2026 Wildfire Awareness Week

In February, we are recognizing Kansas Wildfire Awareness Week across the state. This public information campaign is a partnership between the Kansas Forest Service, the Kansas Division of Emergency Management, the Office of the State Fire Marshal, the Kansas State Firefighters Association, the Kansas Association of Fire Chiefs, and our Kansas partners through federal organizations; The National Weather Service, and the US Forest Service (through Cimmaron National Grassland).

Fire, weather, and emergency response agencies and organizations from across the state are encouraging Kansas residents to take part in Kansas Wildfire Awareness Week, February 8–14, to learn how working together can reduce wildfire risk across the state.

The 2026 theme, “Working Together for Wildfire Awareness – Making Kansas Stronger,” highlights how wildfire preparedness and prevention start at home and extend to neighbors, local fire departments, and state and federal partners.

More than 90 percent of wildfires in Kansas are human-caused, often resulting from escaped debris burns, dragging trailer chains, welding, equipment use, or other outdoor fires during high fire danger conditions. Wildfire Awareness Week focuses on simple actions Kansans can take to prepare, prevent, and respond to wildfires.

Homeowners are encouraged to reduce hazards around their homes by clearing dry vegetation and removing flammable materials. Neighbors and landowners can work together to reduce fuels and plan safe mitigation projects. Local fire departments, many staffed by volunteers, rely on public awareness and responsible behavior to keep communities safe.

Kansas Wildfire Awareness Week will also emphasize the importance of partnerships built before an emergency. Local, state, and federal agencies work together year-round to provide weather monitoring, training, equipment, and wildfire response support.

Day 1 – Homeowners: Preparedness Starts at Home

Your actions protect more than just your house—they help protect your neighbors and your community.

Prepare

Wildfire preparedness begins at home.
Focus on your Home Ignition Zone (HIZ): the area in and around your home where small changes can make a big difference.
Easy weekend projects:

Remove dry leaves, grass, and debris from roofs, gutters, and around foundations
Move firewood and combustible materials away from structures
Trim vegetation away from buildings and propane tanks

Take responsibility for your home—your preparation helps protect your neighbors, firefighters, and your entire community.

Prevent

Reduce the chance of a fire starting by maintaining defensible space and eliminating ignition hazards near structures.
Secure chains, clear debris from vehicles and equipment, and avoid risky activities on high fire danger days.

Respond

Have a plan before a fire happens:

Know multiple evacuation routes
Sign up for local emergency alerts
Prepare a “go kit” for your family and pets

Your readiness helps first responders focus on the fire, not last-minute rescues.

Day 2 – Neighbors Helping Neighbors

Wildfire prevention works best when neighbors work together across property lines.

Prepare

Talk with neighbors about shared risks:

Overgrown fence lines
Abandoned structures
Areas with heavy fuel buildup

Make a neighborhood plan for access, evacuation, and mutual assistance.

Prevent

Fuel reduction is a community effort.
Work with neighbors to:

Reduce hazardous vegetation
Create shared fuel breaks
Maintain roads and access points

Interested in prescribed burning?

Contact your local Prescribed Burn Association (PBA), neighbors, or a wildfire fuels specialist.
Training, planning, and partnerships make prescribed fire safer and more effective.

Respond

Check on neighbors during red flag conditions and after fire events.
Know who may need extra help—older adults, livestock owners, or those with limited mobility.
Strong communities recover faster when neighbors support each other.

Day 3 – Firefighters & Emergency Responders: Community Protection in Action

Firefighters rely on public awareness and prevention to keep communities safe.

Prepare

Kansas is largely protected by volunteer fire departments—local responders who serve their own communities.
Support your department by:

Keeping driveways clear and properly marked
Maintaining accessible water sources
Learning local fire restrictions and emergency procedures

Prevent

Over 90% of Kansas wildfires are human-caused.
Help reduce preventable fires by avoiding common ignition sources, especially on high or extreme fire danger days:

Dragging trailer chains
Welding or grinding
Escaped debris burns or burn piles
Grilling, fire pits, and outdoor flames

Follow all local regulations and burn restrictions—these protect firefighters as much as property.

Respond

When a wildfire occurs:

Follow evacuation orders immediately
Give first responders room to operate
Do not re-enter restricted areas

Your cooperation allows firefighters to work safely and efficiently.

Day 4 – Partnerships: Working Before the Emergency

The strongest wildfire response happens long before a fire starts.

Prepare

Know the resources available in your community:

Kansas Forest Service – Wildland fire program, training, equipment, aviation support, incident management, prevention education, grants
National Weather Service – Fire weather forecasts and Red Flag Warnings
K-State Mesonet – Real-time weather data
Kansas Division of Emergency Management, Office of the State Fire Marshal, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Kansas Department of Transportation – Emergency management, coordination, and recovery

Get familiar with these agencies on a good day—before you need them on your worst day.

Prevent

Coordinated planning, training, and education reduce wildfire risk statewide.
Prevention programs, fuel mitigation projects, and public outreach work best when agencies, communities, and landowners partner together.

Respond

When wildfire threatens, local, state, and federal agencies work as one team to:

Provide aviation and ground resources
Support incident management
Assist communities during response and recovery

Strong partnerships mean faster response, better communication, and safer outcomes.

Day 5 - “Making Kansas Stronger”

From your backyard to your neighborhood, from volunteer firefighters to state and federal partners—wildfire safety is a team effort.

When Kansans work together to prepare, prevent, and respond, we protect our homes, our communities, and each other.
That’s how we make Kansas stronger.