NFPA Wildfire Community Preparedness Day

Major wildfire events have become known as our “new normal” Increasing in frequency, size and intensity. Did you know, during extreme wildfire events, there are often not enough fire resources in place to protect the many threatened homes from a wildfire? This is one of many reasons why community members are encouraged to get involved in Wildfire Community Preparedness Day. An annual event, the first Saturday in May.

Over 100 lives lost and $25 Billion in property loss

October 2017 - Firestorm, Northern CA

44 dead, 8,700 structures destroyed

November 2018 - Camp Fire, Northern CA

85 dead, 18,800 structures destroyed

October 23, 2019 - Kincade Fire, Sonoma County

76,000 acres, 189 buildings destroyed, 90,000 buildings threatened

October 28, 2019 - Getty Fire, Los Angeles

7,000+ residences in mandatory evacuation zone

*2019 - A total of 200,000 people evacuated for State of Emergency

Source: Insurance Information Institute

That’s why the National Fire Protection Association has instituted Wildfire Community Preparedness Day, or Prep Day.

Prep Day was created to “raise awareness of wildfire risk, to share information and knowledge, and to help residents make changes to improve the survival of their homes and neighborhoods. “

Prep Day is a chance for individuals and businesses to devote a day to the survival of their home and neighborhood during a wildfire event.

The NFPA has created tool kits, as well as social media messages, to help spread the word and guide home and business owners in their fire safety journey. It’s free and you can access these resources here.