Saturday Is Wildfire Community Preparedness Day In Washington

WASHINGTON — Saturday is an important day in Washington and across the United States, as residents around the nation are encouraged to take steps to limit the risk of fire spread on their property before the dry days of summer.

In Washington, preventative steps may prove especially important this year, on the heels of an unusually dry March and April. As reported by the Skagit Valley Herald this week, parts of the Pacific Northwest have already hit "abnormally dry" drought conditions, despite an above-normal snowpack.

While large wildfires are typically less likely west of the Cascades, they do occur, like fires in Pierce County last September that burned hundreds of acres and destroyed several homes. Legislation passed in Olympia this year authorized hundreds of millions in forest restoration and wildfire prevention efforts in the coming years, along with adding dozens of firefighters to the state's roster.

To minimize the chance for tragedies, every resident can play a role and help minimize the pathways for flames to spread. King County shared a graphic to illustrate a few ways to create "survivable space" around properties, by trimming trees and vegetation and reducing other potential fuels.

Other wildfire preparedness tips include:

• Clean roofs and gutters of dead leaves, debris and pine needles that could catch embers.
• Trim branches that overhang your home, porch and deck, and prune branches of large trees.
• Move any flammable material away from wall exteriors – mulch, flammable plants, leaves and needles, firewood piles – anything that can burn.
• Remove anything stored underneath decks or porches.
• Use fire-resistive construction materials on your home.
• Develop, discuss and practice an emergency action plan with everyone in your home.
• Ensure your home has legible and clearly marked address numbers.

Learn more about Wildfire Community Preparedness Day on the National Fire Protection Association's website.