EUREKA, California, May 4, 2017 – To raise awareness on how everyone can do their part to prevent unwanted wildfires from threatening our communities, the Six Rivers National Forest has joined forces with Humboldt County, CAL FIRE, and local fire agencies and community organizations to develop and publish the second edition of Living with Wildfire in Northwestern California just in time for Wildfire Awareness Week. In California, Wildfire Awareness Week is recognized May 7 through May 13.

The free Living with Wildfire magazine, which contains helpful fire prevention, awareness and safety information for local residents and forest visitors, is available at all Six Rivers’ offices—Gasquet, Orleans, Willow Creek, Mad River, and Eureka. The publication will be distributed by forest fire prevention staff to businesses throughout our forest area and Highway 101 communities, from Crescent City to Garberville. Living with Wildfire is also available online at https://go.usa.gov/x5dJJ.

In addition to raising awareness about wildfires, Wildfire Awareness Week highlights the need for federal, state and local governments to continue working with community organizations to create fire-adapted communities that can withstand a wildfire without the loss of life or property.

Mike Minton, interagency fire chief for the forest and Redwood National Park, said, “We must always implement safe and effective risk-based decisions. The safety of the public and firefighters is heightened if we all commit to take a life first approach when managing wildfires.”

As the Six Rivers continues its commitment to restoring forest resiliency from the effects of wildfires, everyone is encouraged to take a moment this week to consider the following:

• Is the location where I live and work prepared for a wildfire? If not, what do I need to do and how do I get involved to better prepare my property and my community in the event of a wildfire?
• Do I have an evacuation plan in the event of a wildfire?
• What fire safety steps do I need to take during my next recreational trip to public lands?
• Have I taken all safety precautions and mitigated all potential escape opportunities while piling burning on my property?

For help in answering any of these questions or others, fire management staff are available at any Six Rivers National Forest office during Wildfire Awareness Week.

For more information about Wildfire Awareness Week or Living with Wildfire in Northwestern California, contact Fire Prevention Officer Robert Rivelle at (707) 498-1761 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

For additional information on preventing wildfires and protecting communities, visit www.preventwildfireca.org/.