Opportunities for Education about Wildland Fire Prevention
We can all agree that we live a remarkable and beautiful place. Our mountains and forests are a big part of our quality of life in the Prescott area, to be sure. Our proximity to this natural beauty also places us in an area at risk for wildland fire. Prescott Fire Department, Prescott National Forest and cooperating agencies are doing their best to keep us safe by managing the forest to help reduce the risk of a devastating wildfire. These agencies are also providing opportunities for citizens to learn more about our environment, how to mitigate risks at our homes, and to understand what our local agencies are doing to keep us safe.
Recently, Prescott Fire Department Named Conrad Jackson Wildfire Risk Manager. His job in part, is to educate the public about making their homes safer. Conrad wrote a series of great articles earlier this year, talking about what the City is doing in conjunction with our partner agencies, to become a Fire Adapted Community, and how to make your home safer from the threat of wildfire. Recently, all of these articles were published together in the Be Firewise booklet, jointly published in coordination with the Yavapai County Contractors Association (YCCA), and the Daily Courier. This booklet is available at City Hall, at the YCCA Offices, and is available online on the City website. Conrad will be speaking on the topic of Fire Adaptive Communities on November 20 at 12:30 pm at the Highlands Center for Natural History. Through his work with the community, Conrad Jackson has evidence that insurance companies respond when citizens and businesses reduce risk factors on their properties. So, your individual efforts can have a direct impact on maintaining your homeowners coverage and premium rates, while making our entire community safer.
Prescott National Forest is also educating the public through a series called the Prescribed Fire Miniseries. It will take place at the Highlands Center for Natural History Thursdays October 3, 10, 17 and 24 at 9 am. This is a great way to learn about forestry management and why prescribed fire is an important part of forest management. The goal is to help the community to learn more about why and how the Forest Service uses fire as a tool for land management. This includes many considerations that take place during the planning process prior to doing any ignitions. For example, working with local partners, landowners, stakeholders, specialists from within the forest service and other agencies needed to coordinate this work on public lands. To register for the classes, go to www.highlandscenter.org/adult-programs.
Prescott National Forest will also be sharing this information at upcoming meetings with area stakeholders, on the Prescott National Forest Facebook page and outreach through KYCA radio station.
I would be remiss if I did not mention Yavapai Firewise (aka Prescott Area Wildland Urban Interface Commission). They are another ongoing resource for wildland fire awareness. Yavapai Firewise has a very informative website, YavapaiFirewise.org, where you can learn more about wildfire safety, and connect with others who want to learn more. They also appear at local events and make presentations to the public.
We live in a beautiful location that interacts closely with our forests, and at an increased risk for wildfire. We are fortunate to have several agencies providing opportunities to learn more about wildland fire, and our role in helping to reduce the risk.
To learn more about Conrad Jackson’s role and how he is educating the public, give him a call at 928-777-1700, ext. 7065.
