FireWise

Firewise

In response to the concern that the wildfire danger may be greater this year due to our drier winter, KCCD is offering a cost-share in the Spring and Fall this year.

Recognizing the need to prepare Kittitas County for the possibility of wildfires, the District, along with Kittitas County, and Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and local Fire Districts are working together to educate landowners in the County. One of the tools we use it the FIREWISE program.

FIREWISE is a program sponsored by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG). Members of the NWCG are responsible for wildland fire management in the United States. They represent the USDA-Forest Service, the Department of Interior, the National Association of State Foresters, the U.S. Fire Administration and the National Fire Protection Association. The NWCG's Wildland/Urban Interface Working Team directs the FIREWISE program. In Washington State, the program is administered through the Washington State Department of Natural Resources. "The national Firewise Communities program is a multi-agency effort designed to reach beyond the fire service by involving homeowners, community leaders, planners, developers, and others in the effort to protect people, property, and natural resources from the risk of wildland fire - before a fire starts. The Firewise Communities approach emphasizes community responsibility for planning in the design of a safe community as well as effective emergency response, and individual responsibility for safer home construction and design, landscaping, and maintenance."

KCCD offers a free home risk assessment to help landowners recognize wildland/urban interface fire hazards in addition to incorporating Firewise planning into existing and developing homesites and communities. every year KCCD also offers cost-share opportunities for landowners to make improvements suggested by these assessments. Call us at (509) 025-8585 ext 4 for more information or email Suzanne.

Firewise Communities/USA

Attendees of the Firewise Workshop at Wagon Wheel Community (Teanaway)

Troy Jackson (Fire District 7) and Thembi Borras (Borras Forestry Services) answer questions regarding Fire safety and Firewise

The “FIREWISE Communities USA” program enables communities in all parts of the United States to achieve a high level of protection against wildland/urban interface fire, as well as sustainable ecosystem balance. The program adapts especially well to small communities, developments and residential associations of all types. FIREWISE Communities USA incorporates efforts of homeowners, communities, federal and state agencies, and tribes. It includes landscaping, home construction and design, community planning, forest and land management. Currently, there are 44 recognized Firewise Communities in Washington State and many others across the state working toward the same goal. For information on the FIREWISE Communities in Washington, please visit http://www.firewise.org/usa/index.htm

List of Private Vendors Available for Firewise Projects

References to individual companies do not imply endorsement or discrimination by the Kittitas County Conservation District. This is not a complete list of all companies that are available to provide products and services in Kittitas County. Please call the office if you want your business to be listed here.

County Wildfire Protection Plan

In 2008, KCCD was asked to lead the efforts on the development of a County-wide Fire Protection Plan. With the help of the Kittitas County Fire Protection Committee and other cooperating entities, the plan was completed and officially signed in 2009. Click here to view the document (it is a very large document and may take additional time to download)