Fire officials encourage early home preparation ahead of wildfire season

LEAVENWORTH — As unseasonably warm winter conditions persist, local fire officials are encouraging residents to prepare themselves for another severe wildfire season, including taking steps to protect their homes and neighborhoods.

According to Chelan County Fire District 3 (CCFD 3) Deputy Chief and Fire Marshal Mike Smith, if conditions continue as they are, the area could potentially see “another record-breaking season” for fuel moisture, which could result in fast and large fire growth. Additionally, the fire season could start earlier and end later, said Lake Wenatchee Fire and Rescue (LWFR) Deputy Chief of Operations Steve Foley.

“I would encourage people to start thinking ahead a little bit and making sure that whatever work they do is a little bit earlier than expected, so that they can get fuels off the ground and make for a safer community,” said Foley.

Officials stressed that burn piles should be completed sooner rather than later. Both Smith and Foley anticipate the burn ban will go into effect earlier than the typical June 1 date due to conditions. Even now, officials warn that precautions should be taken, such as maintaining a shovel and water on hand and monitoring the fire at all times.

“We have already had an escaped burn pile in Cashmere that we responded to on a mutual aid fire,” said Smith.

Before fire season is in full force, officials recommend homeowners focus on reducing fuels around their homes and creating defensible space. This work can not only make homes more resilient to fire, but also give firefighters more space to defend them, said Smith.

“As each individual homeowner is able to complete the defensible space around their home and their neighbor does, we start to see a whole fire-adapted community, which is ultimately what we want,” said Smith.

Smith pointed to the Suncrest Fire as an example of how defensible communities can affect a wildfire’s outcome. The fire burned several hundred acres but caused no damage to homes, according to the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center.

“I can't stress enough that it really was that community effort and the personal efforts of each property owner that kept their home safe,” said Smith.

Wildfire preparedness standards recommend starting with a noncombustible zone within the first five feet of your home—what Living with Fire calls the “Ember-Resistant Zone.” This critical zone should be cleared of vegetation, vehicles, and other combustible materials. Homes can be further protected against ember ignition, such as having a Class A fire-resistant roof, cleared metal gutters, ember-resistant vents, and clear space under elevated decks.

“The leading cause of homes being lost to wildfire is ignition by embers, so creating defensible spaces around homes is a huge priority,” said Foley.

The next five to 30 feet surrounding your home is also a significant area for creating defensible space. This “Lean, Clean and Green Zone” should be clear of dead vegetation and debris and maintain adequate spacing between shrubs and trees. The vulnerability of attached and detached structures, such as porches or sheds, should also be examined. From 30 to 100 feet from the home, potential fire fuels should be minimized to reduce fire spread and restrict fire movement.

Fire officials emphasized that residents do not have to tackle wildfire preparation alone, noting that several local programs offer assistance. Neighbors can also make collective improvements, expanding their resources and impact.

“Fire doesn't really respect property lines so much as it does fuel,” said Foley. “Around here, we get some pretty good winds, and those embers really cast miles away. So we have to work together to make sure that we have a community that can survive, not just individual properties.”

Both fire districts offer free home assessments, seasonal wood chipping services, and online resources for wildfire and emergency preparedness. Cascadia Conservation District, a local partner of the districts, can also assist with providing fuels reduction services, sourcing financial assistance, and offering guidance. More information can be found on the websites of LWFR, CCFD 3 and Cascadia Conservation District.

Taylor Caldwell: 509-433-7276 or taylor@ward.media