Every year, hotter and drier conditions are increasing the threat of wildfire west of the Cascades. That’s why Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz, along with Thurston County residents and fire and conservation districts, are introducing the Wildfire Ready Neighbors program in Thurston County.

 

Wildfire Ready Neighbors is a collaborative effort between the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR), community members, home preparedness experts, regional fire and conservation districts, and other partners to better prepare those most at risk during wildfire season.

 

Wildfire Ready Neighbors connects residents with experts and tools to help them take proactive action – from small steps to large – to better protect their homes and surrounding property from wildfire. At an Earth Day event on Saturday, April 22, Commissioner Franz was joined by West Thurston Fire Chief Robbie Smith as well as Thurston Conservation District Executive Director Sarah Moorehead to mark the arrival of Wildfire Ready Neighbors in Thurston County. The group gathered at a property in south Thurston County’s Bordeaux Ranch Community that was in the direct path of 2020’s Mima Road Fire, which burned 268 acres.

 

“The native grassland prairie that makes this area of our state so unique and beautiful is also why this area is at a high risk for wildfire,” Commissioner Franz said. “Each community has its own wildfire risks, but Wildfire Ready Neighbors helps everyone become wildfire-ready by recommending immediate actions – both large and small – for residents to prepare their homes and properties.”

 

Wildfire Ready Neighbors builds upon existing efforts to encourage community engagement with renters, homeowners, and landowners. Across Washington, Wildfire Ready Neighbors is bringing communities together to take collective action by:

Thurston residents can sign up now at wildfireready.dnr.wa.gov to receive a free customized action plan and request a no-cost home consultation where a wildfire expert will visit their property and develop a detailed action plan for wildfire preparedness.

 

Wildfire Ready Neighbors was founded in 2021 and has since launched in six Eastern Washington counties including Chelan, Okanogan, Spokane, Yakima, Kittitas and Klickitat County, and launched in Pierce, Mason and Thurston County this spring. To date, more than 4,000 residents across the state have signed up to receive their free, custom action plan and have pledged to take over 20,000 actions to prepare their homes and property for wildfire.

 

Last summer, DNR responded to 377 wildfires in Western Washington, with 127 (33%) of those fires burning in its South Puget Sound Region, which includes Thurston County. Wildfire Ready Neighbors is launching this spring so residents can prepare before the onset of wildfire season.

 

“The Bordeaux community fire and Scatter Creek Fire were recent, large fires that threatened homes and properties in Thurston County,” said Commissioner Franz. “Wildfire is frightening and preparation can be daunting, but everyone can take steps to make their home and their neighborhood more resilient in the face of wildfire. The time to take action is now.”

 

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Communications Manager

360-902-1000