Woodward, Okla. — When wildfires threaten homes, firefighters work hard to protect them.

But there are some things that homeowners can do to help make those firefighters' job easier.

That will be the focus of a free Rural/Urban Interface seminar sponsored by Woodward County fire departments at 7 p.m. on May 2 in the seminar room at High Plains Technology Center.

One of the goals of the workshop will be to "help people establish boundaries between combustible vegetation and their homes and other structures," said Woodward Assistant Fire Chief Todd Finley, who will be leading the seminar.

"Also it helps promote the use of fire retardant building materials, such as composition shingles instead of wooden ones," Finley said.

The seminar will also share other fire safety issues associated with the threat of wildfires on residential areas, he said, including "how to establish multiple ways out of a neighborhood."

The seminar is designed to benefit people who live "where rural and urban areas meet," such as those who live on the fringes of city limits, Finley said.

However, he said, "it can benefit anybody that has any wildland around them, including those out in the country."

"We want people to help protect themselves and their property," Finley said.  "With the fires in Midwest City and Harrah, there was so much destruction and devastation and we want to educate people on how to protect their homes better so those types of incidents don't happen here."

There have been plenty of close calls recently, including a grass fire that threatened homes on the west side of Woodward on April 3.

"We've been very fortunate with the large fires so far; we've only lost one structure, an old milk barn," Finley said.  "But we feel like it's only a matter of time before neighborhoods could become involved in fire, especially if we don't get some rain soon."

That is one of the reasons that Finley said county fire departments are wanting to hold the Rural/Urban Interface seminar soon.

"This being the height of fire season and the height of the drought, we feel there's a big need right now," he said, noting the seminar "is something we can do to be proactive."

"The ultimate goal is to protect people in the county and surrounding areas," Finley said.

That is why the seminar will also include "other firefighters from the area," he said.

People living around Sharon or Mooreland might have different needs or concerns from those in Woodward, he said, "so we'll have representatives from those fire departments on hand as well."

These firefighters will play a role during a question and answer session that will wrap up the May 2 seminar.

The seminar is slated to last about an hour to an hour and a half, Finley said, but noted "we will stay as late as wee need to, to make sure everybody's questions are answered."

Also slated to attend the seminar will be retired Oklahoma City fire chief John Hansen.

Finley said he is excited to welcome Hansen to participate in the seminar because "he has a lot of years of experience dealing with major disasters."  Hansen was even Oklahoma City's assistant fire chief in 1995 when the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building was bombed.

"He has a lot of firsthand knowledge that is useful," Finley said of Hansen, adding "he is also very active and proactive in fire training."

The public is welcomed and encouraged to attend the Rural/Urban Interface seminar, no registration is required.

"It is open to the public and free, all they have to do is just show up," Finley said, noting "we will try to have refreshments available."

Because the seminar is about helping people know how to better protect themselves and their homes, Finley said he is looking to get the word out to as many people as possible.

"If any organization needs a speaker, like the Lions Club or Rotary, I'd be more than happy to give them the same presentation, but the condensed version of course," he said.

For more information or to schedule Finley as a speaker, contact him at 254-8574.