Last October, more than 40 people lost their lives in a rash of Northern California wildfires that burned more than 245,000 acres. In December, wildfires near Los Angeles forced more than 230,000 people to evacuate their homes. Idaho, Oregon, Montana, and Utah also experienced large fires in 2017, making it a particularly devastating year for out-of-control blazes.
It may not be possible to prevent all wildfires, but it is possible to prepare for them and to mitigate their effects, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), which is partnering with State Farm® to help people enhance their safety through the fifth annual national Wildfire Community Preparedness Day, on May 5, 2018.