Fall wildfire season is here – are you ready?
Is your home Firewise™?
Fire is one of the most destructive forces on the planet. Wildfires are unplanned fires that burn in forests and other wildlands.
From July 2018 through June 2019, the Mississippi Forestry Commission (MFC) responded to 491 wildfires that burned over 10,000 acres. Additionally, MFC wildland firefighters saved 1,040 structures, including homes, from these wildfires.
“Wildfires occur in Mississippi more often than people realize,” said Russell Bozeman, MFC state forester. “We want Mississippians to understand the danger and make sure they are prepared should a wildfire threaten their home.”
Part of this preparation comes through education.
“Educating yourself on steps you can take before a wildfire occurs is pivotal in protecting your home and property,” Bozeman said. “The MFC offers the Firewise™ program to homeowners and community leaders in order to share information and resources.”
Firewise™ is an educational program that equips homeowners and community leaders with the information they need to help design, construct, landscape and maintain homes and communities to better withstand wildfires.
“The MFC offers free Firewise™ workshops to the public, bringing citizens together to learn about protecting their communities from wildfires,” said Bozeman.
Here are a few Firewise™ tips that can help protect your home:
- Landscaping – create and maintain at least 30 feet of defensible space around your home.
- Remove hazards such as wood piles on the front porch and prune overhanging limbs.
- Reduce the amount of fuel that could bring a wildfire into the home by cleaning roofs and gutters.
“Mississippi’s fall wildfire season starts in September,” Bozeman said. “We want to ensure that everyone is Firewise™ and has the information they need to protect their property.”
For more information about the Firewise™ program and how you can protect your home, visit mfc.ms.gov/forest-protection/firewise, or like and follow @MSForestrComm on Facebook and Twitter.