Conference Highlights

Photographs from the 2006 conference illustrate the wide array of conference participants, speakers and staff that were able to spend time networking, having conversations, listening, learning and celebrating Firewise achievements.


Representatives of 11 communities were specially recognized for their contributions over five years of participation in the Firewise Communities/USA Recognition Program. Special-edition Firewise Communities/USA postage stamps were presented to community representatives before an audience of more than 440 people at the opening session of the conference.



Members of the National Wildfire Coordinating Group's WUI Working Team were on hand to meet and greet participants. Wayne Ching (right), a WUI Working Team representative and a wildfire manager with the Hawaii Division of Natural Resources meets with conference attendees.


Fire science researcher Jack Cohen of the USDA Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station taught a course on Assessing Wildfire Hazards in the Home Ignition Zone and spoke to a general session on linking Firewise action around homes to protection of the broader landscape.


Friday night's banquet featured great food and the musical stylings of The Blues Rangers from the De Soto National Forest in Mississipi.


Saturday afternoon wrapped up with a provocative discussion, "Does Evacuation Always Put Life Safety First?" moderated by Boston TV news investigative reporter Jorge Quiroga.