Title and Description
Fire Adapted Communities: The Next Step in Wildfire Preparedness
There is more wildfire in our future. The trend is towards an increasing number of acres burned. The likelihood that people will be threatened by wildfire is growing. Unfortunately, many homeowners and their homes are not prepared to survive a wildfire. Do we ignore these trends and accept the consequences? Or, do we become proactive to minimize the impacts?
A new concept of creating Fire Adapted Communities (FAC) is starting to emerge as another solution for communities to consider. A FAC can survive a wildfire with little or no assistance from firefighters. During a wildfire, FACs can reduce the potential for loss of human life and injury, minimize damage to homes and infrastructure, and reduce firefighting costs.
To find out more on this new concept, and how you can incorporate this into your extension program, participate in a June 7, 2011 webcast hosted by the Extension Wildfire Information Network.
Date and Time Held
June 7, 2011
1:00 pm (Eastern), 12:00 pm (Central), 11:00 am (Mountain), 10:00 am (Pacific)
About the Speaker
Ed Smith
Ed Smith, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension is now working with a Nevada community on implementing the concept of FAC. More on this community project may be found at Living with Fire.
Topics Addressed
- 1. Origin of the FAC concepts
- 2. Elements of a FAC
-
- – Homes use ignition resistant construction and maintenance practices.
-
- – Residential landscapes also serve as effective defensible space.
-
- – Fuelbreaks separate urban areas from wildland vegetation.
-
- – A “safe area” is present within the community.
-
- – There is more than one-way in and out of the community.
-
- – Residents know how to properly prepare their homes for survival when wildfire is threatening.
-
- – Residents know how to safely and effectively evacuate.
- 3. Opportunities for Cooperative Extension
Recording and Resources
Recorded Webcast: FAC-The Next Step in Wildfire Preparedness
(If you are having trouble viewing this recording, try clicking your Internet browser Refresh key.)
Resources:
- Quadrennial Fire Review 2009
- National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy
- Article by Pam Leschak, USDA Forest Service, “Strong Partnerships and the Right Tools: The Pre-wildfire Strategy of Fire Adapted Communities” Download article
- University of Nevada Cooperative Extension publication on Fire Adapted Communities Download publication
Additional Information
eXtension Wildfire Information Network Webcast Series
How to Participate in eWIN Webcasts
eWIN Webcast Troubleshooting