California saw several early fires in May, and with long-term drought affecting many areas of the United States, climatologists predict that 2004 will be another dangerously explosive wildland fire season.

The International Association of Fire Chiefs issued a defensive strategy in April and joined other fire organizations in calling all fire chiefs to prepare.

“We encourage local fire departments to contact their nearest federal resource agency and their state forester,” said Lew Southard, U.S. Forest Service branch chief, fire prevention. “Local, state and federal agencies should connect with each other now to look at the potential activity for the fire season, review any standing agreements and make sure everyone has a mutual understanding of what processes are in place.”

Chiefs need to engage in dialogue with their city and county officials, as well as with the citizens in their communities. The IAFC urged members to reach out to local, state and regional leaders to:

• Openly discuss your current wildland-urban interface issues with your local elected leadership. Get engaged in the prevention efforts, zoning and land-use issues.
• Develop partnerships with state and federal agencies.
• Discuss the needs for fuel mitigation initiatives in your community.
• Examine how your community is prepared to respond to a major wildland-urban interface fire in your area.
• Embrace the FIREWISE program to help your community prepare in advance. Encourage local residents to prepare their homes to be resistant to wildland fires.

The IAFC also offers a number of resources to help fire chiefs and communities prepare for the upcoming wildland fire season. It has a special Web site at www.iafc.org/Grants/wildland_fire.asp with links to resources, wildland fire documents and other important materials to help chiefs and communities prepare.

Online Course

The Federal Emergency Management Agency in May posted a new online, independent study course that teaches local and municipal firefighters to safely participate in a wildland-urban interface event.

Wildland/Urban Interface Fire Operations for the Structural Firefighter Self-Study (Q618) identifies operational activities and safety concerns for the structural firefighter in interface areas, where housing is located in or near wildlands. The course also covers wildland fire behavior and safety issues.

It takes from two to eight hours to complete, according to DHS, and those who successfully finish it receive a certificate. For more on the course, see www.usfa.fema.gov/applications/nfacsd/display.jsp?cc=Q618.