MEDIA ADVISORY
April 9, 2012
Wildfire Awareness Week is May 6 - 12
Focus on campfire safety
OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is inviting the public to join in Wildfire Awareness Week activities. The 2012 Wildfire Awareness Week, May 6 -12, is focusing on Smokey Bear’s message, “Only You Can Prevent Wildfires.”
In celebration of Wildfire Awareness Week, DNR’s Volunteer and Wildfire Prevention Programs are starting a new partnership with the goal of helping to reduce campfire related wildfires.
Some hand tools and gloves will be provided and on site volunteer training on how to assess campfire pits.
| Who: | Everyone is invited; no RSVP necessary. |
What: | Wildfire Awareness Week - April 21 through May 6, 2012. Volunteers will be asked to visit campgrounds, clean out designated fire pits in preparation for the start of the new recreation season, and complete a basic assessment of each pit. |
When/Where: | April 21 Capitol State Forest: meet at Margaret McKenny Campground
April 21 Tahuya State Forest: meet at Oak Patch off Elfendahl Road
April 28 Lake Spokane: Spokane Lake Campground
April 29 Ahtanum State Forest: meet at Ahtanum Campground
May 6 Blanchard Forest: meet at Blanchard Forest Block Upper Trailhead |
Why:
| Over the past four years, there have been nearly 700 wildfires that resulted from negligent campers leaving their fire pit smoldering and unattended. Another 100 campers left campfires burning without first making sure it was fully extinguished. Fortunately, those were reported and put out before they escaped. |
For information, contact:
Christine Redmond, Statewide Volunteer Program Coordinator
360-902-1632 or
christine.redmond@dnr.wa.gov Directions and web link:
For directions for a specific event, contact Christine Redmond.
Twitter feed
Calling all Smokey Bear helpers. It’s the pits…that need your help! http://1.usa.gov/68qoJ
DNR’s wildfire mission
Administered by Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark, DNR is responsible for preventing and fighting wildfires on 12.7 million acres of private, state and tribal-owned forestlands. DNR is the state's largest on-call fire department, with over 1,000 employees trained and available to be dispatched to fires as needed. During fire season, this includes over 700 DNR employees who have other permanent jobs with the agency and about 400 seasonal workers. Additionally, Department of Corrections adult offenders and Department of Social and Health Services-Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration juvenile offenders participate in the DNR correctional camps program. DNR also participates in Washington's coordinated interagency approach to firefighting.
Media Contact: Janet Pearce, Community Outreach and Education, 360-902-1122, janet.pearce@dnr.wa.gov
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