Barton Hills Neighbors,

At the BHNA Meeting last Tuesday, we talked about the upcoming Wildfire Symposium next week on Wednesday, August 5th. The Austin Area Firewise Alliance and Mayor Watson are bringing together City, County, and State leaders for greater preparedness, responsiveness, and recovery from a major wildfire. The Symposium will underscore the essential role residents must play in protecting their homes, neighborhoods, and communities. 

The message below was shared with Alliance members for forwarding to their neighborhood association networks. I am your BHNA representative to the Alliance, and we want you to have this information. We hope you’ll be able to participate either in person or by viewing the morning sessions on TV, radio, or streamed as described below. Please don’t hesitate to let me know if you have questions.

It should be an interesting day!

Thank you for your interest in wildfire preparedness.

Robin

Begin forwarded message:

From: Austin Area Firewise Alliance <firewisealliance@gmail.com>

Subject: Wildfire Symposium Update

Date: August 1, 2026 at 7:26:43?PM CDT

To: Robin McKeever <firewisealliance@gmail.com>

All Members,

The updated Wildfire Symposium agenda and event flyer are attached, reflecting a complex program packed with expertise. If it changes again, we’ll follow up again. Please share the flyer and registration link with your neighborhood and professional networks.

The registration link:  Luma.com: https://luma.com/kuxwkc79

Afternoon breakout Track Sessions have limited space. TRACK 1:  SIZEs is now closed, but TRACKS 2-4 currently still have spaces available.

The City Council Chamber has a capacity of 200, including standing room. Overflow monitoring will be available in the lobby with TV screens. 

The morning sessions may be viewed remotely through a live broadcast on ATXN (Austin Television Network), Channel 6 for local cable providers, online via ATXN Live, and one FM radio at KAZI 88.7 FM. Note: the afternoon TRACK sessions will not be streamed or recorded.  https://www.austintexas.gov/communications/watch-atxn-live

EVENT-DAY DETAILS

Parking:  Free parking will be available only in the underground garage; on-street parking will not be free. Access the underground garage from GUADALUPE Street on the west side of the building. Bring your parking chit to the lobby for validation. Keep your validated chit to scan at the exit for the arm to lift.

8:15am:  Guests are welcome for complimentary coffee & sweets in the lobby. NOTE:  No food or beverages are allowed in the Council Chamber. Water fountains are available in the lobby, and small-sip cups and water urn will be situated in the vestibule pass-through to the Council Chamber.

Front Door Security:  Standard screening of bags placed on a treadmill with an adjacent step-through frame.

Sign-In is REQUIRED:  Name tags will have Symposium ID, allowing internal security staff and volunteers to distinguish participants from other City Hall visitors and for ease of escorting through internal security barriers.

Information tables will be hosted by the Austin Fire Department with detailed wildfire preparedness handouts.

Complimentary box lunches will be available for afternoon TRACK participants.

Special Thanks to Alliance Volunteers! We appreciate Ed Richburg, Carol Philipson, Paul Hanusa, Karen Hagedorn, and Norma Walker stepping forth to support a successful Wildfire Symposium. They represent the Firewise Communities of River Place, Jester Estates, Long Canyon, and Canyon Creek. We couldn’t do it without you! 

We look forward to seeing you there.

Robin McKeever
Board Member and Communications
Austin Area Firewise Alliance
firewisealliance@gmail.com