It’s hard to think about wildland fires after our cold and drippy spring. All the foliage is wet, lush and green and the fire danger is low. Why worry?
It takes only a few weeks of hot weather to dry out the woods. Thick undergrowth from spring rains becomes a heavy fuel load. Wildland-urban interface fires become possible and very dangerous. The thick woods and brush of the Swinomish Reservation border Shelter Bay and the trees surrounding many Shelter Bay houses are an extension of these wildlands.
Local fire departments are staffed and equipped assuming that fires will occur one at a time. Local resources, including aid from other neighboring fire departments as needed, can handle these situations.
Wildland fires can overwhelm local resources and it takes time for wildland fire crews to assemble and begin to attack the fire. Whether your house and possessions can survive during this time depends on whether you had taken some simple steps to make your house and lot fire-resistive.
Fire depends on three conditions—oxygen, heat and fuel. You can’t do anything about oxygen or hot weather but you can definitely deal with the fuel leg of the fire triangle. No fuel, no fire. Your preparations are the core of the Firewise program.
If your house is fire-resistive—no combustible plants lead to the house—
If your house is fire-resistive—non-flammable roofing, screened attic and foundation vents—
then the ignition potential is much less and your house has a much better chance of survival. Firewise landscaping isn’t bleak and ugly, and wildlife habitat may be enhanced by providing better cover for certain species. At
first glance Firewise landscaping may not look that different from the neighbor’s.
The Firewise program is voluntary and is handled in Shelter Bay by resident volunteers. No one will force you to join the program. However, many thoughtful people in Shelter Bay have taken advantage of the program. Stop off at the Shelter Bay Office and pick up some Firewise literature.
YOU could be the beneficiary.
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