VERO BEACH — Wildfire Awareness Week is an effort to draw public attention to the growing threat of wildfires and about challenges State Wildland Firefighters face when fighting wildfires.
There has been a dramatic increase in the number of people moving into the wildland urban interface (where homes meet the woods) over the past decade. There has been a comparable increase in wildland fires, acreage burned, structures damaged or destroyed, firefighter injuries, and fire suppression costs.
State Wildland Firefighters ask homeowners to become partners with them in reducing human caused wildfires and to prepare their home before a wildfire occurs.
Nine out of ten wildfires are caused by people. Please use caution with anything that can cause a spark, and if you accidently start a wildfire, call 911 immediately.
Several high-risk communities have partnered up with firefighters and made the effort to become firewise. All homeowners who live near the woods need to prepare their home and family before a wildfire occurs.
Be ready, be firewise. Take personal responsibility and prepare long before the threat of a wildland fire so your home is ready in case of a fire. Create defensible space by clearing brush away from your home.
Use fire-resistant landscaping and harden your home with fire-safe construction measures. Assemble emergency supplies and belongings in a safe spot. Plan escape routes and make sure all those residing within the home know the plan of action.
When a wildfire threatens, leave knowing that you have a plan and have prepared your home.
For more information about how to be ready for wildland fires, go to www.Firewise.org.