More than 800 people registered to attend the 2021 Wildfire Prevention Summit hosted by the Western Fire Chiefs Association (WFCA) on Tuesday, May 4, 2021. The daylong, virtual event covered three primary causes of wildfire ignitions (arson, roadside and utility infrastructure) with a focus on roadside and utility infrastructure ignitions and was scheduled during National Wildfire Awareness Month to promote dialogue and discussion around fire prevention as we head into what is expected to be another active wildfire season in the Western United States.

“This is not just a Western U.S. problem—it is affecting the entire country, and California is just the tipping point. If we don’t take aggressive action to address wildfires, they will continue and the death and devastation they cause will continue to increase over time,” says Chief Bob Roper, Policy Advisor for the WFCA. “This was a very informative event that provided national, regional and local perspectives on wildfire prevention, and I encourage everyone who was unable to attend the Wildfire Prevention Summit live to view the recorded presentations on the event website.”

Nearly two dozen fire related experts made presentations related to wildfire prevention and protection during the Summit, including representatives from the USDA Forest Service, CAL FIRE, California Public Utility Commission and Arizona Public Service. Representatives from three of California’s major utility companies – PG&E, San Diego Gas & Electric and Southern California Edison – participated in a panel discussion on Current Efforts and Challenges regarding wildfires. This panel discussion and all other presentations made during the 2021 Wildfire Prevention Summit are now available to view at https://www.wildfirepreventionsummit.com.

“We are thrilled with the turnout for the 2021 Wildfire Prevention Summit,” says Edward Goldberg, CEO of Perimeter Solutions, Platinum Sponsor for the event. “What I hope attendees took away from the day’s discussions is that there are tools available to help improve vegetation management, and that today’s preventative retardant treatments are very effective at preventing wildfire ignitions and spread. Technology continues to evolve and improve, and we look forward to offering more sessions related to fire safety in the future.”

For more information on the 2021 Wildfire Prevention Summit, visit www.wildfirepreventionsummit.com.