Be a Guiding Force
One of the major wildland fire problems that has emerged over the last 30 years is increasing home construction within fire-prone landscapes. It doesn't matter where or how large or how costly that home might be, a person's home is his or her proverbial castle. Wildland fire threatens these lifetime investments; it threatens families and neighbors. That makes certain fires “bad,” a trait we apply that makes it something to be feared and to be defended against. As English poet Francis Quarles once wrote, “Let the fear of danger be a spur to prevent it; he that fears not, gives advantage to the danger.”
Agencies responsible for wildfire or bushfire protection have had to adapt to this changing landscape. Canada developed FireSmart, the United States has Firewise, and Australia uses Prepare: Stay and Defend or go Early. Each program emphasizes homeowner responsibility in making houses more resistant to flames and embers and safer for both firefighters and residents. A good book that covers some of these topics is the recently published Community Bushfire Safety, edited by John Handmer and Katharine Haynes. It is a compilation of many important community fire-safety works being done by the Australian Bushfire Cooperative Research Centre.
The individual who deals with the public face to face, whether he or she is from an agency, a private contractor or a local fire department, is the critical link in passing along accumulated wisdom about wildland fire prevention and protection to homeowners and their communities. Sometimes the job is just a simple matter of passing along educational materials and an encouraging word that homeowners are on the right path to improving their personal situation. Other times it's necessary for this person to take a more active role by conducting assessments, developing mitigation plans and helping homeowners mitigate their fuel situation to reduce potential fire behavior. It can be a complex yet very rewarding job for the right person, who is seen not only as the fire expert but also the “bug and tree disease guy” and the source for information on fire-safe home improvements and other information.
It takes more than just newspaper inserts and brochures to motivate and educate homeowners to assume their responsibility in protecting themselves and their homes from wildland fire. Each homeowner and each residence is unique; each solution also is unique. The formation and recognition of groups like Firewise Communities and local FireSafe Councils help move local communities forward in an organized manner to continue and maintain the work they already have accomplished and to become collaborative partners. It is important that these really be grassroots organizations, formed and maintained by homeowners with assistance only as needed from the fire community. These local groups can take over the role of educating other homeowners and even can apply peer pressure when needed — neighbors can be very influencing.
But until homeowners are sufficiently knowledgeable and organized and can tackle their own fire/fuel situation, it's up to us in the fire community to provide guidance and help. I hope you discover in this issue some knowledge that helps you provide that guidance.
International Assn. of Wildland Fire
P.O. Box 261
Hot Springs, S.D.
57747-0261
ph: 605-890-2348
fax: 206-600-5113
To join the IAWF, visit www.iawfonline.org
Send them to:
Wildfire Magazine
330 N. Wabash Ave.
Suite 2300
Chicago, Ill. 60611
Attn: Lisa Allegretti
lisa.allegretti@penton.com
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