Wildfire Community Preparedness Day

Wildfire Community Preparedness Day is a national commemoration for people and organizations everywhere to come together on a single day to take action to raise awareness and reduce wildfire risk.

A wildfire is a type of fire that is difficult to extinguish and is particularly devastating, occurring in rural areas, or in forested areas. Without proper containment, they can destroy miles of woodland, burn hundreds of trees and drive wildlife from their homes.

As you might expect, heavily wooded areas are particularly susceptible to fire exposure, especially in hotter, drier climates around the world.

Wildfires can happen for a number of reasons, but they tend to occur in conjunction with natural events like lightning strikes and volcanic eruptions. Wildfires are also known to start from sparks that can appear when rocks fall onto landslides or from cliff faces.

That said, in areas frequented by humans, wildfires can also be started by discarded cigarettes, sparks from work equipment or simply by arsonists.

This celebration is meant to educate us on how to stop these raging fires in the first place, and how to act if it looks like its starting.

History of Wildfire Community Preparedness Day

Wildfires have been around since before our recorded history, but with the increasing human presence in some areas, it's becoming increasingly a problem.

Careless campers disposing of a burning cigarette can be the small spark needed to create a roaring fire, or simply the spark from woodworking machinery or fuel splattered in the bushes could make things worse.

Because the effects of wildfires can be devastating, the National Fire Protection Association has included this day in the calendar for the community to come together to take all the right steps to contain them.

The NFPA and State Farm are committed to wildfire safety, but we're also concerned about your personal and family safety and the safety of your community from the threat of coronavirus. We created the annual Wildfire Community Preparedness Day campaign as a way to rally people around the cause of bushfire safety and turn ideas into action that can make a difference. However, today we are facing a global public health threat, and we recognize that COVID-19 may prevent you from meeting to carry out your plans or to do activities that you usually do together, now and on May 2.

The NFPA and State Farm urge people not to feel pressured to hold gatherings or events that could affect public health at this time. We support efforts to postpone your event and planning activities until the end of the year or a time when it may be safe to do so.

The actions you take on Wildfire Community Preparedness Day can make a difference in the survival of your home and neighborhood if a bushfire occurs. Do you know that participating in this holiday can also create a sense of community because of working together? Talk to your family, neighbors, and community partners to create your own unique project today.

Instead of in-person events, the NFPA and State Farm suggest doing activities you can do at home that still help raise wildfire safety awareness, such as posting and sharing messages and tips on Facebook and Twitter with others in your community.

How to celebrate Wildfire Community Preparedness Day

If you live near a forest or woods, today would be a great day to go for a walk and enjoy the peaceful pleasures the countryside has to offer.

Participating in volunteer efforts to keep these areas safe is also a great way to observe Wildfire Community Preparedness Day - put on some gardening gloves and help clear things up due to local bushfires. Careless person left can cause fire.

It's also a great day to teach your kids about the dangers of fire and the effect being careless has on wildlife and forest ecosystems.

You can also donate to your local forest service or start a picnic or charity event to show your support.