We’ve seen the scary and saddening scenes from Southern California over the last couple of days as multiple wildfires ravaged the region. And, the concern carries over to residents here in Washington, who know just how deadly and damaging mother nature can be.
But, there are things you can do to prepare yourself, your family, and your home before the next big blaze hits. We could see certain aspects of the Southern California fires mirrored across our state, powered by strong winds and dry conditions.
“We have a little bit more of a defined wildfire season than California does,” says East Pierce Fire & Rescue Assistant Chief Bill Sandlian. “But, being prepared and learning from what we’re seeing down there is very important up here as well.”
He likens the weather we’re seeing in California to what we experience here amongst The Cascades, with the Easterly flow winds. And, says the best way to prepare and combat wildfires is to follow protocols.f
“When the evacuation alerts go out…be ready to go. Don’t stay and fight,” says the Assistant Chief.
He also acknowledges the desire to protect your home. “We understand the personal, being tied to your property and not wanting to lose it. We don’t want you to lose it either. But, we also don’t want you to get harmed or injured or killed trying to defend your property.”
Before flames threaten your home, Sandlian says keeping a clear, 30-foot defendable perimeter around your house will go a long way to helping firefighters and first responders in the event of a wildfire.
He also stresses that you should have a 72-hour “go bag” ready with enough water, snacks, clothes, medications, and essentials for at least three days.
Also, something to note: you should keep fire “fuels” away from your home. One of the main things you can do to be proactive is clear brush and debris from around your residence and off your roof.
Furthermore, experts say you shouldn’t store firewood next to your house and to clean out gutters after a storm. Trim overhanging branches and clean up after a major wind or rain event. All of which can help you prepare for and possibly prevent the worst.
“Pay attention to the weather in the spring,” says Jesse Duvall, Community Resilience Coordinator One with the Washington State Department of Natural Resources. “If it gets hot and drier earlier, you’ve got to get the work done earlier.”
He advises keeping vegetation, like branches and bushes, at least 10 feet away from the home and asks residents to clear the excess debris and foliage from under porches. Also, ensure your windows are double-paned glass for further protection.
“Wildfire preparedness is a year-round thing,” asserts Duvall. “And, it’s something we just have to be constantly paying attention to and preparing for. For us here in Western Washington, generally about June is when we’ll start seeing some of the fires start to come in. Really July is when fire season kicks off here. It depends on the year.”
Duvall also says you can maintain your home by keeping it “lean, green, and clean.” Space out your landscaping, with minimal vegetation. Limb up lower branches above the brush line. Keep the grass cut, as well as any surrounding plants hydrated and healthy.
Meanwhile, Sandlian, who actually started his career in California, echoes those sentiments. He urges folks to ready themselves in the event there’s a wildfire here in Washington.
“What we’re watching unfold in California, it’s becoming more and more regular up here in Washington state. So, take the lessons learned. Prepare now for what could happen up here in the future,” he warns.
Officials say the closest comparable for us to what’s happening in California is the 2020 Labor Day Fire that devastated Malden and Pine City.
However, experts also remind us that being in such close proximity to a major city like Seattle or Los Angeles shouldn’t deter from wildfire preparedness. Make sure to create an evacuation plan for you and your family.
One other note from officials: no matter how small a fire is, it requires resources that could be taking away from fighting a bigger blaze. Something to keep in mind in a city like Tacoma, whose Fire Department just experienced recent budget cuts.