Wildfire Awareness Week
Wildfire Awareness Week
08 May 2011
published by www.napavalleyregister.com
US — The Napa Communities Firewise Foundation (Napa Firewise) reminds residents that May 1 7 is Wildfire Awareness Week throughout California. This week is time to sit down with your family to review your emergency fire plan, or build a plan. A good place to start is with a visit to the Napa Firewise website at napafirewise.org. Click on Defensible Space and go to chapter 14, Create Your Own Wildfire Action Plan.
Five templates provide tips on vegetation management, checklists on what to do if a wildfire approaches, what to do if you are trapped in your home and a handy form for phone numbers and the locations of pre-arranged meeting points for family and friends. The site also contains photos and descriptions of fire-resistant and water-wise landscaping choices and a handy online application form for free chipping services.
While its hard to think about fire season when we are still digging out from a very wet winter and spring, its never too soon to get ready for wildfire in California, said Darren Drake, president of Napa Firewise and fire marshal for the city of Napa.
This means every home and business needs to have an emergency plan that they can execute in a moments notice. This is not just a rural problem. Given the right conditions, a fast-moving wildfire in the hills of east or west Napa could spell disaster even for Napa Valley city dwellers. Wildfire knows no boundaries. Vineyards and grasslands, and yes, your own surrounding yards and landscaping can burn equally well. I encourage all residents of Napa County to use May 1-7 as an opportunity to think about wildfire and then take positive steps to prepare.
For more information about Napa Firewise, visit the napafirewise.org.