Photo Credit: Presentation at 2016 SW Idaho Wildfire Mitigation Forum. Photo by Jennifer Myslivy, State Fire Mitigation & Trespass Specialist, BLM

On Monday, May 16, 2016 approximately 60 stakeholders converged on the Barber Park Education and Event Center in east Boise to attend the 2016 Southwest Idaho Wildfire Mitigation Forum. Prior to the event organizers developed a joint media release that attracted two news channels to the event. Watch the story from one station here.

The event went very well, with terrific presentations on a variety of wildfire mitigation and fire adaptation related topics. One of the highlights of the Forum was a presentation by Cathy Prudhomme, NFPA Firewise Program Manager. We also had presentations on native and non-native vegetation; a 2015 fire season recap and 2016 fire season forecast; remote sensing and local situational awareness; Wildfire Awareness Month and website resources; land use planning in the wildland-urban interface; post-fire erosion potential; grant funding and several more.

Pam Leschak Sharing the FAC Message
Photo Credit: Jennifer Myslivy, State Fire Mitigation & Trespass Specialist, BLM

Some of the major benefits of this Forum are the connections made during breaks and at lunch. Among those in attendance were several fire departments/districts, USFS, BLM, Idaho Department of Lands, Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security, Idaho Firewise, City of Boise, Town of Hidden Springs, Central District Health Department, United Heritage Insurance, Ada County Emergency Management, Elmore County Emergency Management, International Association of Wildland Fire, NFPA, Boise State University, the University of Idaho and several homeowners. Collectively, the Forum offered a terrific opportunity to network and build relationships with other people working on fire adaptation issues. Connections were made and collaboration will increase because of this Forum, spreading fire adaptation messages far and wide.

Idaho Firewise South Idaho Program Manager, Brett VanPaepeghem and Idaho Firewise Executive Director, Ivy Dickinson. Photo credit: Jennifer Myslivy, State Fire Mitigation & Trespass Specialist, BLM

Thank you to Ada County Parks and Waterways who graciously donated the use of their event center to host the 4^th annual Forum. Other sponsors included the Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network, the Bureau of Land Management, Idaho Firewise and the Boise Fire Department.

Jerry McAdams gives closing comments. Photo Credit: Jennifer Myslivy, State Fire Mitigation & Trespass Specialist, BLM

Please note that comments are manually approved by a website administrator and may take some time to appear.