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On May 8, 2021, Irvine Ranch Conservancy (IRC) hosted the first virtual Fire Watch Symposium live on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks Facebook and YouTube pages, coinciding with California “Wildfire Awareness Week.” The virtual Symposium shared information about the upcoming fire season and the steps being taken by agencies and organizations to prepare for potential wildfires in Orange County.
“In these COVID times, the Fire Watch Symposium had a slightly different format than the previous years and our normal activities,” said Tony Pointer, Irvine Ranch Conservancy’s Fire Watch Manager. “This year, the symposium was presented virtually on IRC’s YouTube channel and Facebook page, making it easy for the public to attend the symposium from the comfort of their own home.”
The virtual Fire Watch Symposium was attended by 125 participants this year, including Fire Watch volunteers and members of the public. Presentations were given by Orange County Fire Watch partners including IRC Fire Watch Manager Tony Pointer, OC Parks Ranger Zachary Salazar, Orange County Fire Authority’s (OCFA) Chief Brian Fennessy, National Weather Service Meteorologist Alex Tardy, Wildland Resource Planner Dave Erickson, Assistant Fire Marshall Nick Pivaroff, and Wildfire Photographer Stuart Palley.
As shared during the symposium, there have been 24 Santa Ana wind events since September 2020, which is slightly above average. With little rain this year and the summer months around the corner, the 2021 wildfire season could start earlier than normal. Fire Watch volunteers will undergo training as early as June and will have eyes on the ground, as well as virtually with real-time SCE Alert Wildfire Cameras this wildfire season.
“Our partners, OC Parks, City of Irvine, City of Newport Beach and OCFA, are a pivotal part of the success of the Fire Watch program,” said Pointer. “We all work together as a team to protect our native wildlands from potential wildfire danger and provide our Fire Watch volunteers with the tools needed to be as prepared as possible during Red Flag Warning events.”
The Orange County Fire Watch program is facilitated in partnership with OC Parks, City of Irvine, City of Newport Beach, Irvine Ranch Conservancy and OCFA. The volunteer program is managed by Irvine Ranch Conservancy staff, and its mission is to reduce catastrophic wildfires through education, early reporting and deterrence.
The virtual Fire Watch Symposium is available for on demand viewing on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks YouTube page. For more information about the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks and the Fire Watch program, visit LetsGoOutside.org.
Irvine Ranch Conservancy
Irvine Ranch Conservancy is a non-profit, non-advocacy organization created in 2005 to help preserve and support the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks, enhancing the public’s connection to the land while helping partners and landowners with all aspects of stewardship. The Conservancy offers a variety of free, guided outdoor programs for all nature enthusiasts including hiking, mountain biking, horse-back riding and much more. For more information, visit www.letsgooutside.org.
Laura Lanzi
PR & Marketing Specialist
Photo Credit: Irvine Ranch Conservancy
