POULSBO — Despite the wet winter, wildfire is still a serious concern — even here, west of the Cascade Mountains.
The unseasonably warm weather this past month spurred rapid growth of vegetation and spiked fire danger; already, large-scale wildfires have broken out in forests around Oso and Gold Bar.
Fire officials say communities should take action now to prepare their homes and landscapes to withstand the wildfires that could strike, and they’re partnering with other groups to host informational meetings that will help residents learn about wildland fire preparedness.
In a May 22 article by the Associated Press, state and federal fire officials expressed surprise and concern about the early start to the wildland fire season. They also noted that following the two worst wildland fire seasons in the state’s history, there is more interest in preparedness even in wetter Western Washington.
The Poulsbo Historical Society, Poulsbo Fire Department, North Kitsap Fire & Rescue, and the Suquamish Tribe are partnering to host a series of free 50-minute wildfire safety information seminars in North Kitsap. The events will include information about wildland fire behavior, how to assess one’s own home and property for wildfire resistance, identification of individual and/or neighborhood strategies that can improve wildland fire safety and steps to prepare in advance of a wildfire evacuation order. There will be drawings for door prizes at each of the meetings.
“Many people don’t realize that in wildfires, it’s not the wall of flames that engulf homes, it’s the burning embers that fly away to start spot fires. That’s what destroys most homes,” Poulsbo Fire Battalion Chief Kurt Krech said in an announcement of the seminars. Krech said this type of disaster is preventable with advance strategies that include use of non-combustible construction materials, yard and house maintenance to provide firefighters with “defensible space,” and planting of fire-resistant vegetation.
The seminars will be offered in six locations over a period of two weeks:
— 7 p.m. June 13: City Hall Chambers, 200 Moe St., Poulsbo.
— 7 p.m. June 14: House of Awakened Culture, 7235 NE Parkway, Suquamish.
— 7 p.m. June 15: Hansville Community Center, 6778 NE Buck Lane Road, Hansville.
— 7 p.m. June 20: Keyport Fire Station, 1863 NE Pacific Ave., Keyport.
— 7 p.m. June 21: Village Green Community Center, 26159 Dulay Road NE, Kingston.
— 7 p.m. June 22: Port Gamble Pavilion, Port Gamble.
For additional information, contact Poulsbo Fire Department, 360-779-3997; or North Kitsap Fire & Rescue, 360-297-3619. Find wildfire preparedness tips on the Washington Department of Natural Resources’ wildfire preparedness page or on the National Fire Protection Association’s Firewise Communities page.
