Wildfire Preparedness Fair returns with resources for homeowners

The annual event has expanded to 11 homeowner associations across Summit and Wasatch counties in Utah.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 8:20pm

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A sweeping, atmospheric landscape painting depicting a small, isolated cabin or structure dwarfed by towering, ominous clouds, conveying the overwhelming scale and power of the natural environment.As the Wasatch Back community braces for a potentially active wildfire season, the annual Wildfire Preparedness Fair aims to equip homeowners with the knowledge and resources to safeguard their properties.Park City Today

The Wildfire Preparedness Fair, a collaborative event sponsored by Wasatch Back homeowners associations, will return this month bigger than ever — and organizers say it's especially poignant this year. The event, scheduled for Saturday, April 25, at Ecker Hill Middle School, is hosted by 11 homeowner associations across Summit and Wasatch counties — up from seven last year. The fair will feature a panel discussion with experts, tabling by various organizations, and activities for kids to raise awareness about wildfire preparedness.

Why it matters

A record low snowpack has heightened homeowners' concerns about an active fire season in the Wasatch Back, especially as the community becomes more aware of the threat of wildfires. Recent legislation, such as House Bill 48 and House Bill 41, have also introduced new requirements for homeowners in wildland urban interface areas, making the preparedness fair a relevant resource.

The details

The Wildfire Preparedness Fair will feature a panel discussion with six experts, including representatives from insurance, fire department, climate science, forestry, and university organizations. The panel will aim to clarify the new legislative requirements and answer homeowners' questions. The event will also have 20 groups set up in the lobby to share information on home-hardening options and specific services. Organizers have made a deliberate effort to engage younger attendees, with a Girl Scouts-hosted kids station and a demonstration using biochar as chalk.

  • The Wildfire Preparedness Fair is scheduled for Saturday, April 25, 2026.
  • House Bill 48 was passed by state lawmakers last year, and House Bill 41 extended the deadline to comply with the law to January 1, 2027.

The players

Angie Kell

An organizer and member of the Glenwild Homeowners Association.

Pamela Nieroth

Part of the education and community outreach subcommittee of the wildfire committee for the Glenwild HOA.

Don Brown

Co-Chair of the Pinebrook Fire Safety Committee.

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What they’re saying

“We realized early that it really is a collective, community effort. It's not just one HOA. We abut many others in our various communities, so it really is a collective effort. We've really doubled down on that notion for this year.”

— Angie Kell, Organizer and Glenwild Homeowners Association member

“Last year, we just had some speakers kind of individually address their topics. This year, we're doing a panel discussion that … I think is going to be incredible. So it's a big step forward.”

— Pamela Nieroth, Part of the education and community outreach subcommittee of the wildfire committee for the Glenwild HOA

“I think House Bill 48, and subsequently House Bill 41, have brought an awareness that didn't exist before. It's good-intentioned legislation, but it's going to create its own set of challenges for us to address.”

— Don Brown, Co-Chair of the Pinebrook Fire Safety Committee

What’s next

The Wildfire Preparedness Fair will take place on Saturday, April 25, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Ecker Hill Middle School in Utah.

The takeaway

The expanded Wildfire Preparedness Fair is a timely and important community event, as homeowners in the Wasatch Back region face heightened concerns about an active fire season due to a record low snowpack and new legislative requirements for fire-resistant home improvements. The fair aims to provide homeowners with the information, resources, and practical solutions they need to prepare for and mitigate the risks of wildfires.