What to do after a wildfire

Though we can prepare our families, home, and property for fire, wildfires are an inevitable part of living in fire-prone landscapes. Most educational material focuses on preparation. But what should we do after a wildfire has burned through our area? -First, stay informed. Don’t try to get back to your home until local law enforcement allow you to return. Be prepared to show evidence...

Want to learn more about local hazard mitigation? Try a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) members are not firefighters, but they are trained in fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. The CERT program provides members of the public basic training for emergency response, providing them the tools to be ready to respond when disaster strikes. This is particularly important in areas where for...

Governor declares Wildfire Awareness Week in California

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has declared May 2-8 to be Wildfire Awareness Week (PDF) in California. Cal Fire’s theme for the week is You Provide the Defense, We Provide the Offense! based on the internationally recognized Ready, Set, Go! program. Events are planned through the week, with a planned roll-out of a new CalFire website called Ready for Fire on May 2nd and a kick-off event...

Ready, Set, Go! Wildfire safety program gaining favor in the U.S.

The International Association of Fire Chiefs is promoting a new program for inhabitants of fire prone areas (not just the Wildland-Urban Interface) called Ready, Set, Go! The concept is deceptively simple: each word stands for a phase of planning and preparation for wildland fire. Get Ready! This phase begins months or years before the wildfire’s ignition, with outreach from firefighters...