It's a new year and there is no better time to jumpstart your focus on wildfire safety than now, through the latest trend in communication: social networking.


MyFirewise facilitates a dialogue between people across the country with an interest in fire preparedness - residents, fire fighters, land and resource managers, etc. The site features links to Firewise landscaping tips as well as instructional videos for community members to reference when creating their home ignition zone. The site also allows members to upload videos, pictures, and post discussion questions pertaining to wildfire mitigation.

Join in today to start learning and sharing your stories of wildfire mitigation challenges and/or successes with friends in communities across the United States.

Labels: Firewise, home ignition zone, mitigation, social network, wildfire safety

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