REGIONAL – With the growth of population and the spread of housing up into formerly wild areas, there has been created what is now called "the wildland/urban interface."

In a letter to residents of Kerhonkson sent recently, Forest Ranger Rob Mecus and Heidi Wagner, Manager of Sam's Point, explained, "Development into forested areas has put lives, property and natural resources at risk from wildfire."

Now, a New York Firewise Council has been formed, and will be chaired by David Russel, DEC Wildfire Prevention and Education Specialist. Funding for the council was secured through a Hazard Mitigation grant, and a website is being developed now.

Rob Mecus and Heidi Wagner are members of the Firewise Council.

In June 2011, Wagner was hired on a part time basis by the National Fire Protection Association as the Northeast Firewise Advisor. She is working with Ranger Mecus on the introduction of Firewise concepts to communities at risk on the Shawangunk Ridge.

"Firewise concepts are all science based," said Heidi Wagner. "But they are also just practical things. For instance, Cragsmoor Fire Department distributes green, fluorescent signs that show the number of your house.

So, in the event of a fire emergency, they will know which house to respond to."

"If you're building a house," continued Wagner, "you should take Firewise concepts into consideration. For instance, don't build right at the edge of the cliff, or a steep slope. Because in the event of a fire, it will come up that slope very rapidly, and if your house is there, it will burn. The other thing to remember is that cinders are pushed out ahead in front of a fire, and so it is best to leave some space between the house and a slope."

"Cinders can be carried up to a mile, and I've seen photos out west, of neighborhoods that were totally burned, and they weren't even close to the fire. But the cinders reached them."

The chief period of the year for fire concern is the early spring. "Once the snow has melted," said Wagner, "and before the leaves come out, the sun can dry everything out to the point where it's just waiting for a spark."

Cragsmoor residents have now seen the new Fire Danger Sign which has gone up by the Post Office. The sign will show clearly when the danger of fire is high.

Firewise precautions include removing fuels for a fire from the areas around your home and when landscaping, avoiding plants and trees that can burn easily.

Wagner explained that there is a new program called Ready–Set–Go, to help homeowners defend their properties. Ready – means preparing for the threat.

Set – have situational awareness, know how to leave if necessary, and what to take with you.

Go! – how to evacuate the site and escape alive.

"Leave early," said Wagner. "That's been shown to be the best solution, so you don't get caught in the fire."

So far, as Wagner points out, Cragsmoor is the only Firewise community in the state of New York.

"A Firewise community comes together," said Wagner, "to deal with fire problems."

For example, Cragsmoor last year made the reduction of fuels along Circle Road its Firewise project for 2011. Funding for this was provided by the National Fire Plan grant, which was secured by the Nature Conservancy.

There will be a meeting on Saturday, January 28, 2 p.m. at the Kerhonkson Firehouse to discuss Firewise and fire safety precautions. The snow date for this meeting is February 11 at 2 p.m. at the same address.

Another meeting will be held at Walker Valley Fire house Thursday, February 2, at 7 p.m. Snow date for that meeting is February 9, 7 p.m., at the same address. For more information about Firewise, contact Heidi Wagner at Sam's Point, 647-7989 extension 101.