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We all careWildland fires can occur in residential development areas without disastrous loss of life, property and resources. But, recognizing the problem and knowing how to protect your family, home, property and your neighborhood before a fire happens, are the first steps to successfully becoming truly “firewise.”
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May 2018 firewise event
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By Ellis Thomson
Western Washington has historically seen less wildfires and consequently less fire prevention tactics than its neighbors to the east.
The west has less exposure to the dry wood and blazing temperatures common in the east yet, the threat of wildfire is a statewide problem.
“We are having more fires right now,” Rich Dodd said “They are earlier and becoming larger over time.” Dodd is the wildfire district manager of the Northwest region for the Department of Natural Resources.
The dry conditions, steep slopes and steady winds of Whatcom County place certain portions of it within wildfire eligibility.
Now, with firefighters battling flames in the east as early as April, and a new wildfire threat brewing in the west, resources are running low.
“When I’m trying to fight fire in Western Washington, that means I also have crews over in Eastern Washington supporting the statewide effort,” Dodd said. “When fire season gets here, our resources are normally minimal. We do good, but we don’t have a lot of people in the woodwork and people need to know that.”
High risk areas include Lummi Island, Sudden Valley, Maple Falls and Chuckanut Ridge — any heavily forested areas, South Whatcom Fire Authority Chief Dave Ralston said.
“Most likely, we are not going to have the resources to handle more than a couple of houses at once.” Ralston said. “Then really, it’s going to be a situation where we try and determine the direction of the fire and get people notified, so they can evacuate.”
On Aug. 1, 2017, a wildfire caught on Chuckanut Mountain in the young forest above Larrabee State Park and burned roughly 48 acres. When it was put out, the flames were less than half a mile away from the nearest residence, David Way, Natural Areas Recreation manager of the Northwest region, said.
Whatcom County has not yet seen a large wildfire this summer.
“We have not had very many fires yet,” Ralston said. “It’s still fairly early. Our wildfire season in Whatcom County is usually beginning around now and lasts through August and September.”
This year, the Department of Natural Resources placed three firefighting helicopters west of the Cascades to reduce the wildfire response time in Western Washington. One of the helicopters is in Mount Vernon, significantly closer to Whatcom County than the previous closest site in Ellensburg.
“We have a helicopter now in the Northwest region that’s been a big asset that we hadn’t had for the past 10 years,” Dodd said. “Being sited in Mount Vernon reduces the dispatch time to Bellingham in half, so we are getting better responses to those fires.”
Even with these extra tools, those tasked with putting out wildfires and mitigating its likelihood often find themselves facing lofty challenges without enough resources to meet them.
“Realistically, I don’t think we have enough resources to be able to drive a firetruck to every house that’s adjacent to a moving wildland fire,” Dodd said. “I think that’s what a lot of people picture.”
Programs like Firewise, a national wildfire mitigation group, are endorsed by the Department of Natural Resources as means to treat the root of this problem.
The program forms committees with residents of high-risk areas to foster wildfire prevention education. There are a total of five programs in Whatcom County, according to a Whatcom County Council Agenda Bill.
“We have committees within Whatcom County that have gone and done some preparation mitigating the low-hanging fuels,” Ralston said. “Clearing away brush to try to create a defensible space so if wildfires do occur, they have the best chance of survival.”
A Firewise community in Maple Falls was awarded a $15,000 fuel mitigation grant by the DOA for its efforts. “People around here have always been worried about leaving fires unattended,” Sandra Wade, president of the Paradise Lakes Firewise Association, said. “This year we had people starting to pile their branches again. It wasn’t even an advertised thing. They just picked up and did it.”
The program, based out of Paradise Lakes Country Club, managed to clear the brush, branches and other potential fire hazards surrounding 250 homes on the property.
Western Washington has historically seen less wildfires and consequently less fire prevention tactics than its neighbors to the east.
The west has less exposure to the dry wood and blazing temperatures common in the east yet, the threat of wildfire is a statewide problem.
“We are having more fires right now,” Rich Dodd said “They are earlier and becoming larger over time.” Dodd is the wildfire district manager of the Northwest region for the Department of Natural Resources.
The dry conditions, steep slopes and steady winds of Whatcom County place certain portions of it within wildfire eligibility.
Now, with firefighters battling flames in the east as early as April, and a new wildfire threat brewing in the west, resources are running low.
“When I’m trying to fight fire in Western Washington, that means I also have crews over in Eastern Washington supporting the statewide effort,” Dodd said. “When fire season gets here, our resources are normally minimal. We do good, but we don’t have a lot of people in the woodwork and people need to know that.”
High risk areas include Lummi Island, Sudden Valley, Maple Falls and Chuckanut Ridge — any heavily forested areas, South Whatcom Fire Authority Chief Dave Ralston said.
“Most likely, we are not going to have the resources to handle more than a couple of houses at once.” Ralston said. “Then really, it’s going to be a situation where we try and determine the direction of the fire and get people notified, so they can evacuate.”
On Aug. 1, 2017, a wildfire caught on Chuckanut Mountain in the young forest above Larrabee State Park and burned roughly 48 acres. When it was put out, the flames were less than half a mile away from the nearest residence, David Way, Natural Areas Recreation manager of the Northwest region, said.
Whatcom County has not yet seen a large wildfire this summer.
“We have not had very many fires yet,” Ralston said. “It’s still fairly early. Our wildfire season in Whatcom County is usually beginning around now and lasts through August and September.”
This year, the Department of Natural Resources placed three firefighting helicopters west of the Cascades to reduce the wildfire response time in Western Washington. One of the helicopters is in Mount Vernon, significantly closer to Whatcom County than the previous closest site in Ellensburg.
“We have a helicopter now in the Northwest region that’s been a big asset that we hadn’t had for the past 10 years,” Dodd said. “Being sited in Mount Vernon reduces the dispatch time to Bellingham in half, so we are getting better responses to those fires.”
Even with these extra tools, those tasked with putting out wildfires and mitigating its likelihood often find themselves facing lofty challenges without enough resources to meet them.
“Realistically, I don’t think we have enough resources to be able to drive a firetruck to every house that’s adjacent to a moving wildland fire,” Dodd said. “I think that’s what a lot of people picture.”
Programs like Firewise, a national wildfire mitigation group, are endorsed by the Department of Natural Resources as means to treat the root of this problem.
The program forms committees with residents of high-risk areas to foster wildfire prevention education. There are a total of five programs in Whatcom County, according to a Whatcom County Council Agenda Bill.
“We have committees within Whatcom County that have gone and done some preparation mitigating the low-hanging fuels,” Ralston said. “Clearing away brush to try to create a defensible space so if wildfires do occur, they have the best chance of survival.”
A Firewise community in Maple Falls was awarded a $15,000 fuel mitigation grant by the DOA for its efforts. “People around here have always been worried about leaving fires unattended,” Sandra Wade, president of the Paradise Lakes Firewise Association, said. “This year we had people starting to pile their branches again. It wasn’t even an advertised thing. They just picked up and did it.”
The program, based out of Paradise Lakes Country Club, managed to clear the brush, branches and other potential fire hazards surrounding 250 homes on the property.
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All Firewise USA® new and renewal applicants are required to invest the equivalent of one volunteer hour (valued at $24.14 per dwelling unit), in wildfire risk reduction efforts annually, as part of the national recognition program’s criteria for obtaining/maintaining an “In Good Standing” status.
Wildfire safety tips
Safety tip sheet and infographic - Wildland fire safety tip sheetBy working together, residents can make their own property — and their neighborhood — much safer from wildfire.
Download the tip sheet.
7 Ways Residents Can Reduce Wildfire RiskDownload our free wildfire safety infographic with seven tips for residents to help protect their homes in an event of a wildfire. Please link the infographic to www.firewise.org.
Download the infographic.
Resources
Michele Steinberg of NFPA’s Wildland Fire Operations Division provides seven tips to help keep homes from igniting in a wildfire.
During the time a wildfire is in your area…
Safety tip sheet and infographic - Wildland fire safety tip sheetBy working together, residents can make their own property — and their neighborhood — much safer from wildfire.
Download the tip sheet.
7 Ways Residents Can Reduce Wildfire RiskDownload our free wildfire safety infographic with seven tips for residents to help protect their homes in an event of a wildfire. Please link the infographic to www.firewise.org.
Download the infographic.
Resources
- IBHS/NFPA Wildfire Research Fact sheets on roofs decks, attics and crawl spaces and fencing
- Clear leaves and other debris from gutters, eaves, porches and decks. This prevents embers from igniting your home.
- Remove dead vegetation and other items from under your deck or porch, and within 10 feet of the house. Learn more about the basics of defensible space on the Firewise website.
- Screen or box-in areas below patios and decks with wire mesh to prevent debris and combustible materials from accumulating.
- Remove flammable materials (firewood stacks, propane tanks) within 30 feet of your home’s foundation and outbuildings, including garages and sheds. If it can catch fire, don’t let it touch your house, deck or porch.
- Wildfire can spread to tree tops. Prune trees so the lowest branches are 6 to 10 feet from the ground.
- Keep your lawn hydrated and maintained. If it is brown, cut it down to reduce fire intensity. Dry grass and shrubs are fuel for wildfire.
- Don’t let debris and lawn cuttings linger. Dispose of these items quickly to reduce fuel for fire.
- Inspect shingles or roof tiles. Replace or repair those that are loose or missing to prevent ember penetration.
- Cover exterior attic vents with metal wire mesh no larger than 1/8 inch to prevent sparks from entering the home.
- Enclose under-eave and soffit vents or screens with metal mesh to prevent ember entry.
- Learn more about how to protect your home and property at www.firewise.org.
- Assemble an emergency supply kit and place it in a safe spot. Remember to include important documents, medications and personal identification.
- Develop an emergency evacuation plan and practice it with everyone in your home.
- Plan two ways out of your neighborhood and designate a meeting place.
- Learn more about emergency preparedness planning on NFPA’s emergency planning webpage.
- Contact your local planning/zoning office to find out if your home is in a high wildfire risk area, and if there are specific local or county ordinances you should be following.
- If you are part of a homeowner association, work with them to identify regulations that incorporate proven preparedness landscaping, home design and building material use.
- Talk to your local fire department about how to prepare, when to evacuate, and the response you and your neighbors can expect in the event of a wildfire.
- Learn about wildfire risk reduction efforts, including how land management agencies use prescribed fire to manage local landscapes.
- Learn how you can make a positive difference in your community.
Michele Steinberg of NFPA’s Wildland Fire Operations Division provides seven tips to help keep homes from igniting in a wildfire.
During the time a wildfire is in your area…
- Stay aware of the latest news and updates from your local media and fire department. Get your family, home and pets prepared to evacuate.
- Place your emergency supply kit and other valuables in your vehicle.
- Move patio or deck furniture, cushions, door mats and potted plants in wooden containers either indoors or as far away from the home, shed and garage as possible.
- Close and protect your home’s openings, including attic and basement doors and vents, windows, garage doors and pet doors to prevent embers from penetrating your home.
- Connect garden hoses and fill any pools, hot tubs, garbage cans, tubs, or other large containers with water. Firefighters have been known to use the hoses to put out fires on rooftops.
- Leave as early as possible, before you’re told to evacuate. Do not linger once evacuation orders have been given. Promptly leaving your home and neighborhood clears roads for firefighters to get equipment in place to fight the fire, and helps ensure residents’ safety.
- Continue to listen to news updates for information about the fire. Return home only when authorities say it is safe.
- Visit FEMA/Ready.gov for more information regarding wildfire after an emergency.
New resource features checklist to track individual home ignition zone accomplishments
Get detailed information in our new Reducing Wildfire Risks in the Home Ignition Zone foldout poster that will assist in planning your wildfire risk reduction projects. The format includes detailed actions that all residents with a wildfire risk should complete at their home. Learn about ignition resistant building materials and construction techniques, along with vegetation and debris removal and how each can be impacted during a wildfire.
The easy-to-follow checklist identifies tasks that increase a home’s potential survivability when exposed to embers and/or a surface fire. Use the checklist to track individual accomplishments within the Immediate, Intermediate and Extended home ignition zones and make entries that denote when they were completed and will need to be repeated.
Order a poster today for both yourself and your neighbors and work together to prepare your homes and landscapes for when wildfires happen. Posters are available as an individual single-unit, or packaged in bundles of 25 for larger outreach events. Both are available through the NFPA online catalog.
Get detailed information in our new Reducing Wildfire Risks in the Home Ignition Zone foldout poster that will assist in planning your wildfire risk reduction projects. The format includes detailed actions that all residents with a wildfire risk should complete at their home. Learn about ignition resistant building materials and construction techniques, along with vegetation and debris removal and how each can be impacted during a wildfire.
The easy-to-follow checklist identifies tasks that increase a home’s potential survivability when exposed to embers and/or a surface fire. Use the checklist to track individual accomplishments within the Immediate, Intermediate and Extended home ignition zones and make entries that denote when they were completed and will need to be repeated.
Order a poster today for both yourself and your neighbors and work together to prepare your homes and landscapes for when wildfires happen. Posters are available as an individual single-unit, or packaged in bundles of 25 for larger outreach events. Both are available through the NFPA online catalog.
Wildfire Fact Sheet: "FIRE SPREAD ON EMBER-IGNITED DECKS"
The first Wildfire Research Fact Sheet in the five-part 2018 series produced by IBHS and NFPA’s Firewise USA program was released today. It can be accessed through our Fire Break blog at:
https://community.nfpa.org/community/fire-break/blog/2018/04/25/2018-wildfire-research-fact-sheet-series-begins-with-fire-spread-on-ember-ignited-decks
and at:
https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/By-topic/Wildfire/Firewise-USA/Firewise-USA-Resources/Research-Fact-Sheet-Series.
https://community.nfpa.org/community/fire-break/blog/2018/04/25/2018-wildfire-research-fact-sheet-series-begins-with-fire-spread-on-ember-ignited-decks
and at:
https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/By-topic/Wildfire/Firewise-USA/Firewise-USA-Resources/Research-Fact-Sheet-Series.
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Are You Prepared?
How we plan and manage evacuations of communities in the path of wildfire was discussed in a packed room at the WUI 2018 Conference last week. I have been a part of many conference sessions over the years and it was refreshing to see an audience so engaged and eager to explore an issue. The passion is there because it’s about people’s lives.
From the panel, Daniel Gorham, of the NFPA Research Foundation, presented the recently released, “e-Sanctuary” report that describes a novel framework for modeling wildfire urban evacuations. Dan explained how the report synthesizes the complex forecasting tools of fire spread, human behavior, and vehicle traffic modeling to illustrate how an evacuation would unfold in a given area throughout a risk. A tool that can combine these models is seen as a way to help communities identify challenges to evacuation, before smoke is in the air. Boise Fire Department Capt. Jerry McAdams and Austin Fire Department Capt. Josh Anderson brought a implementing prospective to the room, explained the realities of evacuation from the department prospective, public perceptions, and municipal planning. Chief Dave Driscoll, CAL FIRE, Ret., who moderated the panel discussion, got the room thinking about evacuation and how we plan for it as an event. He explained that an evacuation is a formula of time, distance, and volume of people, which can occur with spontaneous, immediate, or planned methods. It was great to see a room consider his question of when is something an evacuation and when is it a rescue. If it’s the latter, fire departments do evacuations every day, but how do they train for them? Fire service members from California shared their challenges seen in evacuations from recent wildfires and asked whether a model framework can anticipate the public panic of human behavior in the moment. It is a good point to raise and the hope of any model is to identify community risks and reduce their impacts at time of evacuation, regardless of timing. The good test of a conference session is if the audience wants it to go long, and they did, with the 20 minutes of audience discussion allotted spilling over 10 minutes more into the break. The issue of evacuation is a great challenge to residents and the fire service alike. Read more about the “e-Sanctuary” report and share your thoughts on what is missing from our current understanding of community evacuation, especially when smoke is in the air. |
How Meteorologists Help with Preparedness
In the world of wildfire risk reduction, it seems like we are always looking for another way to engage with our target audience - those residents living in or near the WUI. At the StormCenter Live Conference in San Antonio on March 3rd, I had the opportunity to speak to individuals that may prove to be useful partners in sharing wildfire messaging, broadcast meteorologists. These folks are trusted by their communities and have the ability to reach hundreds to thousands of people at one time.
Developed by broadcast meteorologist, for meteorologists, the conference is an opportunity to share the latest developments in forecasting, safety preparedness, extreme weather science, and best practices when dealing with extreme weather. Its mission is "to create content that educates, informs, prevent and alleviates human suffering in the face of extreme weather and disasters by mobilizing the power of media and working in partnerships with communities to create a more informed public." What an awesome idea! I presented on the wildland fire issue - statistics from the last year and the shift we are seeing with fire as a year round event. I also focused on the relationship between embers and how homes burn, and steps people can take to reduce their risk. My goal was to expose the attendees to resources, tips, and tools they can share when forecasting conditions that influence wildland fire behavior. In my previous work at a state forestry agency, we reached out to the major new channels before our typical fire season, but I'm not sure how much we tied in wildfire preparedness and mitigation to weather forecasts. Looking back, I wish we had pursued those opportunities more. We know that small actions in the HIZ can make a big difference. With a captive audience, meteorologists have a unique ability to slip in gentle reminders to "cut that grass" or "clean out those gutters" prior to a weather event, helping residents reduce the opportunity for embers to find a fuel source on or against their home. |
You can write your own wildfire safety success story by participating in Wildfire Community Preparedness Day.
One such story highlights the great work that was done in Lacey Township, New Jersey. Andrew Casteneli, Fire Prevention Officer, Forked River Fire Company shared their story with us; “A big thank you on behalf of the Forked River Fire Company, the Pheasant Run Fire wise committee and the residents of Lacey Township, New Jersey. This year's Wildfire Community Preparedness Day was a big success due in part to the grant given to us by the NFPA and State Farm. We had over 60 residents participate in hazard mitigation, education, and clean-up activities over the weekend. Many of the residents were new to the program and were extremely enthusiastic about participating.”
You can make your plan today to participate in this larger story of wildfire risk reduction nationwide and internationally. Here’s how you can get started;
It really is simple, easy and can be fun to get started. Don’t worry this next wildfire season. Get prepared now to create a safer home and neighborhood. You can be a part of something bigger by writing your very own story of success!
One such story highlights the great work that was done in Lacey Township, New Jersey. Andrew Casteneli, Fire Prevention Officer, Forked River Fire Company shared their story with us; “A big thank you on behalf of the Forked River Fire Company, the Pheasant Run Fire wise committee and the residents of Lacey Township, New Jersey. This year's Wildfire Community Preparedness Day was a big success due in part to the grant given to us by the NFPA and State Farm. We had over 60 residents participate in hazard mitigation, education, and clean-up activities over the weekend. Many of the residents were new to the program and were extremely enthusiastic about participating.”
You can make your plan today to participate in this larger story of wildfire risk reduction nationwide and internationally. Here’s how you can get started;
- Go to the Wildfire Community Preparedness Day site and read about other community stories of success.
- Take a look at your areas of greatest risk. Include local fire districts or land management agencies. What can you do in one day to get started reducing your risk of loss?
- Write a plan and apply for your share of $500. This is where you decide what you need to do to create your own success story.
- Invite others to participate. Use the free online mapping application or downloadable, fillable flyer to promote what you are doing and invite neighbors to work together.
- Participate on the day!
- Share your success on the Firewise Facebook page or with your local media using the press template on the Wildfire Community Preparedness Day page.
It really is simple, easy and can be fun to get started. Don’t worry this next wildfire season. Get prepared now to create a safer home and neighborhood. You can be a part of something bigger by writing your very own story of success!
The political challenges of enacting wildfire measures on display in Colorado
In preparing to write the cover story, “Build. Burn. Repeat?,” for the latest issue of NFPA Journal, I tried to find answers to a basic question: Why, when faced with indisputable risks and potentially devastating outcomes, do some wildfire-prone communities enact policies to prepare for and reduce the risk, while others seem to ignore the risks entirely? Even in cases where wildfire had just recently destroyed large portions of whole towns, many leaders choose to do nothing to stop it from happening again.
I asked around NFPA’s Wildfire Division and was pointed to El Paso County, Colorado. In back-to-back years the most destructive wildfires in state history lay waste to portions of the county—first 2012’s Waldo Canyon Fire in Colorado Springs, which burned 347 homes; then 2013’s Black Forest Fire, which burned about 500 homes just 20 miles away. The response from local leaders in the aftermath of these events have been very different. Why?
This case study came out of conversations with Colorado Springs Fire Marshal Brett Lacey and others in the area, and I think it sheds some light on the political, cultural, and economic forces that local officials are up against when they try to enact smart building practices to mitigate wildfire's impact. These challenges seem to be common across the nation for wildfire safety advocates in the crusade to protect more homes from burning.
Read: Miles Apart, Worlds Away How the post-fire stories of Colorado Springs and El Paso County illustrate the political challenges of enacting community wildfire mitigation measures
In preparing to write the cover story, “Build. Burn. Repeat?,” for the latest issue of NFPA Journal, I tried to find answers to a basic question: Why, when faced with indisputable risks and potentially devastating outcomes, do some wildfire-prone communities enact policies to prepare for and reduce the risk, while others seem to ignore the risks entirely? Even in cases where wildfire had just recently destroyed large portions of whole towns, many leaders choose to do nothing to stop it from happening again.
I asked around NFPA’s Wildfire Division and was pointed to El Paso County, Colorado. In back-to-back years the most destructive wildfires in state history lay waste to portions of the county—first 2012’s Waldo Canyon Fire in Colorado Springs, which burned 347 homes; then 2013’s Black Forest Fire, which burned about 500 homes just 20 miles away. The response from local leaders in the aftermath of these events have been very different. Why?
This case study came out of conversations with Colorado Springs Fire Marshal Brett Lacey and others in the area, and I think it sheds some light on the political, cultural, and economic forces that local officials are up against when they try to enact smart building practices to mitigate wildfire's impact. These challenges seem to be common across the nation for wildfire safety advocates in the crusade to protect more homes from burning.
Read: Miles Apart, Worlds Away How the post-fire stories of Colorado Springs and El Paso County illustrate the political challenges of enacting community wildfire mitigation measures
As residents at risk from wildfires continue to search for options that will help protect their homes when threatened, the final 2017 edition of the five-part Wildfire Research Fact Sheet series produced by the National Fire Protection Association's (NFPA) Firewise USA™ program and the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), provides information on coatings that will assist in their quest for information.
The November fact sheet outlines the use of coatings and includes: product types, application requirements and performance limitations. (http://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/By-topic/Wildfire/Firewise-USA/Firewise-USA-Resources/Research-Fact-Sheet-Series )
Given the current performance limitations of coatings, the research recommends other proven mitigation strategies to reduce vulnerabilities of homes to wildfire, such as using ember-resistant design features and creating and maintaining the home ignition zones. (http://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/By-topic/Wildfire/Firewise-USA/The-ember-threat-and-the-home-ignition-zone )
If you missed the earlier editions in the fact sheets series, they’re a must-read on the latest research topics which include: Roofing; Decks; Fencing and Attic and Crawl Space Vents.
The November fact sheet outlines the use of coatings and includes: product types, application requirements and performance limitations. (http://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/By-topic/Wildfire/Firewise-USA/Firewise-USA-Resources/Research-Fact-Sheet-Series )
Given the current performance limitations of coatings, the research recommends other proven mitigation strategies to reduce vulnerabilities of homes to wildfire, such as using ember-resistant design features and creating and maintaining the home ignition zones. (http://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/By-topic/Wildfire/Firewise-USA/The-ember-threat-and-the-home-ignition-zone )
If you missed the earlier editions in the fact sheets series, they’re a must-read on the latest research topics which include: Roofing; Decks; Fencing and Attic and Crawl Space Vents.
September is FEMA's National Preparedness Month and is a good time to revisit your family’s evacuation plan in the event of a wildfire. Being prepared before a wildfire disaster can help keep everyone in your family safer. One family member often overlooked is the family pet.
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Taking simple steps to prepare pets for an evacuation can make it easier for everyone else. Some steps that you can take to make the process easier for your pet are:
Focusing on your pet can help remind you what your two-legged family members will need as well, and can help make emergency planning engaging for children. |
A coveted award presented by Wayne Chaudiere and Fire Chief Jerry DeBruin, District #14., held by President Sandra Wade.
The Board of Trustees gladly accept this partnership award and sign in recognition of our work with the FIREWISE group. From left to right: Pamala Lutley, Wayne Chaudiere, Chief DeBruin, Sandra Wade, Ross Kennedy, Ron Meyers, Lisa Thompson, and Yvonne Bourne. 
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