Hindsight is 20/20: Zoning Changes We Should Have Made Before the Wildfire

Wildfires continue to ravage the western United States. The “wildfire season” seems to start earlier and end later each year, and that pattern will only get worse. Although proven ways to reduce loss of life and property from wildfire are well known, many communities appear to take a “let’s hope it doesn’t happen to us” approach to wildfire safety—until it happens to them. After the fact, many of the same communities move to implement the controls that could and should have been adopted much earlier. This session will cover the most effective zoning changes and emerging best practices that could be used to minimize wildfire damage throughout the West. A wildfire consultant, fire district wildfire captain, a Montana county planner, and a zoning expert will review what Rocky Mountain states are already doing and what more can be done to address this important challenge.