WHAT

Infrastructure & Business

It’s important that we make proactive plans for business and infrastructure in our communities so they can avoid wildfire-related losses, operate through disaster, and recover quickly and efficiently. Protecting critical infrastructure, such as utility lines and water systems, is essential to community resilience and normalcy. Businesses, including our crop and timber producers, need to be adequately insured. For those businesses which rely on grazing and pastureland, there are important considerations such as grazing agreements.

Fire adaptation in the business sector also includes the creation of assets. Are there ways to utilize our biomass, support the local economy and further landscape restoration? What about ensuring local contractors have the ability to connect to the federal contracting system during wildfire response?

Business and infrastructure is woven into the fabric of our communities, no matter how big or how small. Fire adaptation includes working with utilities, businesses and infrastructure across the whole disaster cycle.

Considerations

1
Are you adequately insured? This may include loss-of-use insurance, crop or timber insurance, and/or policy riders for off-site impacts such as power loss. Talk with your insurance provider or an insurance information advocate to make sure you understand your coverage and have the information you need.
2
Have you created contingency or continuation of operations plans? Whether you are a small business or a public utility, have you planned for supply chain disruptions, service interruptions, or infrastructure impacts? Evaluate the hazards present in your area and plan for potential impacts before a wildfire.

EXPLORE Infrastructure & Business RESOURCES

  • WHO

  • WHERE

  • FORMAT

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Found 44 Results

Wildfires and Safe Drinking Water

Website / Interactive Map
Washington State Department of Health
This resource, for public water systems located in areas prone to wildfires or post-fire debris flows, helps water utilities prepare for and respond to wildfire. Contains checklists and resources as well as guidance for issuing health advisories and creating defensible space. While developed in Washington State, many resources are applicable nationwide. Read More

Wildfire Mitigation Series

Video
The Department of Energy and National Laboratories
A webinar series for utility companies to learn more about the wildfire mitigation capabilities and technologies. Read More

Wildfire Mitigation Reference Guide

Guide / Pamphlet / Handout
The North American Electric Reliability Corporation
A resource for electric utilities focused on mitigating risks from wildland fire. Contains knowledge and experience gained by western utilities on wildfire preparedness and mitigation. Read More

Wildfire Mitigation Reference Guide

Guide / Pamphlet / Handout
North American Electric Reliability Corporation
The North American Electric Reliability Corporation and Western Electricity Coordination Council “developed this document with the goal of creating more awareness across all interconnections of the knowledge and experience gained by western utilities on wildfire preparedness and mitigation. Research and development efforts by the Department of Energy (DOE) National Laboratories in partnership with electric utilities... Read More

Wildfire Mitigation Plan – Anaheim Public Utilities

Website / Interactive Map
City of Anaheim
“This [Wildfire Mitigation Plan] serves to establish methods and procedures used to construct, maintain, and operate the Utilities electrical lines and equipment to minimize the risk of wildfire posed by its infrastructure. The provisions in the Plan outline the preventative strategies and actions for fire prevention and suppression activities and specific operational response during elevated... Read More

Wildfire and the Oregon Electricity System

Guide / Pamphlet / Handout
Oregon Public Utility Commission
This resource of frequently asked questions from the Oregon Public Utility Commission provides consumers with general wildfire resources, information about service restoration, public safety power shutoffs, and the response of utilities to wildfire in Oregon. Read More

Water Sector Utility Incident Action Checklist

Guide / Pamphlet / Handout
US Environmental Protection Agency
The actions in this checklist are divided up into three “rip & run” sections and are examples of activities that water and wastewater utilities can take to: prepare for, respond to and recover from wildfires. For on-the-go convenience, you can also populate the “My Contacts” section with critical information that your utility may need during... Read More

USDA Resource Guide for Rural Workforce Development

Guide / Pamphlet / Handout
USDA Rural Development Innovation Center
This guide provides information on workforce development, federal agency programs, and other resources available through the US Department of Agriculture. The guide is a resource for communities seeking to increase capacity for landscape treatments or residential mitigation through expansion of the workforce. Read More

Template for short-term rental wildfire information packet

Graphic / Illustration
Arizona Wildfire Initiative, Northern Arizona University, Southwest Fire Science Consortium
Short-term rentals like Airbnb and VRBO are growing in number across communities. While this influx of visitors is great for local economies, many travelers may not be familiar with wildfire risk in the place where they are staying or understand how to stay informed about wildfires in that community. To address this concern, the Arizona... Read More

Small Business Development Centers

Website / Interactive Map
U.S. Small Business Administration
Find assistance and counseling in your area to start, run, or grow your business. Development centers are excellent resources for communities seeking to create resilience within the business sector. Read More
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Photo Credit: Canva Creative Commons
Community Profile
Fire Adaptation in the Field
Durango, Colorado

Wildfire Adapted Partnership, located in Southwest Colorado, works with real estate professionals in their community to help build a foundation for wildfire mitigation among new homeowners. Working with the Durango Association of Realtors, Wildfire Adapted Partnership, created a short-course for real estate professionals which both counts for a Continuing Education credit and provides critical information about wildfire and wildfire mitigation.

Photo Credit: Wildfire Adapted Partnership