Preparing for wildfires is everyone's responsibility
Over the last two years, 85% of the wildfires in Texas have occurred within two miles of a community – so it’s quickly being understood that wildland fires are not just a problem for rural homeowners.
Texas, the eighth fastest growing state in the nation, is seeing many of its citizens moving to the Wildland Urban Interface – a place where subdivisions and businesses meet the surrounding forests and fields. With this move to the wildlands, new fire risks are being seen.
Texas Forest Service continues to assess the changing needs and situations of the state’s interface areas. Making communities more aware of the threats from interface fires and giving them tools to develop plans to decrease these threats is the goal of Texas Forest Service.
With an increase in the wildland fire risks across Texas due to extended drought conditions and increasing urbanization, now is the time to be more Firewise.
As a homeowner, you are not powerless in your defense against wildfires. By taking a proactive approach to wildfire prevention and home defense, you can significantly increase your safety and your home's likelihood of survival during a catastrophic wildfire.
Recent catastrophic property losses have brought to the forefront the importance of a well-planned community. Many community planners are taking a proactive approach by integrating Firewise modifications into developments.
Tools for families, developers and fire departments:
Community Wildfire Protection Plans - helps communities determine the best strategies for protecting homes, improvements, and natural resources.
Community Risk Assessments - a tool for conducting fire risk assessments for communities and homes.
Firewise Community/USA - helps homeowners, developers, community leaders and concerned citizens take action to protect their homes or towns.
Community Wildfire Preparedness Library Program
Professional Development Training
Citizen Wildfire Ecology Certification Program
National Night Out
Changing Roles
Wildfire Awareness Week
Case Study on Homes Burned - After fire ripped through several communities on December 2005 and January 2006, many wondered why the fire burned brick or rock homes with metal roofs, or homes surrounded by short grass. Texas Forest Service sent a task force of WUI specialists to assess 100 of the homes that burned in six fires, primarily in the communities of Cross Plains, Carbon, Mineral Wells (Airport Fire), Canyon Creek, Ringgold and Huckabay.
For more information contact a WUI Specialist in your area.