The loss of lives, homes and businesses in recent wildfires across California, Arizona, and Colorado and in many other states around the country serves as a sobering reminder of the destructive effects of wildfire. It is not a matter of if a wildfires strikes an area, but when, and many residents are looking for more information about what they can do to reduce their risk when the next wildfire burns.

The National Fire Protection Association's (NFPA) bi-annual Backyards & Beyond Wildland Fire Education Conference is a great place for community leaders, researchers, insurance professionals, emergency responders, homeowners, and others involved in wildfire safety and preparedness to share their knowledge and best practices on key wildfire issues that they can then take back to their communities and workplace.

At the NFPA’s 2013 "Backyards & Beyond" conference in Salt Lake City, nearly 300 participants attended more than 50 breakout sessions in five different tracks that touched on everything from defensible space and volunteerism to community planning and evacuation. Some of the top names in the industry also provided insight into many of the most talked about wildfire issues today including climate change, wildfire policies and practices, insurance, and the environment.

Visit the conference website for more information.