2018 Wildfire Mitigation Award Winners Announced
Sponsored by the National Association of State Foresters, International Association of Fire Chiefs, NFPA, and the U.S. Forest Service, the awards are the highest commendation for innovation and leadership displayed by individuals and organizations committed to wildfire mitigation.
The 2018 Wildfire Mitigation Award winners were announced Jan. 17. Established in 2014 and sponsored by the National Association of State Foresters, International Association of Fire Chiefs, NFPA, and the U.S. Forest Service, the awards are the highest commendation for innovation and leadership displayed by individuals and organizations committed to wildfire mitigation.
The winners of the 2018 national awards are:
- Abby Watkins (Newaygo County Emergency Services, White Cloud, Mich.)
- Blue Mountain Forest Stewardship Initiative (Golden, Colo.)
- Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad (Durango, Colo.)
- Grizzly Flats Fire Safe Council (Grizzly Flats, Calif.)
- Jeff Dunning (Allstate Insurance, Grass Valley, Calif.)
- Jesse Cox (Trinity County Fire Safe Council; Weaverville, Calif.)
- Pat McKelvey (Tri-County Firesafe Working Group, Helena, Mont.)
- Project Wildfire (Deschutes County, Bend, Ore.)
- Rincon Fire Department (Valley Center, Calif.)
"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's 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 awards will be presented at the IAFC Wildland-Urban Interface Conference in Reno, Nev., on Feb. 28.