Learning to live fire-wise is a cause for celebration in areas that are vulnerable to wildfires. Especially in this White Mountains berg, which is becoming one of the country’s next fire-adapted communities.
Bounce houses, barbecues and face-painting are hallmarks of the annual White Mountains Communities Firewise Block Party a day after the Forest Service hosted a wildfire training day.
“We are really focused on empowering people to … reduce wildfire risk through land planning,” Johnston said. “These meetings and sessions are so important because we are essentially passing them the torch.”
The idea behind the Firewise Block Party is to get young people engaged in the future of their town.
“If we can get an early start to fire-safety education, we can get a multi-generational change to our culture,” said Jim Morgan, chief of the Pinetop-Lakeside Fire Department.