Every year, on average, human-caused wildfires account for approximately half of all wildfires in the United States. Though most of these fires are caused by accidents, many of them can be prevented. Educate yourself on how you can prevent wildfires and mitigate the impacts of wildfires on your community.
A prevention partnership
Humans cause an average of 80% of all wildland fires on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) public lands. Wildfires threaten people, homes and precious natural resources. Firefighters risk their lives to protect our communities and suppress these preventable incidents. In an effort to end these damaging human-caused wildfires, the BLM has partnered with Maverik — Adventure’s First Stop, a convenience store brand operating 382 locations across 12 western states, to educate the public about how they can avoid starting these incidents. The partnership began in May to coincide with Wildfire Awareness Month. It will focus on providing simple, yet effective education tools for public lands users, which they’ll see right before departing for their next public lands adventure at Maverik stores. These videos (in the right navigation) will be playing on gas pumps and monitors inside Maverik locations encouraging everyone to recreate safely and responsibly. Spark Safety, Not Wildfires!
Plan, Prepare and Prevent
Wildfire season is year-round in many parts of the country. What can you do to help support our firefighters and protect your family from wildland fires?
Plan for wildfire
In many areas, May is Wildfire Awareness Month. As the weather becomes warmer and wildland vegetation, or fuels, begin to dry out, it is time to plan for the wildfires.
During a wildfire, embers cause most home ignitions. Residents can harden homes minimizing property damage and protecting firefighters. Help reduce putting firefighters and communities at risk by hardening your home to ember intrusion and creating defensible space on private property.
- Get Ready
- Become Firewise
- Learn about wildfire-resistance
- Understand, explore, and reduce wildfire risk to your community
Prepare your home
Taking steps to make your home survivable and community adaptable to wildfire helps protect firefighters too. Live better with wildfires - learn how to mitigate wildfire risk around your property and community:
Prevent wildfires
The public plays a valuable role in preventing wildfires. The national average of human-caused wildfires comprises 87 percent of all wildfire occurrences every year. Most of these fires can be prevented.
Preventable wildfires threaten lives, property, and our precious natural resources. Whether it is properly extinguishing a campfire or keeping your vehicle maintained to prevent sparks, following just a few simple steps can help prevent wildfires.
Learn how to properly use outdoor equipment; burn debris safely; start, maintain, and extinguish a campfire; maintain a vehicle and tow safely; and practice fire-safe target shooting to name a few.
Check out on-line resources to learn about wildfire prevention in your state or area. Here are just a few:
