Wildfire Awareness Month and the Wildfire Prevention Symposium

Although we have had cool and wet weather recently, summer is right around the corner.  As temperatures rise and vegetation dries out, the risk for wildfire throughout Southern California increases. In order to help prepare the community for the increased risk, May has been designated Wildfire Awareness Month, which is dedicated to raising awareness about wildfire prevention, preparedness and mitigation.

Here’s how you can participate during Wildfire Awareness Month:

Prevent

• Establish a fire-safe zone around your home by removing flammable materials and combustible vegetation.
• Exercise caution when dealing with fire or power tools that may spark, adhere to safe practices for outdoor burning, and comply with any restrictions in place.

Prepare

• Educate yourself about wildfire risks in your area.
• Develop a wildfire preparedness plan covering evacuation and emergency supplies.
• Familiarize yourself with evacuation routes and ensure everyone at home knows what to do in case of an evacuation.
• Stay updated on wildfire conditions by signing up for emergency alerts and monitoring weather forecasts.

Mitigate

• Review your home insurance policy to guarantee proper coverage for wildfires.
• Adhere to instructions from local fire departments and emergency responders when they are working to prevent and combat wildfires.

In honor of Wildfire Awareness Month, the Irvine Ranch Conservancy (IRC) plans to help educate the public about wildfire risks to support its mission of protecting and restoring Orange County’s native lands. IRC actively participates in the Orange County Fire Watch program in collaboration with OC Parks, the City of Irvine, the City of Newport Beach and the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA). Each year, Orange County Fire Watch organizes a Wildfire Prevention Symposium that brings together experts, volunteers and residents to discuss critical wildfire awareness and prevention strategies in Orange County. Thanks to sponsors like BlazeBlockers and O’Hagin the event is free and open to the public. 

What: Wildfire Prevention Symposium

When: Saturday, May 10

Where: Irvine’s Quail Hill Community Center

This year, the Symposium will host SensoRY AI as a special guest speaker. SensoRy AI, developed by Ryan Honary, offers a remote detection system designed to predict and detect wildfires in real-time. IRC has been a long-time partner with SenroRY AI, conducting pilots and permanent deployments within the Irvine Ranch Open Space.

Additionally, throughout Wildfire Awareness Month, IRC staff and volunteers will lead a Wildfire Awareness Series, focusing on activities that highlight the relationship between wildfire and the environment. Participants can delve into topics such as fire dependency, resiliency and management of local plants like Tecate Cypress trees and the Coast Live Oak. 

• May 10 – Wildfire Awareness Series: Pyrosketchology Nature Journaling
• May 13 – Wildfire Awareness Series: Tecate Cypress Stewardship
• May 17 – Wildfire Awareness Series: Explore Your Native Garden
• May 21 – Wildfire Awareness Series: Plants Among Us
• May 30 – Wildfire Awareness Series: The Resiliency of the Coast Live Oak

Come together with IRC during Wildfire Awareness Month to enhance your understanding of wildfire risks and work towards safeguarding our native lands from the devastating impacts of wildfires.