WILDFIRES – Be Ready to Go!: Newest addition in the COPE Disaster Book Series for Children

The COPE disaster book series has added a new title – Wildfires, written to teach children how wildfires happen, how to be ready and prepared, and what to do in the event of a wildfire.

According to the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030), adopted at the third United Nations (UN) World Conference, children have a vital role in reducing risk, strengthening resilience, and shaping legislation to protect their communities against disasters. 

COPE is a series of beautifully illustrated books which aim to capture children’s imaginations and increase their disaster resilience. Covering natural hazards ranging from floods to earthquakes, volcanoes to cyclones, the COPE books provide coping tools and preparedness through relatable stories in a charming, educational and easy-to-understand way. 

In their latest adventure, the COPE squad flies off to Pretoria, South Africa, where they undergo intensive training by global experts on simple steps for wildfire preparedness, learning the key DRR message – BE READY TO GO! However, it is not all work and no play for the COPE squad, as they travel around South Africa experiencing the local culture, food and enjoying some fun activities before receiving reports of a wildfire in San Francisco, USA. In this dramatic situation, they have to put their disaster risk reduction skills into action, helping communities with evacuation plans, survival kits, and caring for their safety.  

Wildfires is a collaboration with the University of Pretoria, South Africa and the San Francisco Department of Public Health, with a special guest appearance from San Francisco’s very own Fire Chief Jeanine Nicholson. The World Meteorological Organization and The Hong Kong Observatory provide expert weather information as COPE’s scientific advisors.  

Dr Johan Stander, Director of Services at the Department of World Meteorological Organization, applauds COPE Wildfires, “The full value chain of wildfires is excellently articulated in this schematic book as an educational tool for all users.” 

Dr Animesh Kumar, Deputy Chief UNDRR Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, states, “The COPE booklets are great examples of the types of tools needed to generate awareness among children to become agents for enhancing disaster preparedness and resilience.”

All the COPE disaster series books, Earthquakes, Tsunamis, Floods, Cyclones, Covid-19, Storm Surges, Landslides and now Wildfires, are available online and to download for free.  

To read Wildfires: