Wildfire Awareness Week, 04.24.14

Date: April 22, 2014

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New Hampshire Celebrates Wildfire Awareness Week

 

(Concord, NH) – In conjunction with the Northeastern Forest Fire Protection

Commission’s Prevention Education Working Team, New Hampshire will be

observing April 20-26th as Wildfire Awareness Week. As a member of the

Northeastern Forest Fire Protection Commission since 1949, New Hampshire is

joined by six states, four Canadian provinces, the New England National

Forests, the National Park Service, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service in

an international compact focused on cooperation in preventing and

suppressing wildfires. The compact provides opportunities for agency members

to train together and share valuable resources when a wildfire or natural

disaster strikes. “With eighty-four percent of New Hampshire covered by

forests, protecting our communities and natural resources from wildfire

remains a top priority,” said Brad Simpkins, Interim Director of the NH

Division of Forests and Lands. Each year the Granite State experiences an

average of 400 wildfires, many of which are caused by human carelessness.

Most, if not all of these fires could be avoided if people would take the

time to review the laws, rules and regulations before striking a match.

 

The Division of Forests and Lands will be staffing area fire towers, using

aerial reconnaissance, and staffing additional patrols beginning this month

in an effort to support area fire departments in detecting fires early.

“Catching fires while they are still small is better for firefighter safety,

they’re less expensive to suppress, and they cause less damage, so we put a

heavy emphasis on early detection”

Simpkins noted.

 

As our state’s population continues to expand into previously undeveloped

areas where homes become intermixed with forests, wildfires can also

threaten life and property.

“Each year we continue to see more structures threatened and impacted by

wildfires” said Doug Miner, Forest Ranger and Fire Prevention Specialist.

Every homeowner should consider the value of implementing “Firewise”

recommendations to reduce the threat of wildfire to their property. By

working together with their local Forest Fire Warden and fire department,

landowners can take steps to create defensible space around their

structures. Homeowners are encouraged to contact their local fire

department, Forest Ranger or visit the Firewise Communities website at

www.firewise.org <http://www.firewise.org/> for additional information.

 

 

As Smokey Bear has reminded us for nearly seventy years, Only You Can

Prevent Wildfires! As we observe Wildfire Awareness Week please take the

time to speak to your children about the dangers of fire. Because wildfires

burn more than just trees!

 

The New Hampshire Division of Forests and Lands, Forest Protection Bureau is

part of the Department of Resources and Economic Development. To learn more

about the Division of Forests and Lands, visit www.nhdfl.org

<http://www.nhdfl.org/> or call 603-271-2214