Wildfire Awareness Month in the San Juans held community event Saturday

Island Readiness event with DNR, Fire Depts., Conservation Dist., and more

||| FROM ANGIE REQUENA for WILDFIRE READY |||

Saturday, Orcas Island Fire & Rescue (OIFR), Washington Department of Natural Resources (WA DNR), and other local partners from across the islands hosted a community event to engage the San Juan County community to prepare for wildfire during Wildfire Awareness Month in May.

With the summer outlook forecasting above-average temperatures and below-
average precipitation in the Pacific Northwest, it’s important for residents to

ready themselves for increased wildfire risk that comes with hotter, drier
conditions.
OIFR Fire Chief Chad Kimple and Cathi Winings, forestry program manager for
the San Juan Islands Conservation District, addressed community members and
highlighted Wildfire Ready Neighbors, one of the free resources for
homeowners and renters.
Wildfire Ready Neighbors is an initiative from WA DNR that provides residents
with a free, custom wildfire ready plan with tailored tips based on property
characteristics, budget, and lifestyle. Optionally, residents in 13 counties can
receive an in-person home assessment from a local wildfire expert.
Since launching in San Juan County in 2024, more than 500 residents have

received a free action plan, many of whom are going the extra mile to get an in-
person home assessment.

“Wildfire Awareness Month is a critical time for all the islands to bind together
and prepare for wildfire. One ember can spark disaster for all of us, so we need
a united front to best fortify our wildfire defenses,” Fire Chief Kimple said. “Talk
to your neighbors or local fire department to make a plan, gather your
community for a brush cleanup, and help each other however you can. San Juan
County is only as strong against wildfire as our willingness to work together.”
During the event, SIJCD demonstrated common wildfire and ember risks and
what to do to reduce risk during a walkthrough of the home assessment on a
nearby homeowner’s property. Residents can request the same type of

assessment for free through Wildfire Ready Neighbors. Winings with the SIJCD
also provided tips on how everyone can prepare themselves and their homes.
“If I could recommend three priority actions everyone can work on in May, it’s
cleaning roofs and gutters, clearing anything combustible like mulch and
firewood from within five feet of structures, and decluttering under decks and
porches,” Cathi Winings said. “We’re here as a resource, too. Talk to us at your
conservation district or reach out to your local fire department or emergency
management. We want to hear about your goals for wildfire safety, so we can
help you achieve them.”
To-date, more than 8,100 individuals statewide have received an action plan
through Wildfire Ready Neighbors. Residents can sign up at WildfireReady.com.
To view, download and share images and videos from today’s launch event,
click here.