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Drought conditions, warm temperatures, and strong winds have contributed to more than a dozen wildfires throughout Southern California . Firefighters are battling the blazes from Malibu to San Diego , while nearly one million residents have had to flee their homes. Over 1,300 homes have already been destroyed. President Bush has declared a state of emergency in seven California counties.

 

"The NVFC is wishing for the safety of the firefighters who are tirelessly working to protect Southern California , as well as the thousands of residents who have had to leave their homes," said National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) Chairman Philip C. Stittleburg. "Our hearts go out to the firefighters and individuals who have been injured or lost their homes to these devastating fires."

 

Read more about the California wildfires at FireRescue1.com.

 

Wildland/urban interface affects numerous communities across the nation. Fire Corps, a federally-funded program administered jointly by the NVFC and the International Association of Fire Chiefs, provides support for fire/EMS departments by connecting them with non-emergency community volunteers.  In a partnership with the National Fire Protection Associations’ Firewise program, Fire Corps is developing a toolkit to assist communities in combating the devastating effects of wildland fires by being fire-wise in and around homes and businesses. Launching later this fall, the materials will allow new and existing Fire Corps teams to implement the Firewise program at the local level and serve as an important resource in the prevention of wildfire disasters. The program seeks to reduce the loss of lives, property, and resources to wildland fire by building and maintaining communities in a way that is compatible with the natural surroundings. This is done by involving homeowners, community leaders, planners, developers, and others in the planning and design of a safe community before a fire starts. Stay tuned to the Fire Corps web site at http://www.firecorps.org/ for more information.