Released April 1, 2011
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Each year fire departments respond to grass fires, brush fires and forest fires, which ends up as a direct cost to taxpayers. Mark Hansen, Michigan State University Extension wildfire specialist and co-coordinator for Michigan’s Firewise Communities Project, states that there are more than 8,000 wildfires per year in Michigan and almost all of them are due to humans being careless with fire.
Each fire run costs $700 to $1,400 per fire truck
“When we have talked to fire chiefs we have learned that the average number of wildfire runs per fire department in Michigan is around five or six,” said Hansen. “It doesn’t sound like much but when you realize that each fire run will cost the township or municipality around $700 to $1,400 per fire truck, it begins to add up. And many wildfires require more than one truck.”
While a small grass fire might be cleaned up by one fire crew quite quickly, there are many other times where the fire is already out of control by the time the fire truck arrives. Often these small grass fires move into brush and forests burning hundreds of acres and destroying homes and property.
“We’ve had fires that have resulted in millions of dollars lost, especially if you begin adding the home values into the picture,” said Hansen. “Another thing to remember is that most fire departments have fire equipment designed to work on city streets and rural roads. When the fire heads off across a field or into a forest, then the Department of Natural Resources must get involved with off-road fire vehicles, which adds a whole new layer of complexity and cost.”
April 17–23 is Wildfire Prevention Week in Michigan. We all need to do our part, not only to prevent wildfires and protect homes, but to reduce costs to local government.
“This is a good week to remind us to be careful,” said Hansen.
The Firewise Communities program encourages local solutions for wildfire safety by involving community members in protecting people and property from the risk of fire. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service and the National Fire Protection Association supports the program.
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Mighigan State University, http://www.anrcom.msu.edu/anrcom/news/item/fighting_wildfires_costs_taxpayers#When:19:05:25Z
Contact: Eileen Gianiodis, 517-432-1555, ext. 230
