On the first Saturday in May, Wildlife Community Preparedness Day is celebrated in the United States nationally. The purpose of this holiday is to raise awareness about the potential dangers of wildfires, as well as the step that communities and individuals can take to help mitigate the risk of wildfires.

It’s also a day that advocates for everyone to be proactive when dealing with this particular natural disaster. And finally, it’s a day for communities to make sure that their local firefighters are well-funded and equipped to deal with the rise of wildfires. After all, wildfires have been on the increase over the past few decades — mainly as a consequence of global climate change.

The History Of Wildlife Community Preparedness Day

During the 1990s, devastating wildfires consumed more than 3.3 million acres and this destruction was a dramatic rise from the previous decade. This resulted in the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) establishing National Wildfire Community Preparedness Day at the beginning of the 21st century. It’s been observed every year ever since.

Some Important Facts About Wildfires

Below are some important facts about wildfires that we think everyone observing this holiday should know about. The following facts come from the latest research on the subject and should illustrate the importance of this holiday and wildfire prevention.

• Wildfires travel approximately 14 miles per hour on average. However, some wildfires can spread as fast as a football field per second.
• Approximately 33% of California’s population is at risk of wildfires.
• Between 2000 and 2020, over 7 million acres per year have been burned by wildfires.
• Over 60,000 wildfires occur every year in the United States.

Observing Wildlife Community Preparedness Day

All across the U.S., there are a variety of different activities and events that celebrate this holiday and emphasize the importance of this holiday.

These events include educational workshops, community preparedness fire drills, and demonstrations of the latest firefighting equipment and procedures. It’s also a day for people to spread the word about this holiday using the hashtag #WildlifeCommunityPreparednessDay.