King County officials unveil region’s first wildfire risk reduction plan

KING COUNTY, Wash. — The Puget Sound region is under a heat warning right now as temperatures climb into the danger zone.

As these hot and dry conditions continue to fuel fire concerns, King County officials announced the region’s first-ever wildfire risk reduction strategy on Tuesday.

The strategy, which was put together by multiple state and local agencies, is made up of 12 recommended actions to protect people and infrastructure in the county.

“As climate change increases the odds of a devastating wildfire occurring on our side of the Cascades, we are taking immediate action to better protect people, homes and infrastructure,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. “Our experts and partners have delivered a solid set of recommendations that will strengthen our region’s wildfire resilience, response and recovery.”

Five of the 12 actions aim to strengthen emergency responses to wildfires. One action will have King County fire departments, emergency management and other partner agencies make access to wildlife response resources easier and less expensive, including earlier access to helicopters.

Experts warn there is a low, but serious risk that more frequent, small fires can grow as King County experiences hotter, drier summers due to climate change.

More than 350,000 people — about 15% of King County’s population — live in the wildland-urban interface, areas where people and infrastructure are at greater risk when wildfires occur, according to the Washington Department of Natural Resources.

Officials encourage all King County residents to sign up for ALERT King County, a regional public information and notification service offered by King County Emergency Management, at kingcounty.gov/alert.

“The risk from wildfires in our area is increasing, due in large part to the effects of climate change. Therefore, we need to become even more diligent in our preparedness and response efforts,” said Brendan McCluskey, King County Emergency Management director. “We encourage everyone, especially those in the wildland urban interface areas, to make a plan to evacuate, build a kit so you are ready when the time comes, and to stay informed of potential evacuations.”

The full wildfire risk reduction strategy and the 12 recommended actions it includes can be found at this link.

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