As northern Arizona鈥檚 dry winter gives way to a windy spring, wildfire prevention and preparedness have been top of mind for many residents of Flagstaff and other communities in the wildland-urban interface. Firefighters from local departments and the U.S. Forest Service have already been active, containing small fires and conducting prescribed burns to try to prevent a catastrophic blaze.
But a serious fire could still happen here. And if it does, do you know what to do once the flames burn out?
A new free resource, 鈥�,鈥� aims to help residents navigate the stressful and emotionally challenging aftermath of fire.
The guide was collaboratively produced by the Southwest Fire Science Consortium, the Arizona Wildfire Initiative, the Forest Stewards Guild, Northern Arizona University and Eliza Kretzmann Consulting. Molly McCormick, program manager for the Southwest Fire Science Consortium, said the impetus for creating the guide was seeing other states, like New Mexico, offer similar resources.
鈥淭here will be people in Flagstaff who read this and go, 鈥榃ow, I wish this existed two years ago or five years ago,鈥欌�� McCormick said.
The 50-page guide covers numerous topics from how to know when it鈥檚 safe to return home after an evacuation to how to access state or federal disaster assistance to how to support and mobilize neighbors. It also discusses the risks of postwildfire flooding -- an experience some Flagstaff residents are now intimately familiar with -- and provides information about the ecological recovery of burned landscapes.
鈥淲e tried to be as comprehensive as we can,鈥� McCormick said. Even as someone well-acquainted with the world of fire, she added, 鈥淚 learned things from reading it.鈥�
And although the guide emphasizes postfire recovery, McCormick also encouraged members of the public to read it before a fire occurs (or at any time). The immediate aftermath of a wildfire can be confusing and frightening, she noted, but having a plan or some advance knowledge of what to do can help mitigate that fear.
鈥淭he biggest thing is, take a few minutes to look at it,鈥� she said.
Gabe Lavine, director of the Arizona Division of Emergency Management, said in a press release, 鈥淲e鈥檒l recommend the guide to local governments, emergency managers and other officials as they navigate recovery, funding and long-term resilience efforts after a wildfire. It鈥檚 a valuable tool that empowers Arizonans to take informed action during some of their most difficult days.鈥�
The guide is available to view or download for free on the Southwest Fire Consortium鈥檚 .