Residents living in high-risk wildfire areas who want to take action steps to increase their safety but are unsure about how to start can now find the information, and the inspiration, they need to organize and accomplish wildfire risk reduction projects in their community. Marble Falls is teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) for a Wildfire Community Preparedness Day event on May 4, 2019, which helps communities prepare for and work together to reduce their risk of wildfire damage.
Preparedness Day is a call to action that gives people of all ages a chance to plan and participate in a risk reduction or wildfire preparedness activity that makes their community a safer place to live.
“Continued drought, hotter temperatures and low humidity are major contributors to the increased wildfire activity we are experiencing in Texas”, says Fire Marshal Tommy Crane. “That’s why Marble Falls Fire Rescue has organized our Community Wildfire Protection Plan and are committed to working together with NFPA to make our community safer from the threat of wildfire. We believe Preparedness Day is a great way to raise awareness of this important issue”.
Marble Falls Fire Rescue offers a 30-minute presentation on the dangers of wildfires and how to better prepare yourself and homes in case of a wildfire. We will come to your homeowners’ meetings or neighborhood gatherings or stop by the station any time for more information.
Below are actions residents can take to reduce the risk of home and property becoming fuel for a wildfire and that our presentation will cover:
Rake and remove pine needles and dry leaves within a minimum of 3 to 5 feet of a home’s foundation. As time permits – continue up to a 30-foot distance around the home. Dispose of collected debris in appropriate trash receptacles.
Collect downed tree limbs and broken branches and take them to a disposal site.
Join forces with neighbors and pool your resources to pay for a chipper service to remove slash.
Help an elderly relative or neighbor enter emergency numbers and the names of close relatives into their cell phones; and in large font post their phone number and street address above their landline so it can easily be seen when providing information to an emergency dispatcher.
Find additional project ideas and learn more about the national Wildfire Community Preparedness Day event on May 4 by visiting www.wildfireprepday.org.
