May 5th is National Wildfire Community Preparedness Day, a campaign that encourages people to come together and take action to reduce wildfire risks.
At Team Rubicon, we have a bias for action. And, our volunteers and training department are working hard to help communities respond to and prepare for wildfires. In partnership with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), we’ve provided wild land fire training for Team Rubicon volunteers so they can become certified as wild land firefighters and work on federally managed wildfire incidents.
By this May of 2018, there were approximately 1,400 trained wild land firefighters in our ranks. And over the last three years, more than 350 Team Rubicon volunteers have deployed to support BLM wildfire response operations in places like Nevada, California, Oregon, Washington, Tennessee, and Alaska.
Not only are our teams ready to deploy and support wildfire response efforts, but they’re also out in communities across the country working to enhance resiliency and reduce their risk of wildfire damage before it happens.
Our recent and near-future wildfire mitigation operations include:
- From April 26-30, 2018, 16 Team Rubicon volunteers deployed to the Missoula, Montana area to help minimize the risk of wildfires by thinning several acres of trees and removing brush, debris and other “fuels” in a heavily wooded area adjacent to other landowners.
- From May 4-9, 2018, we will deploy a team to Arizona to assist the Flagstaff Fire Department in ongoing wildfire mitigation efforts, including: forest thinning operations, debris removal, neighborhood outreach, and education regarding wildfire mitigation. This includes wildfire threat mitigation at individual residences in affected communities in coordination with local and state authorities.
- On May 4, 2018 we will deploy a team to Manitou Springs, Colorado to assist in flood and wildfire mitigation efforts.
- On May 5-6, 2018 we will deploy a team by boat to Cuttyhunk Island, Massachusetts to clear the island’s fire-breaks using chainsaws, and we will remove debris and fire “fuels” to assist in wildfire mitigation for the local community.
- Furthermore, we’re monitoring the Tinder Fire in Coconino County, Arizona.
Storm season is here. We’re ready to punch natural disasters and wildfires in the teeth. If you’re committed to serving those in need, there’s a spot for you on the team. Sign up to volunteer.
