Utah State University Extension is launching an online learning series this fall titled "Wildfire Ready Utah" to help local communities prepare for unprecedented wildfire risks. The program, organized through the Gateway & Natural Amenity Region Initiative, features a series of webinars designed to educate the public on evacuation planning, emergency response, and the evolving landscape of wildfire insurance.
Personal Evacuation and Readiness
The webinar series begins with a session focused on personal readiness. Titled "When Every Minute Counts: A Personal Wildfire Evacuation Playbook," the first session is scheduled for Sept. 23, 2026, from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM MDT. This presentation aims to help individuals prepare for fast-moving wildfire situations, specifically focusing on how to react if faced with evacuation orders ranging from one day down to 15 minutes.
Speakers for the initial session include Michele Steinberg, the Wildfire Division Director for the National Fire Protection Association; Chief Todd Lando, a Battalion Chief and Wildfire Hazard Mitigation Specialist from the Central Marin Fire Department and President of Fire Safe Marin; and Dr. Michael Pate, an expert in agricultural systems and safety. The session is intended to help residents understand evacuation routes and personal preparation requirements during rapid-onset emergencies.
Emergency Response Mechanics
The second installment of the series, scheduled for Oct. 6, 2026, from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM MDT, focuses on the mechanics of emergency management. Titled "Behind the Fire Line: How Wildfire Response Works," the session aims to bridge the gap between public perception and the reality of how emergency responders operate on the ground.
This session features first responders and emergency managers discussing the complexities of emergency management and how communities can best support mitigation efforts during a crisis. Participants include Brad Washa, an Assistant Professor of Wildland Fire Science in the Wildland Resources department; Jennifer Hansen, a Fire Prevention, Mitigation and Education Specialist with the U.S. Wildland Fire Service; and Chief Robert Hardy, the Pine Valley Fire Chief from Pine Valley, Utah.
Community Lessons and Aftermath
A third webinar, set for Oct. 27, 2026, from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM MDT, will examine the long-term consequences of fire events. The session, titled "After the Smoke Clears: Lessons Learned from Communities," will feature presentations from leaders in several small, rural Western communities that have recently been impacted by wildfires.
These presentations will highlight key lessons learned in the aftermath of fire events and what community leaders wish they had done differently. The speakers include Jessica Kirby, the County Lands and Natural Resources Director for Summit County, Utah; Travis Machalek, the City Manager of Estes Park, Colorado; Chief Clark Maughan, the Wildland Division chief for the Moab Valley Fire Protection District in Moab, Utah; and Mayor Steve Crowder of Paradise, California.
Insurance and Risk Assessment
The webinar series also addresses the financial implications of wildfire risks. On Nov. 3, 2026, from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM MST, the session "Insurance Under Fire: What Drives Wildfire Risk and Rates" will host insurance experts to discuss how the industry calculates risk and how personal and community actions can influence insurance rates and availability.
Featured speakers for this session include Utah Insurance Commissioner Jon Pike, Ethan Aumun of the American Property Casualty Insurance Association, and Laura Blaul from the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety.
Future Wildfire Trends
The final session in the series, scheduled for Nov. 17, 2026, from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM MST, will look toward the future. Titled "The Future of Wildfire & Communities," this session will feature a panel of Utah State University wildland fire experts discussing how wildfires have changed over time and what the future of community preparedness looks like.
Panelists include Dr. Larissa Yocom, Ph.D., Director of the Utah Forest Restoration Institute and Associate Professor in Wildland Resources; Dr. Cat Edgely, Ph.D., an Assistant Professor in Environment and Society who specializes in human community interactions with wildfire risk and impacts; and Dr. Scott Hotaling, Ph.D., a USU Extension Climate Resiliency Specialist and Assistant Professor in Wildland Resources.
Local Resource Context
While the USU Extension initiative focuses on community preparedness through education, local government resources provide additional tools for residents in high-risk areas. For example, Kane County provides resources related to the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) through educational videos and guides to assist with building and safety standards.
These resources include information on the WUI Code and various training videos designed to help residents understand local requirements. Additionally, the Kane County website provides links to the US Wildfire Incident Map and Information, as well as the National Weather Service Air Quality Index, to help residents monitor real-time conditions.
Program Objectives
The Wildfire Ready Utah series is an effort to address the growing challenges faced by Utah communities as they grapple with unprecedented wildfire risks. By providing access to academic experts, first responders, and community leaders, the series seeks to equip residents with the knowledge necessary to navigate both immediate emergencies and long-term community planning.
