Pigeon Forge Holding Public Meeting for Firewise Program

Pigeon Forge fire officials are asking residents to help reduce wildfire risk by participating in the Firewise Communities program.

The City of Pigeon Forge Fire Department, wildfire safety experts from the National Fire Protection Association’s Firewise Communities Program and the Tennessee Division of Forestry are working together to assist Pigeon Forge residents and businesses in an effort to become nationally recognized as a Firewise community in 2017.

The Firewise USA program provides a number of proven tools and resources for homeowners and other community residents to help prepare for and reduce the risk of wildfire damage and loss.

“Other Firewise communities have demonstrated that individual efforts do make a big difference as it relates to reducing risk through preparedness,” said Pigeon Forge Fire Chief Tony Watson. “We want to educate our community, both our residents and our businesses, and encourage everyone to take an active role in making our Pigeon Forge community fire wise.”

The Pigeon Forge Firewise Public Meeting will be held 6–8 p.m. on August 22, 2017 at the LeConte Center, 2986 Teaster Lane in Pigeon Forge. Light food and drinks will be served.

“As laid out in the guidelines of the Firewise USA Program, we are going to have a public meeting to get people involved,” Watson said. “Ideally, residents and business owners will be working side-by-side with firefighters and City planners to create defensible space in and around their neighborhoods. If you have ever wanted to volunteer to make a difference in your community, we want to talk with you!”

More than 1,400 communities in the United States have dramatically lowered their risk of wildfire damage by participating in the Firewise Communities/USA® Recognition Program. Shagbark and Cobbly Nob have been recognized as Firewise Communities/USA sites since September 27, 2011.

Firewise prevention includes:

• Clearing leaves and other debris from gutters, eaves, porches and decks;
• Removing fuel, in this case vegetation and man-made structures, within three to five feet of a home’s foundation and out buildings, including garages and sheds. Any combustible should not touch a home;
• Removing dead vegetation within 30 to 100 feet of a home;
• Landscaping with native and less-flammable plants. State forestry or county extension agents have additional information on which plants are best.

Pigeon Forge community members are encouraged to learn more about the Firewise program by contacting Kevin Nunn at the PFFD at (865)-429-7381 for more information or to become involved.

Photo: Pigeon Forge Fire Department/Facebook