The landscapes and communities of Western North America face an escalating risk from extreme wildfires. This growing threat is driven in part by a changing climate—marked by hotter, drier seasons—but also by a range of compounding factors: fragmented ecosystems, a legacy of clear-cutting, the spread of invasive species, expanding development in the wildland-urban interface, and a rise in human-caused ignitions.

Yet fire is not inherently destructive. In many of these ecosystems, it is a natural and necessary force. For landscapes to remain healthy and resilient, fire must be allowed to fulfill its ecological role.

We ALL need to redefine fire’s place in the West—not as an adversary, but as a renewing force. Through science, education, and community engagement, we need to shift both the role fire plays on the land and how society understands and manages it.

Thriving communities don't happen by accident — they are built by people who care enough to learn, act, and lead. When individuals educate themselves about the challenges and opportunities their communities face, they gain the power to shape lasting, positive change. Whether it's wildfire resilience, public safety, or sustainable growth, informed citizens become catalysts for progress. No matter your role — homeowner, builder, neighbor, volunteer — your choices ripple outward. The more we each know, the stronger and more connected our communities become. Education sparks action, and action builds the kind of future we all want to live in.

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