Wildland fires can be catastrophic for forests but also for the homeowner and his property. Fires are often caused by natural factors, but by far, the largest cause of wildfires is man-related. Acting in a more responsible way and thinking wildfire prevention will hopefully reduce the number of wildfires contributed by man.

Preventing forest fires is everybody's responsibility!

The Northeast Compact Prevention and Education Working Team (PEWT) offers some ways to do so. See the Prevention section for more information.

Mini-Mobilization: Fire Prevention Education Team (FPET): Southeast Massachusetts, Town of Mashpee

What:

Fire Prevention Education Teams are mobilized and deployed to areas that are experiencing (1) a higher than normal wildfire danger, or (2) a high incidence of human-caused wildfires, or (3) need assistance in preventing and preparing for fires in high risk areas.

When:

• August 1-3, 2011 site visit of Southeastern Massachusetts' highly wildfire-prone fuel type and fuel load
• February 6 – 9, 2012 training and mobilization to Cape Cod's town of Mashpee.

Why:

To train and gain experience as a qualified FPET. Town of Mashpee and Barnstable County has a highly volatile fuel type of pitch pine, scrub oak and other resin filled flora. Fuel load is dense, heavy, and thick ... often encroaches homeowners' domain.

The team developed a forest fire prevention strategy for the town and designed and left sample products for the town and county's use. Electronic copies of same were left for them to make copies for wide distribution and online posting. Recommendations how best to highlight deliverable products and electronics were made along with ideas they could incorporate into future prevention efforts.

Designed for the town ... deliverable products included: scripts for Public Service Announcements targeting the highest two forest fire causes in Mashpee ... unattended campfires and open burning; a forest fire newspaper (or other) insert; a forest fire tri-fold brochure; update to both the town and state's Open Burning permit and notice; a prevention message color sheet for the schools; a fire prevention campaign slogan and logo to help prevent human-caused forest fires for their area; a public poster depicting the present danger, the new slogan, and a message to be prepared; a Firewise.org notice information flyer; press release to area communication outlets; held a press conference;

FPET members were from state and provincial forest fire organizations: Vermont – Jim Esden, New Hampshire – Bob Boyd, Maine – Kent Nelson, Massachusetts – Roxanne Savoie, and Quebec's SOPFEU – Marie-Louise Harvey and Eloise Richard; Maine NPS – Mary Carellobigner, Team Leader from Virginia – Cindy Frenzal; Massachusetts DCR agency representative – Chief Fire Warden Dave Celino;Assist from DCR District Fire Warden – Josh Nigro and Mashpee Fire Chief George Baker

Please click here for the full FPET story.