The State of Rhode Island has a total of 1,214 square miles, or 776,960 acres. What does this have to do with the wildland-urban interface?
It helps to put into perspective that the 9.1 million U.S. acres lost to wildfire in 2006 encompass a landmass more than 10 times the size of Rhode Island. With federal firefighting costs of more than $1.5 billion in 2006 and the unacceptable loss of precious firefighters’ lives, what can we do to make 2007 and future years less destructive?
In the long term, there are countless strategies—some new and some fully developed—that we need to embrace. Recognizing the trend toward an expanding wildland-urban interface and the need to work with, not against, community planners and developers is essential. Collaboratively, we can improve access and implement plans to reduce the dangerous fuel loads that exacerbate wildfire.
Increased and ongoing public education targeting property owners is also essential. We will simply never have the resources needed to regulate a solution. Landowners must be educated, encouraged and empowered to share responsibility for their own safety.
Supporting interoperability and mutual aid pacts that enhance resource coordination of multiple responders is also critical. Great efficiencies will be gained through better coordination and preplanning. In addition, enhanced interoperability will substantially improve fire ground safety.
In the short term, there is one key action we can take to help minimize the destructive impact of fire in the wildland-urban interface. We can mark our calendars for March 6-8 and make plans to attend the IAFC’s Wildland Urban Interface: New Fire Frontiers Conference in Reno, Nevada.
Responding to suggestions from last year’s attendees, this year’s conference is designed to address a number of needs, including NWCG and NIMS certification, specifically several outstanding preconference choices for those who serve as task force/strike team leaders or logistics section chiefs or are otherwise charged with making tactical decisions.
Those who enjoy looking to the future will particularly appreciate the conference’s technology focus. The WUI 2007 Expo will include several vendors displaying and demonstrating the latest technologies and innovations in wildland firefighting.
Of particular interest will be a weather simulation chamber and GIS mapping tools. In addition, the U.S. Forest Service will be demonstrating their latest AVL-based aircraft tracking software.
Those seeking information about the products and services that will be available at the WUI 2007 Expo or simply wanting a preview can visit www.iafc.org/wui and click on “Interactive Expo.”
If you would like to be better prepared for the 2007 wildfire season, set aside March 6-8 to network, become better informed and learn about a number of new tools and technologies that will improve the effectiveness of firefighting in the wildland-urban interface.
See you there.
Jeffrey D. Johnson is the fire chief of Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue and president of the Western Fire Chiefs Association.