May 30, 2000

Our unusually hot, dry and windy weather is increasing concern over wildfires. And government agencies are trying, once again, to raise public awareness about the dangers.

Environment Specialist John Hollenhorst reports.

It's estimated that 40 million people now live in the foothills, alongside undeveloped areas, where wildfires can roar through vegetation and right up to people's houses.

Fire experts have been sounding the alarm for years, and now one Utah community is winning national attention for doing something about it.

As if we needed to be reminded how bad wildfires can be, here's the latest IMAX movie premiering in Utah this weekend. It's called "Wildfire: Feel The Heat."

Numerous fire agencies will be on hand at the premiere to highlight the danger and show off their equipment.

And they'll be giving an award to property owners around Sundance Ski Resort. This is the kind of place where expensive homes are nearly hidden in the glorious beauty that made people want to live here. There hasn't been a serious wildfire here in a century because fire has been aggressively stamped out. And now, dream homes are almost almost submerged in wildfire fuel.

Kathy Hammons/Property Owner: "BECAUSE THERE HAS BEEN NO NATURAL CLEANUP FOR OVER 100 YEARS, WE KNOW THERE WILL BE AN EVENT. AND BECAUSE WE HAVE ONE WAY IN AND ONE WAY OUT, THAT WE COULD LOSE LIVES AND PROPERTY."

Two years ago, property owners mobilized, prompted by Sundance owner Robert Redford. They formed a comittee and got to work. First step: replacing wood shingles with metal roofs.

Vicki Brandes/Property Owner: "WE'VE TAKEN OUR HEAD OUT OF THE SAND, SO TO SPEAK, AND WE'RE BEGINNING TO BE PRO-ACTIVE IN CREATING A FIREWISE LANDSCAPING."

They began clearing brush and dead wood. Lots of it. And they took down trees that were too close to houses. They're creating firebreaks distant from homes, at critical spots in the woods.

In other communities, property owners have resisted such ideas, fearing they will damage the scenery. But around Sundance, experts helped devise vegetation schemes that preserve beauty but discourage fire.

Kathy Hammons: "WE NOW HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF HOW WE CAN DO BOTH, THAT WE CAN ENJOY THIS INCREDIBLE VISTA AND STILL BE AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE."

They'll be getting a national Smokey Bear award at the premiere of the film Thursday night, and government agencies hope their efforts will become a model for other communities.