Statewide, Idaho - Ten western governors, including Idaho Governor C.L. “Butch" Otter, have proclaimed May as Wildfire Awareness Month. Throughout the month, residents are encouraged to learn how to better protect their homes and communities from wildfire and how they can help firefighters reduce the number of human-caused fires. In Idaho, the BLM has chosen to focus on a variety of themes that will be featured weekly during May’s “Mitigation Minute."
The Mitigation Minutes will provide helpful tips about creating survivable space around homes and properties, as well as potential causes of wildfires such as shooting, fireworks, dragging chains, parking on dry grass, and escaped campfires.
“It takes a ‘team’ to battle wildfires and we want everyone to be a part of this team," said Michael Morcom, BLM Idaho state fire management officer. “It is vital that we work with our community partners and local fire departments. This only serves to strengthen our fire force in Idaho."
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has also identified May 5 as National Wildfire Community Preparedness Day. Neighbors and friends can commit a couple of hours or the entire day to help reduce a community’s wildfire risk. Check out the NFPA webpage for details: https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/Campaigns/National-Wildfire-Community-Preparedness-Day
For more information about wildland fire prevention and community preparedness, visit www.idahofireinfo.com, www.idahofirewise.org, or https://fireadpated.org/.
Follow Idaho BLM Fire and Aviation:
* Idaho Fire Info Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/idahofireinfo/
* BLM Idaho Fire Twitter - https://twitter.com/BLMIdahoFire
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management
