This year's persistently dry weather conditions and hot temperatures have contributed to an increased threat of wildfires, which is why Snohomish County Fire District No. 26 firefighters in Gold Bar have engaged in a community-wide wildfire safety awareness campaign known as "Defensible Space?GÇ¥
With its close proximity to Wallace Falls State Park and Reiter Foothills, District No. 26 is one of the more heavily-forested regions of Snohomish County. Wildfires, particularly those driven by wind, are incredibly destructive and can be difficult to contain.
"The only way we can protect your home is if you prepare ahead of time,GÇ¥ said Snohomish County Fire District No. 26 Chief Eric Andrews.
Coming on the heels of a relatively lush spring, the drought-like weather conditions are particularly problematic because of all the new growth that occurred earlier in the year. As things dry out, trees and plants become more and more moisture-depleted, which means they make extremely effective fuel for a wildfire.
It's the amalgamation of hot temperatures, dry conditions and excessive fuel that have resulted in heightened levels of fire risk.
"So now you have this abundance of fuel, plus the dryness,GÇ¥ Andrews said. "Throw the wind on there and it's like that perfect storm. It's just waiting to happenGÇ¥
In order to help protect homes and property in the Sky Valley, Snohomish County Fire District No. 26 Lt. Scott Coulson has been working with residents to advocate for a preemptive hazard mitigation technique known as "defensible space.GÇ¥ Any District No. 26 constituent who wishes to have a fire risk assessment done on their home can call the fire department, and Coulson or another firefighter will complete the inspection free of charge.
A research-based strategy promoted by the National Fire Protection Association, the idea behind defensible space is to reduce the amount of wildfire fuel in the "home ignition zone,GÇ¥ an area around the home that may extend up to 200 feet. The methodology divides the home ignition zone into three separate zones, which are known as Zone 1, Zone 2 and Zone 3.
The goal of defensible space is to diminish potential fuel sources in each zone.
Zone 1 encompasses the structure, along with any attachments such as decks and fences, allowing for a clearance of at least 30-feet on all sides. Plants known for high-oil, high-resin and low-moisture content, including things like pampas grass, juniper, Rosemary, Scotch broom, Spanish broom, spruce, yew trees, fir trees, Acacia, cedar and eucalyptus, should never be planted in Zone 1.
"They look nice and stuff but when they heat up they actually produce oils,GÇ¥ Andrews said. "They burn just like there's a torch blowing against your house.GÇ¥
To help prevent something like that from happening, Zone 1 should incorporate an area within five-feet of the home that is "fire-free,GÇ¥ which features non-flammable landscaping materials like stones and low-growing perennials and annuals known to have a high-moisture content.
The rest of Zone 1 can include strategically-spaced succulent-type plants from the sedum genus, plus things like California poppies, lilies, lily-of-the valley and other plants known to have a high fire resistance rating.
Stacks of wood and other flammable items like gas cans and propane tanks should never be stored in Zone 1, and combustible materials including dead leaves, branches, lawn furniture and tarps should be removed.
Zone 2 is the area that extends from 30 to 100 feet around the home in all directions, and Zone 3 extends from 100 to 200 feet from the home. Zone 1 recommendations apply to anybody, regardless of the level of fire risk in their community. Zone 2 provisions are meant to target those living in areas of moderate to high fire-hazard, while Zone 3 provisions are recommended for those living in high fire-hazard areas.
District No. 26 is also working to raise awareness of the three different evacuation levels that could occur in the event of a wildfire. Evacuation orders are issued based on the level of threat that exists to homes, lives and property, and are transmitted via various means including local media, reverse 9-1-1 calls and even door-to-door.
A Level 1 evacuation is an alert to notify residents that danger exists and that they should be cautious and mindful. Local media outlets should be monitored frequently to check for any increases in the severity of the situation. Citizens with pets or livestock should carefully consider a Level 1 alert, and start making accommodations to transfer their pets should conditions worsen.
A Level 2 alert indicates that significant risk is at hand and residents should voluntarily relocate, or "be ready to leave at a moment's notice.GÇ¥ A Level 3 evacuation order means that "danger is currently affecting your area or is imminent, and you should leave immediately.GÇ¥
Residents in the eastern areas of Washington are well-versed in evacuation orders and know what each of them mean, explained Andrews. But here on the western side of the state, wildfire is not as common. He hopes to educate the community so that should they receive an evacuation order they would know exactly what to do.
Firefighters from all over Snohomish County have been deployed to the Wenatchee area to help fight the Sleepy Hollow fire, a wind-driven wildfire that started on Sunday, June 28. In addition to fighting the wildland portion of the fire, firefighters are fighting structure fires including numerous large warehouses.
"It's always complicated when you have structures,GÇ¥ Andrews said. "But when you have major large structures with hazardous materials, it's even more complicated.GÇ¥
For more information on the "Defensible Space?GÇ¥ initiative, please visit: http://www.firewise.org/?sso=0. For more information on District No. 26, please visit: http://www.snofire26.org/. To schedule a wildland fire prevention visit, please email Lt. Coulson at: scoulson@snofire26.org.
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