Fire Days

Abstract

Growing up in the midwestern United States, I learned to appreciate how communities dealt with their nature-related challenges. For example, on days when the snow was expected to make driving unsafe, people who could stay off the roads were asked to do so, and by protecting themselves, they helped the community by not straining safety services or putting themselves at risk. These snow days are hardest on students, but somehow, they usually get on board with missing a day or two of school.

Besides snowstorms, similar widespread community responses are designed to address tornadoes, hurricanes, and other natural disasters. The risks these disasters pose are growing as a result of changing climates, but also as more homes are built in forested areas that are difficult to reach and may lack ready access to hydrants. Especially at the urban–wildland interface, the threat of wildfires developing from extreme drought and high winds makes me wonder if we’ll soon have “fire days,” which, similar to snow days, are meant for communities to work together to help everyone.

Community leaders need to work with critical stakeholders such as firefighters and water utilities to practice and prepare. Whether it's for wildfires, floods, or earthquakes, these groups need to work together on readiness for red flag days. They must convey the need to stay home, stay safe, stay aware of risks—or determine whether it's time to flee altogether. Community leaders must collectively brace for and respond to the large-scale forces at work against water systems and, in the extreme, our very lives.

Even under the best of conditions, it can be a struggle to help customers understand their water services and what they pay for, namely safe drinking water and adequate fire flows. In considering disasters, customers do not want to overpay for overdesign, so careful integration of local conditions and applicable standards is required. The benefits of preparation and mitigation must be clear, and those leading the effort must build trust that the decisions made now will protect them in the future.

Water professionals can help their communities prepare now, beginning by sharing new knowledge that, unfortunately, is gained with experience. Especially important is that critical stakeholders must identify and practice the approaches and actions that will prevent these disasters in the first place and keep insurance costs manageable. This means ensuring community water systems are fully funded and ready, upgraded to face new extremes and challenges, and integrated throughout their region in an all-hands-on-deck approach.

For wildfires, utilities and the communities they serve must continue to learn as much about avoiding these destructive disasters as they do about fighting them. To share your experiences and guidance on increasing utility resilience, contact me at [email protected].