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Living with Fire

Living with fire.

See how fire shapes communities.

Reactive
Proactive
Reactive fire management
Reactive
Vulnerable.
Unprepared.
Chaotic.
Proactive fire management
Proactive
Resilient.
Organized.
Prepared.
Before
During
After

Lack of Community Preparedness & Coordination

Communities with a reactive approach often lack comprehensive preparation. Fire safety measures may be minimal, with limited investment in prevention infrastructure.

Community Disorganization
Community Disorganization
No evacuation plan, poor emergency coordination, no fire-safe policies
Lack of Coordination
Lack of Coordination & Awareness
No communication plans or neighborhood networks
Weak Policy
Weak Policy & Inadequate Resources
Underfunded fire departments and outdated fire codes

Land & Vegetation Management

Without proper land management, communities create dangerous conditions for wildfire spread. Overgrown vegetation and lack of defensible space put structures at risk.

Overgrown Vegetation
Overgrown, Unmanaged Fuel Loads
Thick, dry undergrowth and unchecked vegetation
No Prescribed Burns
Lack of Prescribed Burns
When cultural burning practices are ignored

Infrastructure Failures

Vulnerable infrastructure makes communities susceptible to fire damage. From flammable building materials to inadequate water sources, these failures compound during fire events.

Flammable Homes
Flammable Homes & Infrastructure
Wood shingles, open vents, untreated decks
Lack of Water
Lack of Water Reserves
Empty wells and dry hydrants when fire arrives
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Community Disorganization

Communities without coordinated fire plans face chaotic evacuations and fragmented emergency responses when wildfires strike. This lack of organization leads to preventable losses and increased risk to life.

  • No evacuation routes or plans established
  • Poor coordination between emergency agencies
  • Absence of community-wide fire safety policies
  • Conflicting messages during emergencies
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Lack of Coordination & Awareness

"Fire preparation is an afterthought—until it's too late. No communication plans, no neighborhood networks, and no coordinated action leave communities exposed."

"Without a shared response strategy, evacuations are chaotic, and last-minute decisions lead to unnecessary losses."

  • Absence of neighborhood fire safety networks
  • Limited public awareness of fire risks
  • No coordinated communication systems
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