WASHINGTON — The Wildfire Mitigation Awards committee has announced the 2018 Wildfire Mitigation Award winners. Established in 2014, the awards are the highest commendation for innovation and leadership displayed by individuals and organizations committed to wildfire mitigation.
The Wildfire Mitigation Awards are sponsored by the National Association of State Foresters (NASF), the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and the USDA Forest Service (USFS).
Recognizing the comprehensive challenge posed by wildfires, these awards applaud the outstanding dedication to wildfire mitigation across a broad spectrum of activities and among a variety of individuals and organizations. By honoring their achievements, the award sponsors seek to increase public recognition and awareness of the value of wildfire mitigation efforts.
The winners of the 2018 national Wildfire Mitigation Awards are:
- Abby Watkins (Newaygo County Emergency Services, Michigan) (White Cloud, Michigan)
- Blue Mountain Forest Stewardship Initiative (BMFSI) (Golden, Colorado)
- Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad (Durango, Colorado)
- Grizzly Flats Fire Safe Council (Grizzly Flats, California)
- Jeff Dunning (Allstate Insurance, California) (Grass Valley, California)
- Jesse Cox (Trinity County Fire Safe Council, California) (Weaverville, California)
- Pat McKelvey (Tri-County Firesafe Working Group, Montana) (Helena, Montana)
- Project Wildfire (Deschutes County, Oregon) (Bend, Oregon)
- Rincon Fire Department (Valley Center, California)
“The 2018 Wildfire Mitigation awardees are valued partners of the nation’s state foresters and the agencies they lead, serving as key members in the nationwide effort to ensure safer and more rapid response to wildfire year-round,” said George Geissler, Oklahoma State Forester and the president of the National Association of State Foresters. “I commend the awardees for their wildfire preparedness efforts which contribute to saving lives, protecting thousands of homes, and strengthening our communities.”
“Wildland fire is as destructive and costly than ever before,” said Chief Thomas Jenkins, IAFC president and chairman of the Board. “That’s why on behalf of the IAFC I’m especially proud to congratulate this year’s National Wildfire Mitigation Award winners for their outstanding leadership and contributions to wildland fire risk reduction in their communities.”
“The National Fire Protection Association is honored to be a part of recognizing the outstanding wildfire risk reduction projects being implemented throughout the nation,” said Cathy Prudhomme, manager of NFPA’s Firewise USA™ program. “The awards are an important way to honor the recipients’ achievements and to encourage them to continue their efforts.”
“These awards are a small recognition of the very important work people are doing to help communities prepare for wildfire,” said Pam Leschak, national WUI program manager for the USDA Forest Service. “Their work helps residents, communities and firefighters live more safely with wildfire.”
Awards will be presented at the IAFC Wildland-Urban Interface Conference (WUI) in Reno, Nevada on February 28, 2018. For more information, visit: www.stateforesters.org/mitigation.
