July 3, 2016—Ransom Canyon, Texas—The community of Ransom Canyon has taken action to better protect their homes and properties from wildfire — making it a safer place to live. For their commitment, the city recently earned the Firewise Communities/USA distinction through the National Fire Protection Association.

A Firewise recognition ceremony was held July 3 at the Ransom Canyon Ranch House. Residents and representatives from the City of Ransom Canyon, Ransom Canyon Property Owners Association, Ransom Canyon Volunteer Fire Department and Texas A&M Forest Service attended.

“Wildfires are an annual threat in the Texas panhandle. Educating homeowners about their risks and how to reduce those risks is vital,” said Texas A&M Forest Service Wildland Urban Interface Specialist Mylea Lovell. “Through the Firewise Communities program, neighbors are able to learn, plan and work together in reducing wildfire risks at their own pace.”

Ransom Canyon is the first Texas community to receive Firewise recognition in 2016. It also is the first Recognized Firewise Community in Lubbock County. Local officials hope this recognition will help encourage other communities in the area to work together and to take ownership in protecting their homes and properties from wildfire.

“The Firewise and Ready, Set, Go! programs and the training given to the people of Ransom Canyon,  has made the community very aware of fire safety and the part everyone plays in protecting our homes and canyon,” said Bob Bellah, Ransom Canyon VFD Wildland Fire Mitigation Officer.

In order to carry the Firewise designation, the community had to request a wildfire risk assessment from Texas A&M Forest Service, form a Firewise board or committee, create a community Firewise plan, hold an annual educational event or conduct fuel mitigation/reduction projects and invest $2 per capita using volunteer hours or expenditures.

The community was able to meet the criteria to be recognized as a Firewise Community through a cooperative effort with the City of Ransom Canyon, Ransom Canyon VFD, Ransom Canyon POA and Texas A&M Forest Service.

Texas currently has 78 active Firewise Communities with 1,302 communities recognized across the nation. For more information on how your community can receive the Firewise designation, visit the Firewise Communities/USA Recognition Program website: www.firewise.org or contact your local wildland urban interface specialist: http://tfsweb.tamu.edu.  

Contacts:

Mylea Lovell, Wildland Urban Interface Specialist, (806) 892-3584, mlovell@tfs.tamu.edu

Nick Harrison, Firewise Coordinator, (817) 894-4761, nharrison@tfs.tamu.edu

Bob Bellah, Ransom Canyon Firewise Liaison, (806) 786-6379, bob_bellah@sbcglobal.net