Wildfire Community Preparedness Day is a national campaign that encourages people and organizations everywhere to come together on a single day to take action to raise awareness and reduce wildfire risks.
It is held in the United States and Canada on the first Saturday in May. Prep Day is focused on what residents can do on and around their home to help protect against the threat of wildfires.
Defending the Home Ignition Zone (HIZ)
Research shows there are proven methods for preparing properties for withstanding the devastating impacts of a wildfire. This Prep Day, you have the power to protect the part of the community that means the most to you and your family by eliminating vulnerabilities in the HIZ, particularly the immediate 5-foot zone around your residence. Whether it's replacing wood chips with gravel or reimagining your entire landscape design, what you do on Saturday, May 6, really matters. Be ready to make a difference in helping to avoid loss and tragedy with information and resources from NFPA®.
Put your project on the map!
Another great way to share what you’re doing to make a difference on May 6 is to include your planned project or event on the Wildfire Community Preparedness Day map. View the map and enter your event!
Wildfire preparedness social media cards
Share these images on Facebook to remind residents about the risks, and the steps they can take to stay safer from wildfire. Use the hashtag #wildfireprepday2023 to help spread the word. Each social card has a link to related resources and information. To download a card, right click on the image and select "save image as."
Contrary to popular belief, most homes do not burn down from direct contact with wildfire flames or radiant heat. In this video, misconceptions about wildfires are too often perpetuated in media as massive walls of flame that scorch everything in their path.
Did you know there are often not enough resources to have firefighters in place to protect every home threatened by wildfire?
A worthwhile effort
"We had a very busy fire fuel reduction project. Approx. 6 tons of dry trees, grasses, shrubs, etc were removed and mulched to be used along the borders to further reduce our fire risks. We are very grateful for the funding that allowed us to make our community a more fire resistant and safer place to live."
Diane "Maka'ala" Kanealii, Executive Director, Kailapa Community Association
“I appreciate your giving us the opportunity to participate in the Wildfire Community Preparedness Day. It has been a wonderful chance to work with organizations we don't typically think of when smoke is in the air.”
Darron Williams, Bureau of Indian Affairs