high traffic on a trail or vulnerability of a structure). He then illustrated how to make the proper cuts on a limb to avoid damaging a tree. We set to work with enthusiasm and were delighted at the progress we made.

All of us remarked that it takes little time to greatly reduce the vulnerability of an area to wildfire. We concentrated on removing dead vegetation and low-hanging branches this time, and are talking about what we can do next time!

Some great news this week from Todd Schroeder from the Florida Division of Forestry, who tells us that a number of homes were saved during the recent fires in Brevard County, FL, due in large part to Firewise practices.

These successes are a perfect example of Firewise work in action. Homes that had carefully managed landscapes and were built with non-combustible construction materials, including Class-A roofing and aluminum soffits, were spared from damage (as seen in the photo below).

For homebuyers and sellers out there, it ties in perfectly with a recent article in the Wall Street Journal that talks about specific home improvements that make a difference when selling a home. The article calls out fiber-cement siding as adding to "curb appeal," and mentions regional preferences, such as steel replacement roofs which "bring greater returns in wildfire-prone California." Just another reason why Firewise makes sense.

We know Firewise is your favorite website; but when I need to answer some questions or find good examples, I surf around some. My go-to for the latest on local and state level wildfire regulations, vegetation management examples and such is http://www.wildfireprograms.com/ - the National Database of State and Local Wildfire Mitigation Programs.

Recently the Database posted an entry from the Maine State Forest Service. You should really check out Maine's new video on Wildland/Urban Interface. It's a very well-done piece about 15 minutes long, focusing on how homeowners can protect their properties, featuring cameos/interviews with Maine state forest fire staff.

Some other sites I love to visit are regional in nature. The Southwest Colorado Fire Information Clearinghouse is excellent and always up-to-date, and the Sierra Forest Legacy's site is chock full of Firewise goodies. I recommend a recent post, Seasonal Firewise Practices for great examples of how to prepare your home for fire season. More good links can be found at http://www.firewise.org/resources/links.htm. Got a favorite Firewise link? Let us know!

Firewise launched new video public service announcements (PSAs) this week. Check them out:

The Difference: Little things can make a big difference during a wildfire. This PSA illustrates that residents can take practical steps such as: non-combustible roofing and siding, dual-pane windows, and fire-resistant vegetation. Thank you Doug Lannon and the CAL FIRE team for working with us on this.




Everyone's Responsibility: Everyone in the community plays a role in wildfire preparedness. This PSA features residents, community leaders, planners and developers, and fire and land managers from across the country. Our thanks to the following for making it happen: CAL FIRE; Florida Division of Forestry; Mesa Grande Band of Mission Indians; Sarasota County, FL; City of North Port Fire Rescue Department, FL; Ramona Fire Department, CA; Town of Bourne Fire Department, MA; Cape Cod Cooperative Extension Service, MA; and the communities of Harbor Isles, FL; Rancho Santa Fe, CA; Oak Tree Ranch, CA; and Holbrook, MA.



We also have 30-second versions and versions that can be customized with local voice overs and logos. You can view all of them online in our Newsroom. We are sending these PSAs to TV stations across the country, and Firewise State and Tribal Liaisons will receive copies in the next few weeks.

We want to hear from you - Please post a comment to tell us what do you think of the PSAs.

We're going into the third year for the Firewise Leadership Awards program. It is always exciting to be able to recognize individuals and organizations for their hard work in making sure their communities are safe, and in the process, identifying new ways to achieve the Firewise mission.

Last year I had the pleasure of reviewing in detail the nominations sent in for the 2007 Firewise Leadership Awards. What I found to be a common theme was that these leaders are not just the "spark plugs" for their communities. They are true innovators.

Innovation may seem like today's latest buzz word, but when you think about the amount of work and collaboration that goes into creating a Firewise community, you know it takes the work of a creative mind! Changing community perceptions and getting people to focus on mitigation over prevention requires inventive ideas to make a tangible difference.

If you think about it, the entire Firewise Communities program began as an innovative thought. While I wasn't involved when the program began, I've heard the war stories. The concept of empowering communities with the tools and motivation to mitigate their own fire risk was unheard of. Today, it's happening all over the country. And the future of the Firewise Communities program will depend on continued creativity and passion from those who are closest to the issue: The residents, community leaders, and those working on the ground with them-from firefighters to land managers.

Going into this election year, we are facing economic uncertainty and environmental concerns, among many other domestic issues. However, there are those who know wildfires have no political barriers and recognize the importance of getting communities to pull together from the ground up to get prepared. And they're finding ways to do so, even in the face of surmounting challenges.
We want to meet these individuals, and we want to recognize their work. We are looking for 2008 Leadership Award nominees now through June 30. If you know an individual or an organization who is discovering new ways to further the Firewise mission, visit http://www.firewise.org/awards/index.htm for entry guidelines and forms. If you have any questions, drop an e-mail to the team.

The community of Harbor Isles in Sarasota County, Florida, recently achieved Firewise Communities/USA recognition status. As luck would have it, I was in Florida at the same time that the community's recognition ceremony was scheduled. Florida state forestry WUI specialist Patrick Mahoney made a few phone calls and the residents of Harbor Isles responded. And how!
Spontaneity and again, luck, were in our favor for this event. The national Firewise program is developing Public Service Announcements (PSAs) for release in 2008 and we needed more footage of WUI residents and community mitigation activity. A video crew met me on site and we were treated to a fantastic breakfast prepared and served by a 30-person committee. For their efforts, Patrick rewarded them with Smokey Bear bandanas, which they wore proudly.
Some 200 or so folks showed up for breakfast, an all-veterans color guard and the Pledge of Allegiance, and a Firewise presentation by Patrick Mahoney. County Commissioner Shannon Staub, City of North Port Fire Marshal Michael Frantz and Fire Chief Bill Taffe were among the notable officials in attendance - along with 2 TV news reporters and a newspaper reporter for the North Port Sun. Our own video crew captured the ceremony and presentation of the community signs and plaques. We interviewed Commissioner Staub and Marshal Frantz and then raced off to the home of Sam and Jeanne Avallone to document Firewise in action.
Sam, Jeanne, Rose Beach, Don Ninekirk, and a cast of thousands (OK, several) converged along the backyard area bordering several homes - and the overgrown wild preserve. A swatch of mitigated land was the backdrop for a staging of Firewise action involving rakes, machetes, clippers and pruners. Our video producer set the stage with Rose and Don as our PSA spokespeople and the rest of the volunteers putting those rakes and clippers in motion. I was happy to let the pros and the volunteers do their job, while I took my own photos and chatted with the neighbors (you know, networking, schmoozing, same thing). I was sorry to have to leave as I was having a grand time. The Harbor Isles visit reminded me how great our Firewise community residents are and how much fun we all can have with Firewise. Stay tuned for the PSA releases in 2008!

As the wildfires continue to burn in southern California, we watch and we wait and we wonder. We are disturbed and sad to see the television accounts that include flames, water drops, and those many, many folks who have been evacuated from their homes. And we feel that, in the face of everything, now is the time to remind all of you who live in fire-prone areas how important it is to prepare your home for the possibility that wildfire might strike.

Sometimes it would seem as if there is nothing homeowners can do. However, that is not the case. Each of us CAN participate in our home's survival potential. How? The condition of the 100 to 150 feet of space around a house and its attachments principally determines the potential for it to ignite during a wildfire. A house burns because of its interrelationship with everything in this surrounding area. To avoid a home ignition, you must eliminate a wildfire's potential relationship with your house. This can be accomplished by interrupting the natural path a fire takes---a relatively simple task. Remove flammable items like dead vegetation from the area to prevent flames from contacting the house. Also, reducing the volume of live vegetation will affect the intensity of the wildfire as it enters this particular zone.

I, for one, am going to take a Firewise walk around my house this evening and see if there is anything that needs a little attention.

Mick Jones and Joe Strummer asked this immortal question in their Clash tune of the same name, but they probably weren't thinking about dealing with wildfire approaching homes and communities. As the fire season of 2007 rages on, Firewise staff will always recommend that you listen to local authorities for the best advice about whether to evacuate your neighborhood ahead of a wildfire or to stay put. Once the order comes, however, many may be asking, "HOW do I go? Which way? For how long?"


On a visit to a small community south of Denver last week, I sat in on a presentation by John Pawlik, Wildfire Coordinator for Platte Canyon Volunteer Fire Department, to a group of about 40 residents. In addition to important Firewise advice about action that neighbors can take well before fire approaches, Pawlik discussed the secondary egress route for the community. It's a gated private road that the owner has agreed to let the fire department unlock in case of emergency. Unfortunately, it's also a road that might put travelers in harm's way, as wildfire scenarios show the possibility of fire moving in that same direction. I could practically hear Jones howling, "If I go there will be trouble -- and if I stay there will be double!"


The important point that Pawlik made to community residents is that making the plan now, while the sky is clear and the grass is green, is critical. Mapping escape routes, informing neighbors, and making individual escape plans, including emergency supply kits and arrangements for traveling with pets and livestock, can all be part of a sound Firewise community planning effort. Collaborating with your neighbors on important issues - how to assist a disabled individual, perhaps - can not only bring peace of mind, but possibly save lives, too. Making your home itself a safer place through Firewise preparation could also mean you could shelter in place should the worst happen and exit routes are unavailable.


A great many resources exist to help you plan to leave if you need to. The National Fire Protection Association's "Get Ready" materials have easy-to-use checklists, plan templates and fact sheets that can help you prepare for numerous emergency situations, including wildfire. A favorite home-spun option I like is the "11 Points to Preparedness for Evacuation" on a free home-organization site run by Marla Cilley (aka The Fly Lady) at http://www.flylady.net/. And of course, the Firewise home page strives to provide you with the important information you need to make your home and its surroundings more resistant to ignition from wildfire.

Where I live, the Fourth of July is celebrated much as it is in other parts of the country, with barbeques, parades and municipal fireworks displays. Out here in the West, we also enjoy 'safe and sane' fireworks. I am here to confess that many of my happy childhood memories are linked to these fireworks---from pounding on 'caps' in my driveway with a brick and lighting 'snakes' and sparklers to watching my father send pop-bottle rockets into the night sky. What bliss!

As an adult living in the wildland/urban interface (WUI), however, I find myself a little skittish around July 4---especially when fountains, pop-bottle rockets and sparklers are popping and crackling all over the neighborhood. I worry about them starting a fire, as they quite frequently do. After all, it is summertime.

If you live in the WUI, remember that your home is a precious asset that can burn. If you use fireworks, light them on a non-flammable surface like asphalt or concrete---not on cured grass. Keep water at the ready. Avoid letting sparks shower on flammable surfaces including roofs, mulch, and other flammable vegetation. And only use fireworks marked 'safe and sane' or those approved by your state fire marshal. If you do not, you may discover yourself calling 911 instead of enjoying a wonderful holiday. And THAT could be embarrassing.

Finally, be sure to check local regulations, as some areas have tight restrictions regarding when fireworks (even 'safe and sane' ones) can be used.

Enjoy the holiday!

Judith Leraas Cook
Firewise Communities/USA

Great news! Literally. The Firewise message is coming across in the news media more than ever. Rather than exclusively reporting Just The Stats, Ma'am (#acres; #structures; #trucks, and tankers), reporters are increasingly discussing how to live naturally with fire. Stories are moving from one-line mentions of firewise.org to full-blown articles about the importance of wildfire mitigation-and what residents can and should be doing on their own property. We're also seeing a slew of announcements of workshops and local community activities.

We're working hard from the national end, but we also recognize that we owe the majority of this shift to the continued media outreach by our Firewise Communities/USA liaisons and residents, state and federal agency public information and prevention officers, and members of the fire service.

Go ahead - search Google News for "Firewise" of "wildfire mitigation." It's really amazing what's out there. Then visit the Firewise Newsroom for ideas on how you can help generate even more.

While not a replacement for face-to-face outreach, news media have the microphone to reach more people than we possibly could in person. Keep it up, folks. Help us tell the Firewise story. And help exponentially more people be Firewise.

(Editor's note: There are plenty more great articles we would like to have shared here. We're limited in what we can link to - many articles expire within weeks or require online subscriptions.)

It happened in my own back yard, so to speak. About four years ago, the Orcas Highlands Association, where I live, became interested in wildfire mitigation issues because of our climate, our slope and the density of our vegetation. Since that time, we have held an annual workday in our extremely overgrown common area with the goal of reducing the wildfire threat it presents. Additionally, we have cleared the brush along our roadways and have created an opportunity for all residents to rid themselves of green waste each summer. It is picked up and chipped, and its final resting place is a nearby composting facility.

Then, just two months ago, we discovered that we were eligible for a GRANT from the county Resource & Development Council! The joy of it all! Why were we eligible? Because of our commitment, our improved mitigation level, and all the associated improvements to our community's wildfire readiness.

Did the grant help us? Oh, yes. We were able to hire a contractor to remove undergrowth and thick ladder fuels from a great swath of our as-yet-uncompleted common area. The accompanying photo shows the results of his work. To us, this means we can make even greater strides toward our Firewise goals next summer.

What we learned was that the Firewise Communities/USA process really does work, and that our neighbors notice. We had an assessment. We organized. We made a plan. We acted. We stuck with it. And we were rewarded.

Just last month in Hawaii, a 2,300-acre fire burned through a large section of the Kula Forest Reserve in Maui. The fire is now 100 percent contained, but in one of the sections of dense forest sits a lone cabin that stood up to the fire... and won. Local incident commanders at the park are saying that county agencies and local residents recently implemented a Firewise plan where the cabin is located, and "That work saved the cabin."

A similar incident occurred in Saddle Ridge, Texas in early 2006. One wildfire approached this Firewise Communities/USA site with 211 homes, but residents had created defensible space around their homes months before fire season. This helped reduce flame height and enabled the fire department to extinguish the fire before it reached the community.



On June 10, 2006, a wildfire started in the woods near a group of homes in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. By performing Firewise mitigation efforts, including creating defensible space and allowing access to city water, the homes were never in any danger from the threat of wildfire.

Just a 2006 phenomenon?

How about some old news. During the pilot phase of the Firewise Communities/USA program, the community of Timber Ridge, Arizona substantially reduced the dangerous fuels within the subdivision. During a major wildfire that burned through the Prescott National Forest right up to the border of Timber Ridge, the subdivision was evacuated for three days. The city fire chief told the residents that theirs was the only subdivision threatened by the wildfire that he could protect, and it was because of the work they had done preparing for a wildfire event.

Sound familiar?

These are just a taste of the "Firewise Saves" we have heard from all parts of the country. Stories like these are among the most compelling factors that motivate other residents to take action. Now we are asking you to add to our collective body of knowledge. If you know of a community that has passed the test of fire, please e-mail us your stories and pictures or leave comments here.


We know the stories are out there, and we want to share them!

"Another year over, a new one just begun," as John Lennon wrote. Yep, it's now time to face the realities of, you know, the Resolution. Not just ANY resolution, THE Resolution. The one we quickly make as the clock approaches end of the last minute of the last day in the year and as often quickly abandon for the realities of daily life.

New Year's Resolutions seem like the vows I used to make for Lent. You know, I will give up chocolate; I will cut down on coffee; give up Cheetos (what?!). However, giving up something seldom made me feel better or act differently in the long term. Then, I realized that, hey, this short termed commitment can soon be abandoned, and I will once again pop open that bag of yellow, crispy, fat-saturated cheese flavored junk food.

Several individuals and organizations continue to look for solutions for the many problems that contribute to the WUI. To some, Firewise hasn't been successful in solving all the issues of the interface and therefore, a new solution should be developed. Searching for long-term solutions with short-term results illustrates a gross misunderstanding about cultural change and how change occurs as well as a, well, warped sense of commitment. It would be wiser, more productive and, frankly, show greater integrity to commit to the solution(s) we have that show promise of success rather than abandoning them for something new to satisfy organizational or personal needs.

So this year, I'll share my one Firewise Resolution with you. I resolve to remain as bull headedly committed as always in the basic principles of Firewise (personal responsibility, cooperation, and the rest). So there.

Gee, I feel better already.

By Jim Smalley, Manager
Firewise Communities

This fall, I got to attend ceremonies for two of our latest Firewise Communities/USA sites in states - Kansas and New York - that you may not realize have WUI fire risks.

Jason Hartman with the Kansas Forest Service invited me to come to University Park in Manhattan (the Little Apple as the Chamber of Commerce tells me) for their ceremony. He took me on a brief tour of the community, a lovely spot that was developed in the mid 1960s after the US Army Corps of Engineers built Tuttle Creek Lake as a flood control project and reservoir. Contrary to my "Wonderful Wizard of Oz" impressions of what Kansas might look like, the local area features rolling hills, bluffs, some steep slopes where people have built for the lovely views, and loads of Eastern red cedar, a native but invasive plant that encroaches and surrounds local homes creating a significant fire hazard.

In New York, Heidi Wagner of The Nature Conservancy took me along on a tour of the hamlet of Cragsmoor, where she lives and works. Nestled at the edge of Sam's Point Preserve, a 5,000-acre natural area, Cragsmoor is the only ridgetop community in the northern part of the Shawungunk Ridge. This area is home not only to people, but also to more than 30 rare plants and animals, the world's best remaining example of a rare ridgetop dwarf pitch pine barrens, and the second largest chestnut oak forest in New York. Fire has played an essential role in maintaining the health of both the pine barrens and the chestnut oak forest, making these systems fire dependent.

While each community is unique, they share both natural beauty and common challenges in dealing with wildfire risks. The ceremonies, involving wonderful home-made barbecue in Kansas and a delightful reception by the Cragsmoor Fire Department in New York, highlight another commonality - the value of shared work and shared celebration to make a difference in the community and to motivate and inspire ongoing action.

My e-mails have been coming in non-stop containing kudos for the Firewise Communities conference in Denver that occurred two weeks ago. Mostly, folks told me they learned more than they ever expected to and the only thing that frustrated them was that they wished they were two people so they could go to every session they wanted to attend.

People liked the very cool keynote speaker, James Mapes, because he prepared all of us for the week that was coming. He even bit into a lemon in front of all of us...a brave man! And we became smarter about wildfires relationships with homes when we listened to Jack Cohen (USDA-Forest Service Missoula Fire Sciences Lab) in another general session.

Wildland/urban interface fires in Montana, Texas and Wisconsin were recapped and described---and we even heard about spotting ignitions from space. Communications, collaboration, landscaping, community events and participation, and, of course, technological application----sessions concerned with all of these topics were learning opportunities for conference attendees. And there was so much more.

How we networked! We greeted each other at the daily luncheons, and made new friends at the social hours and the banquet. We saw our cohorts receive Firewise Leadership Awards and were happy for them.

Now we have transported our knowledge back to our homes and workplaces and are marking our calendars for November 6-8, 2008----Tampa! If you have suggestions that will make the 2008 conference a success for you, please share them. We want to know.

- Judith Leraas Cook, Project Manager
Firewise Communities/USA

Coming to you live from Denver at the National Wildland/Urban Interface Fire Education Conference, "Backyards and Beyond." Nearly 450 emergency managers, residents, community leaders, and Firewise state liaisons shared their own stories and learned from each other through more than 70 educational sessions. Are you doing the math? Lots to cover. Can't touch it all here, so we'll just focus on the theme of recognition for past and current activities.

Attendees shared the achievements of their programs in daily sessions, and this year marks the five year anniversary of eleven communities that were part of the initial Firewise Communities/USA pilot program in 2001.

More kudos... Friday evening unveiled the winners of the inaugural Firewise Leadership Awards, recognizing outstanding efforts to promote a cooperative approach to reducing the loss of lives, property, and resources in the wildland/urban interface. Round of applause for:

TWO Regional Award Winners: the Arkansas Forestry Commission Firewise Program; and Jim Harrell with the Florida Division of Forestry
TWO State Award Winners: Arizona Firewise; and Bobby Young with the Texas Forest Service
THREE Local Level Award Winners: Anchorage (Alaska) Fire Department; Marc Titus, Washington DNR NW; and Linda Ford, Taos Pine Ranch Firewise Community

Chances are there are others you know who might be deserving of an award. GREAT. The Firewise team wants to hear from you in January when we open up the awards for 2007 nominations. Stay tuned.

It's never too soon to plan ahead. Don't miss out on the 2008 conference at the Hyatt Regency in Tampa Florida November 6-8, 2008. Details will be posted soon at www.firewise.org.

Finally, in the words of NWCG WUI Fire Working Team chair Alan Dozier, fire chief for the state of Georgia who spoke up on a challenge from fellow WUI Working Team member Wayne Ching from Hawaii:

"Aloha, y'all."


By Maureen Rootz
Firewise Communications Team

We all know about the "Three Stooges." Larry, Curly, and Moe were the most familiar and popular wise guys who berated one another with their slapstick comedy for nearly 40 years. But you should all know about three other "wise guys" who are using a bit of "Three Stooges" humor in their own message to promote fire safety in New Mexico.

Meet Larry, Roger, and Billy D, better known as the Fire Wise Guys of Colfax County, New Mexico. Their message is simple: "Fire is no laughing matter. But learning fire safety can be fun for the whole community!" The Fire Wise Guys discuss the many ways that residents can go about preparing for wildfires through a series of weekly radio tips. These tips offer residents useful information on the little things that can be done in and around the home to prevent wildfires.

Reiterating a few of the points made in a recent blog entry on "Creative Communication," the work being done in Colfax County is a perfect example of the many ways that the Firewise message can be communicated to the public. It's easy to become complacent with the same tactics that you have been using for years, especially if the tactics work. But too often the message needs to be reworked in order for the public to listen.

For those of you interested in learning more about the work being done in Colfax County, they will be presenting at the 2006 Backyards and Beyond Conference in Denver. In addition, part of their story was recently featured in an article in the National Organization of Counties (NACo) publication, County News.

(Just a reminder: early bird registration for the Backyards and Beyond Conference ends on Wednesday, October 18! Please visit http://www.firewise.org/fw_youcanuse/conference06/registration.htm to register today. )

By Tony Zagora

During 20 years of involvement in the national wildland/urban interface program, I've received some intriguing (and unsolicited) ideas from all over about how the interface problem can best be solved. "Solutions" like giant sprinkler systems in the interior forests of Montana and Idaho that will put out the fires with salt water pumped from the ocean and fire apparatus equipped with jet engines that will blow the fire away from homes, thus preventing the disasters that we too often have seen in the past. (Sounds like fun, as long as the brakes hold.)

Every now and then, someone will even suggest that insurance companies decrease the premiums for homeowners who do the Firewise thing around their homes and (better yet) increase the premiums for those who don't. This idea of telling thousands of private companies how much to charge for their products seems to be a constant source of fascination for many people. Here's a short list of why this "solution" is not feasible.

1. The numbers and frequency of losses are not big enough to provide valid data for analysis, especially in large areas in which many properties are insured by many companies.

2. Your state insurance commission approves changes in products and rates for each insurance company that they license. Changing rates or products is an average 36-month process whose expenses may not be worth the effort for the company seeking changes.

3. Even if premium reduction seemed significant enough to encourage the homeowner to, for example, install a new fire rated roof, the increased value of the home would result in increased local property taxes which could exceed any premium reduction.

4. Property insurance is based on replacement values of the home (or its parts), and the premiums might actually increase to cover more expensive building materials (e.g., a new roof).

Most people make way too many assumptions about insurance because they don't take time to understand what they're buying. Here's an example: if you have flood insurance, will the furniture in your basement playroom be covered in case of flood? Do you know or are you assuming?

There are many more aspects of insurance to consider but the bottom line is that understanding and applying Firewise mitigation on private property is the responsibility of the property owner -- not to save a few dollars but to help protect their investment from loss.

Want more information? Come to the WUI Conference in Denver.....

By Jim Smalley, Firewise Communities Program Manager

Close your eyes and picture a news conference about a Firewise success story. (Now open them. How else can you read this?) What did you see? A fire chief standing behind a podium? How about... no podium; just a reporter interviewing residents? Or let's get really wacky - there is no press conference. No media. Just a resident who lived the Firewise story, talking to a neighboring community group. Maybe the resident is talking about how she earned the Firewise Home of the Month award. Maybe she's handing out a How To Guide with some hands-on tips.

Part of the trick in deciding your communication path is understanding your audience. The Forest Service has been doing some research in this area. A "Golden Rule" of hazard communication is to use windows of opportunity, such as a recent or nearby fire, to get attention. But how to tell the story? Consider your storyteller. To a lot of people, the fire department is not the most compelling source. Remember the resident mentioned above? She did it. They'll see that they can do it, too.

But hey - I don't have all the answers. You folks are out there doing this everyday, and your colleagues are your best source of ideas on what works well, and what bombs. SO... pick each other's brains at the 2006 Backyards and Beyond Conference in Denver this November. (yes -this is blatant promotion of our own conference. I'm not ashamed.) Come to Communications Brainstorm: Creative Approach to Communication Tactics. Since I don't have all the answers, I will help facilitate a discussion among the smartest people in the business - you and your peers. Together, we'll generate fresh thinking for promoting your message all year long, not just during fire season. You'll also go home with proven strategies for infusing a little strategy into your creative process, and vice versa.

But why wait? Submit a comment below and tell us your favorite creative communication story. We want to hear from you, and we want to share your ideas.

After all - if you borrow one idea, it's plagiarism. If you borrow lots of ideas, it's research. Come join us for a little "research" of our own. See you in Denver.

(pssst... you can even register online. now go tell some friends.)

At the risk of sounding overly enthusiastic regarding the good things that have been happening related to the Firewise Communities program, I am writing this blog to tell our readers about the wonderful people all over the United States who have moved from mitigation planning to community action. These are the residents of Firewise Communities/USA sites---over 210,000 of them.

Approximately seven years ago, the Firewise Communities/USA program was crafted and designed, based on wildland/urban interface and social science research concepts. It was then piloted in twelve communities across the country. Input was gathered from homeowners, homeowner associations and township, county, state and federal fire staff. After their recommendations were integrated, the National Wildfire Coordinating Group formally endorsed Firewise Communities/USA.

In September of 2003, the National Association of State Foresters (NASF) stepped up to play an important and integral role with Firewise Communities. Thanks to the NASF, 41 states have appointed liaisons that provide on-the-ground Firewise information and guidance to their constituents. At this writing, three years later, 166 communities in 33 states are registered as Firewise Communities/USA sites. Nearly every community entering the program has stuck with it, renewing their status yearly. Between January 1, 2005 and July 15, 2006, participating communities invested $4,413,016 in local wildfire mitigation projects. You can read about their accomplishments in the Community Stories area of www.firewise.org/usa.

All this good work is making a difference. The innovations and successes of the recognized Firewise Communities/USA have catalyzed surrounding locales. Strong relationships have been established between local fire staff and homeowner groups that will prove invaluable during a wildfire or, as some have noted, during other emergencies as well. And homeowners are doing what is best for their communities. They have learned to make good decisions with respect to wildfire mitigation, and have the confidence to take action.

The Firewise Communities/USA program has shown itself to provide an easy-to-follow path to positive community change with regard to wildfire safety. We applaud those individuals who have engaged in the Firewise process. For more information about becoming a Firewise Communities/USA site, you can contact your state liaison or a representative of the Firewise Communities program in the Contact a Representative at www.firewise.org/usa.

The Natural Hazards Center at the University of Colorado at Boulder recently held its 31st annual Research and Applications Workshop. As one of the session presenters, I discussed the trends of people in the U.S. moving in large numbers into harm's way -- in this case, into formerly wild and rural (and sometimes agricultural) lands that are prone to wildfire. The title of the presentation referred to "amenity migration" -- the fairly recent phenomenon of people moving to areas where they have the benefits of natural beauty, proximity to beaches or forests or mountains, and access to recreation. I found out some interesting things about growth and migration while preparing to present.

Due to the Workshop's restriction on PowerPoint (to limit lengthy presentations and encourage dialogue), I prepared only one visual aid, a color image on an overhead transparency. I used a map that veterans of Firewise Communities Workshops have seen before. It's the U.S. Census Bureau map of the population change (by county) from 1990 to 2000. In our workshop series, we used this map to talk about "where is everybody going?" We circled several of the fastest-growing counties and noted how many of them were in well-known (to wildfire junkies, at least) fire-prone areas or fire-adapted ecosystems. Interested to see what the latest information was about population growth, I visited the Census website and downloaded lists of the 100 fastest-growing counties from 2000-2005 -- by number as well as by percentage. It was in the report about 1990-2000 growth that a statement of fact stopped me in my tracks. From 1990 to 2000, the U.S. added more people than in any other decade in the country's history -- including the "baby boom" of 1950-1960.

Using this image and data in a brief presentation got a lot of people in the room talking. Many were surprised to learn about the very real growth pressures occurring in so many different parts of the country. Others learned for the first time about wildfire occurrence in states like Florida or Arkansas. While the session was supposed to explore what residents of WUI areas should do about the fire problem, it ended up focusing on how national, state and local policy might be modified to take hazards into account BEFORE development takes place.

Many factors account for the migration towards amenities and often into harm's way, including technology that allows workers in our increasingly knowledge-based economy to work anywhere, healthier lifestyles that draw people towards recreation, and active "retirees" who have worked and saved to finally have that dream home in the mountains or on the shore. Developers understand these factors and are marketing amenity-based communities more than ever before. Perhaps it is time for more extensive national discussions on the issue of where we build and how Firewise concepts -- and other disaster-safety concepts -- can be marketed as a smart practice for those who want to live compatibly with nature.

Large wildfires are burning in over a dozen states as this blog is being written. Firewise Communities staff has received numerous questions from web users regarding what to do if one threatens.

If a fire is burning anywhere near your community, Firewise staff recommends that you start preparing your home for possible exposure to it. Don't wait until you can see flames, as preparations take time. Here is a list of things you can do that will reduce the probability of losing your home.

1) Be sure the fire is reported to local authorities.
2) Wear cotton/woolen clothing, including long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, a hard hat or one with a broad brim, gloves and a handkerchief to protect your face.
3) Close your windows, your vents, your doors and any other openings that might allow embers to enter your house.
4) Remove all flammable vegetation from around your house.
5) Remove any flammable furniture, doormats, woodpiles, etc. that could catch embers and ignite. Roll up or remove awnings and exterior blinds.
6) Dampen all areas on the side of your house facing the direction of the fire.
7) If your gutters are sufficiently sturdy, block the gutter outlets and hose down your roof to fill the gutters.
8) If you use natural gas or propane, turn it off at the tank or the meter.
9) If you have pets, place them in a convenient place for evacuation.
10) Back as many vehicles as possible into the garage. Then close the garage door. In the event you evacuate, close the garage door behind you as you leave. If you do not have a garage or if the garage is full, park the vehicles so they are heading in the direction of the evacuation route.

Wishing you a safe wildfire season,

Judith Leraas Cook
Firewise Communities/USA Project Manager

The personal and wise respect of fire and its energy has always been central to the Firewise message. The recognition and acceptance of personal responsibility in preparing homes from ignition by approaching wildfires began a decade and half ago in the introduction of Firewise Landscaping. Now that July 4th (Independence Day) is upon us, I hope everyone will play it safe when it comes to fireworks. Fireworks are exciting to watch but they can be extremely dangerous to touch and play with. Each year, thousands of kids get hurt by fireworks. Pre-teens and teenagers face the highest risk of fireworks injuries. A majority of people injured by fireworks are under the age of 20, with many of the injuries incurred by those under age 15. The highest injury rate relative to population was for ages 5 to 9, with 8.9 times the risk for the entire population.

As a former fire chief, I have seen the bodily harm and property damage that the un-Firewise use of explosives can cause. Yes, fireworks are explosives and should be treated as carefully as dynamite. Okay, maybe most are not THAT explosive, but the result can be just as serious. In 2003, over 9,000 people were treated at hospital emergency rooms for fireworks-related injuries. Burns were the leading type of fireworks injury (NFPA). Contusions and lacerations were second (18%), and were equal in share to burns when the injury was to any part of the head or face, including the eye. Hands or fingers were the part of the body injured in 26% of the incidents. In 20% of the cases, the eye was involved, and other parts of the face or head accounted for 17% of the injuries.

Even sparklers, which are fun for kids to watch and wave around, still cause burns after they've burned out. In 2004, hospitals treated 9,600 people nationwide for fireworks-related injuries. Eighty-five percent of fireworks injuries, the NFPA reports, are caused by legal fireworks. Of those people injured in 2004, a U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission report said, eight died from their injuries. They ranged from five to 80 years old.

And it's not just personal injury and harm that results. In 2002, an estimated 3,000 reported structure or vehicle fires were started by fireworks. Although these resulted in no deaths, 60 injuries and $29 million in direct property damage were reported.

Finally, fireworks are a significant cause of forest fires during this period each year. Restricted fireworks are much more likely to cause a forest fire or injury because of their erratic and unpredictable behavior. Since many of the restricted fireworks are tossed or airborne, often the wildfire ignition can be well away from the site where the fireworks are being used. For this reason and all those cited above, more and more states and counties are banning the sales and restricting the use of consumer fireworks.

Why wait till you or a family member is harmed or you are held liable for the cost of forest fire suppression? Work with your community leaders to ban consumer fireworks in your area. Have fun, but watch the fireworks at community events and be Firewise this Fourth.

Jim Smalley Manager, Wildland Fire Protection
NFPA

Chances are you know that person. That person who seems to have boundless passion for the Firewise movement. That person who engages nearly everyone she meets in discussion about how neighbors can be working together better to coordinate their wildfire planning efforts. That person who doesn't stop at the boundaries of his own community - when neighboring towns seek guidance, he's there to help. That person who goes beyond the scope of her job description to foster the spirit of the Firewise vision.

Chances are you know a Firewise Spark Plug.

The Firewise Communities team would like your help in recognizing our spark plugs through the new Firewise Leadership Awards program. Submit a nomination and help us identify and reward outstanding efforts to promote a cooperative approach to reducing the loss of lives and resources in the wildland/urban interface - public, private, and tribal.

The Firewise Leadership Awards are open to individuals and organizations conducting wildland fire mitigation activities in residential developments in the wildland/urban interface. The Firewise Leadership Awards will be awarded on the regional, state, and local levels. Sponsored by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group's (NWCG) Wildland/Urban Interface Fire Working Team, the program also seeks to encourage other innovative initiatives that deliver on the Firewise mission of community-wide responsibility in wildfire mitigation.

The deadline is approaching fast! All entries must be submitted by July 31, 2006. Visit www.firewise.org/awards for entry guidelines and forms. E-mail questions to firewiseawards@nfpa.org.

How often do any of us read through our homeowner's or renter's insurance policy? Do we know if our homes are insured to full replacement cost? Are we covered if someone slips and falls in our driveway? And what about wildfire? If fire destroys our homes or possessions, we'll get our claim settled and rebuild and be back to normal in no time, right?

More usually, we don't think about insurance or the possible loss of our property until a disaster strikes. Most people don't enjoy dwelling on such possibilities. We tend to discount the likelihood that such things could happen to us, in spite of statistics and known risks. And in the case of wildfire, it seems like such a huge and unpredictable phenomenon that we sometimes feel there is nothing we can do.

Having insurance coverage not only provides peace of mind, but can also prevent personal financial disasters. The Insurance Information Institute has excellent information for individuals about how to make sure they have the coverage they need. In the Rocky Mountains, the regional insurance information service has specific advice about wildfire, not only regarding insurance coverage, but also on mitigation actions that property owners can take to reduce the likelihood that their home will ignite and become another claim on the books. Yes, the insurance educators are promoting Firewise concepts.

Why is that? After all, insurance premiums just seem to rise every year no matter what we do. No one is promising discounts if homeowners clean their gutters or trim back limbs or sweep pine needles off the porch. But insurers are interested in what they call "loss control", meaning that the responsibility is on the policy holder to do the basic maintenance, upkeep and repair of the property so that it doesn't pose a high risk. They have recognized that Firewise concepts based on research about the home ignition zone make sense for property owners to apply, just the same way that simple security measures like locking one's doors to reduce the likelihood of theft make sense. Insurance can provide financial support for replacing a building and its contents, but it can't prevent fire from igniting your home and destroying personal items such as photo albums and keepsakes. Loss control in the form of applied Firewise concepts can give you a much greater chance to avoid becoming a claims statistic.

Welcome to the Firewise Forum Blog. This new area of the forum is designed for the use and enjoyment of people like you who have an interest in wildland/urban interface fire protection issues. Over the coming months, Firewise experts will post articles, tips, stories, and news about wildland/urban interface fire issues. Come back often, and let others who are interested in these topics know we're here.

We would like to hear from you, too! Please give us your reactions to our new, improved web site by clicking on the 'Comments' link beneath this article. We would also like to hear your suggestions regarding future blog topics. In the 'Comments' area, you can share your thoughts or look at postings other folks have made.

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The Blog moderator will review all comments for their relevancy to the wildland/urban interface fire issue, and for their content. No commercial comments will be accepted. Once your comment is reviewed, it will be posted for the other Firewise Forum users to read.

Welcome....and enjoy yourself!

Judith Leraas Cook
Firewise Home Page Manager