NFPA’s Wildfire Division provides resources to residents and stakeholders to help ensure that everyone living at risk from wildfire has the information, knowledge, and tools to reduce their risk.
Every year, wildfires burn across the United States, and a growing number of people are living where wildfires are a real risk. In 2018 more than 58,000 fires burned nearly nine million acres across the U.S. More than 25,000 structures were destroyed, including 18,137 residences and 229 commercial structures. California accounted for the highest number of structures lost in one state due to the number of significant fires, including the Mendocino Complex, Carr, Camp and Woolsey fires.
Learn more about the federal Community Wildfire Defense Grants
The US Forest Service (USFS) has released the Community Wildfire Defense Grant (CWDG) program. This program, created by last year’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and funded at $160 million annually for the next five years, will help communities at risk from wildfires plan and implement steps to reduce their risk. READ MORE.
Firewise USA®
The Firewise USA® recognition program empowers residents to work collaboratively in reducing wildfire risks; currently there are more than 1,500 recognized Firewise USA® sites in 42 states actively engaging residents in preparing and protecting their homes against the threat of wildfire.
Training and Certification
- Assessing Structure Ignition Potential from Wildfire - Get the knowledge and skills needed through this two-day classroom training to effectively evaluate and communicate parcel level wildfire risks by using home ignition zone concepts to identify and address vulnerabilities that provide effective wildfire mitigation recommendations.
- Certified Wildfire Mitigation Specialist program (CWMS) - The CWMS credential offers professionals whose work involves wildfire hazard mitigation, the ability to demonstrate that they understand hazard mitigation measures, planning and preparedness strategies, public education practices, and wildland fire science.
Campaigns
- Wildfire Community Preparedness Day - Celebrated the first Saturday in May each year, Wildfire Community Preparedness Day is a great opportunity to raise wildfire awareness, promote collaboration and bring neighbors together to work on projects that can help protect homes, neighborhoods and entire communities from future wildfire risk or current post-fire impacts
- TakeAction - Teens for Wildfire Safe Communities - Empower youth living in communities with wildfire risks to take action through NFPA's free tools and resources designed to get them involved in risk reduction projects and activities with their family and friends.
Extreme wildfire conditions and loss of life and property are increasing. Residents play a key role in reducing the risks.
News from our Fire Break blog