Is your property at risk of wildfires? A no-cost assessment can help you find out
.jpg "The Goat Rocks Fire grew to 1,200 acres and threatened neighborhoods around Packwood in Lewis County last summer.")
Are you ready for wildfire season in Washington?
If the answer is no, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources may be able to help.
Earlier this week, DNR announced the expansion of its Wildfire Ready Neighbors, a collaborative program to prepare property owners at risk of wildfires.
“It doesn’t matter where you live, no one is immune from the danger of wildfires,” said Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz. “Last year’s Bolt Creek, Goat Rocks and Nakia Creek fires are just a few examples of recent fires that threatened homes and properties in Western Washington.”
Residents in Pierce, Thurston and Mason counties will be eligible starting this spring to request a no-cost assessment of their properties for wildfire potential, as well as to have a specific wildfire mitigation plan developed for their areas by wildfire experts. Residents can sign up for customized action plans at WildfireReady.com.
Information about local resources and contractors also will be made available for residents.
The program was first rolled out in 2021, and so far has been implemented in Chelan, Okanogan, Spokane, Yakima, Kittitas and Klickitat counties.
State lawmakers are also angling for other ways to address wildfires in Washington.
House Bill 1578, sponsored by Rep. Larry Springer, D-Kirkland, would require DNR to assess areas at high risk for wildfires every 10 years starting in 2025. Under the bill, DNR also would be responsible for creating evacuation plans in high risk areas.
The bill cleared the House unanimously on March 6, and was passed to the Senate Rules Committee on April 4.
“This is the world we’re currently living in,” Springer said in a news statement. “Our fire situation is only going to get worse if we don’t act. These steps are crucial to addressing the fallout that most affects the everyday lives of residents.”
