King County recognizes Wildfire Awareness Week, May 1-7

Wildfire Awareness Week is May 1-7, and King County’s Forestry Program is working with area fire districts and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources to raise awareness and help communities take steps to keep their homes and families safe in the event of fire.

Despite its rainy reputation, western Washington is far from immune to wildfire. Fire has always been a natural part of the Northwest’s environment and actually plays an important role in a healthy ecosystem. However, as people build homes in the forest, they find themselves in proximity to possible wildfires.

King County forester Kristi McClelland said forest fires have occurred near Carnation, North Bend, Cumberland and near east Auburn. Several of these fires took place in the fall and winter.

“Winter fires are more common than you think in our area, particularly following periods of prolonged drought and fanned by an east wind,” McClelland said.

The County’s Forestry Program is supporting wildfire prevention by helping communities in rural forested areas develop and implement community fire safety plans. Modeled after the national Firewise program, such plans prevent the loss of lives, property and resources to wildfire while encouraging forest stewardship among landowners.

King County’s first nationally recognized “Firewise Community” was the Tolt River Highlands, near Carnation. Currently, the Stillwater community near Duvall and the North Bend communities of Wilderness Rim and Sallal Meadows are all taking initial steps to make their homes and property more resistant to wildfire.

Free technical assistance for identifying and mitigating wildfire risk is available for King County residents. Contact the Forestry Program at 206-296-8042 or visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/waterandland/forestry/forestfire.aspx.

Related information    

Fire-safe landscaping

Forestry Program

King County Water and Land Resources