National Wildfire Community Preparedness Day 2023: Date, History, Facts about Wildfire

Wildfire Community Preparedness Day is observed annually on the first Saturday of May, which falls on May 6 this year. It is a national campaign that encourages individuals and organisations to take action to increase wildfire awareness so that people can increase the protection of their homes and communities. Experts predict that the constant increase in wildfire activity in the United States over the past decade will continue. Therefore, it is crucial to raise awareness and take action to safeguard your home and community from the threat of wildfires.

The Background of Wildfire Community Preparedness Day

Since 2014, Wildfire Community Preparedness Day has been observed annually. This campaign, founded by the National Fire Protection Association (N.F.P.A. ), allows individuals and communities residing in areas prone to wildfires to partake in projects that reduce wildfire risks and improve preparedness. The N.F.P.A. offers a Prep Day toolkit with information such as project ideas and safety guidelines. Individuals and communities can apply for State Farm project funding awards totaling $500 USD to support their endeavours.

Every year, wildfires ravage the United States, destroying thousands of residences. It is said that more than half of the time, burned residences are not caused by direct contact with wildfire flames or radiant heat, but by embers that can travel over a mile on the wind. These embers are captured by the dry leaves, pine needles, and detritus on the decks and porches of a home. They ignite and gradually consume the target. As a result, eradicating these fuel sources from the area surrounding the home is a significant means of protecting it from embers and wildfire flames.

The purpose of Wildfire Community Preparedness Day is to dedicate a single day to increasing your home’s safety against wildfires by emptying the home’s ignition zone. It may involve removing dead leaves and pine needles, disposing of collected detritus, clearing decks or porches and their undersides, and removing low-hanging tree branches. It is necessary to work with at least two people and don safety gear or personal protective equipment while completing the project. It is also essential to be aware of environmental conditions.

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5 facts about wildfires that you must know

Due to their instinct, larger mammals typically evacuate their habitats prior to the occurrence of wildfires.

More than eighty percent of wildfires are reportedly caused by human error, such as unattended campfires and discarded cigarettes.

Although fire tornadoes and fire whirls are uncommon, they can cause the rapid spread of fires.

In some respects, wildfires are beneficial because they remove dead and diseased vegetation and enrich the soil.

More than a hundred thousand times per day, lightning strikes the planet, and 10 to 20 percent of these strikes can cause fires.

NATIONAL WILDFIRE COMMUNITY PREPAREDNESS DAY DATES