The national database of state and local wildfire hazard mitigation programs
serves as a clearinghouse of information about nonfederal policies and
programs that seek to reduce the risk of loss of life and property through
the reduction of hazardous fuels on private lands. If
you would like to submit a program to the national wildfire programs database,
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Title: |
Washington State Fire Risk Mitigation Program
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Type: |
Regulatory
Homeowner assistance
Education
Designation of high risk areas
Demonstration projects
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Jurisdiction: |
State
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State: |
Washington
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Program Description: |
Washington Department of Natural Resources is the lead agency in the state for dealing with Wildland/Urban Interface fire issues. DNR's approach to mitigating wildfire risk through vegetation management focuses on identifying extreme and high risk areas, providing homeowner assistance in creating defensible space, public education, and demonstration projects. In high risk areas, some counties have enacted WUI fire prevention ordinances (on this website, see Clark County and Skagit County WA-Ordinances, and WA-Model Ordinance). Washington has created model ordinances which guide localities in adopting ordinances. Washington has been active in the field of vegetation management in WUI areas since 1984.
Mapping
In 2000, DNR completed the mapping of all extreme risk and high risk fire areas in the State, as part of its "Community Protected Forest Initiative." The goals were to complete a statewide assessment of Washington's WUI, prioritize communities at risk, and implement community-wide risk reduction plans. This assessment was used to identify Washington's high risk communities for the National Fire Plan, and to identify and prioritize fuel reduction projects for National fire plan grants received to date.
Hazardous Fuel Reduction Projects
Enactment of the National Fire Plan provided funding for fuel reduction work that allowed Washington to move its Community Protected Forest Initiative into high gear.
National Fire Plan grants and landowner sweat equity have resulted in defensible space fuel reduction, pruning and thinning around high-risk communities. Washington offers free fuels reduction work to homeowners in high-risk areas protected by DNR, including Spokane County, Stevens County, Ferry County, Pend Oreille County, Okanogan County, Clark County, Wahkiakum County, Cowlitz County, Klickatat County, Kittitas County, Lewis County, Skamania County and Thurston County. A certified arborist or forester under DNR contract, surveys the property and develops a hazard abatement/defensible space plan with the homeowner. The homeowner completes removal of home hazards. A DNR contract crew is scheduled to complete thinning and pruning to create defensible space around the home, according to the plan. Debris is chipped on site. The homeowner agrees to maintain the defensible space for at least ten years. See FirewiseFAQ for additional information.
Stewardship Incentives Program. In another move to protect entire communities, and to link communities together, DNR has begun additional fuel reduction projects on Non-Industrial Private Forest Lands, (NIPF). Services include creating a stewardship plan, defensible space around the home, pruning, thinning, and debris disposal necessary to create a shaded fuel break around the private forest. Eligible Landowners must have at least twenty acres of forestland, or multiple owners who own a total of twenty forested acres. The lands must be located within a high-risk area, and have an approved stewardship forest plan. Funds are provided on a cost share basis, and the landowner must maintain the defensible space, and shaded fuel break for at least ten years.
Demonstration Projects
DNR has completed three demonstrator homes in Southwest Washington. The work done was to create defensible space around an existing home, accompanied by a media event on local television and newspapers. This has always resulted in numerous requests for information.
- Fire Resistant Landscape Guide
- in 1990 DNR commissioned a directory of Pacific Northwest landscaping plants with the University of Washington School of Horticulture. This list has been the basis for the landscaping demonstration projects in Spokane and Olympia, and is included in several defensible space publications distributed in the Pacific Northwest.
- Fire resistant landscaping projects
- DNR commissioned two demonstration sites. The first is near Spokane at fire district three; the second is in Olympia at fire district three.
Public Education
Public education about the dangers of wildland fire and steps homeowners can take to protect themselves is an important component of Washington's program to mitigate fire hazards. Several websites are available for public information, including Firewise in Washington, which informs landowners about DNR's free program to create defensible space, provides a phone number and a link to schedule a property assessment, and is a public bulletin board for upcoming Firewise information meetings. The website also links to the Firewise Website. More information on fire prevention programs is available at Washington's Fire Prevention Program, and tips on Making Your Home Firesafe can also be found.
Teacher Resources
Washington has developed a teacher resource curriculum for grades K-3 regarding fire safety and featuring Smokey Bear. Teachers who use the curriculum receive Smokey Bear posters for the classroom, and when all K-3 classes in a school complete the program, Smokey Bear visits the school in person. See this Curriculum website for information.
Contact Information
For more information, contact Rex Reed by email at [email protected].
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