Fire Safety Information - What YOU can do!
Wildfire Ready Neighbors
Prepare Your Property, Protect Your Neighbors
Reducing wildfire risk starts with our community. Wildfire Ready Neighbors (WRN) is a collaboration between Washington State Department of Natural Resources and local wildfire experts to help everyone in our region prepare for wildfires.
May 2024 is Wildfire Awareness Month. Read the official proclamation from Washington Gov. Jay Inslee.
WRN provides a free Wildfire Ready Plan to help you prioritize wildfire ready actions on your property and connects you with local wildfire experts in your area.
To get your free plan, visit Wildfire Ready Neighbors, email wildfireready@dnr.wa.gov or call 877-927-3239.
Firewise - Residents Reducing Wildfire Risks
NFPA's Firewise USA® program teaches people how to adapt to living with wildfire and encourages neighbors to work together and take action now to prevent losses.
For a brief overview of what you can do to help prepare you home for wildfire, please read this document from Firewise.
Defensible Space - Prepare Your Home
Each year, wildland fires consume homes in the wildland-urban interface – defined as areas where homes are built near or among lands prone to wildland fire. Studies show that as many as 80 percent of homes lost to wildland fire may have been saved if brush around the homes were cleared and defensible space created around structures. There is no better time than now to prepare and educate your family, friends and neighbors. Make sure everyone knows what to do to protect people and homes in case of fire.
- Prepare around your home. If your home is built in or near the forest, follow these steps to protect your home from wildfire. When developing your home landscaping, try planting fire-resistant plants to help reduce your risk from wildfire or try this specific to Eastern Washington Fire-Resistant Plant Guide.
- Unite with your neighbors – start a Firewise USA® Recognition site.
- Know the outdoor burning rules. DNR regulates outdoor burning on all forestlands where we provide wildfire protection. Don’t burn outdoors until you know the rules.
- Have a plan when it's time to leave - Ready, Set, Go!
Washington Firewise USA®
DNR works with local fire districts, conservation districts, counties, and WSU Extension programs to help Washington residents benefit from the Firewise USA®. Administered through the National Fire Protection Association, the Firewise USA® program encourages homeowners and communities to prepare for wildfire.
Are you prepared for a fire in your home?
Follow these recommendations to improve your own and your family’s safety:
- Post reflective street address numbers where emergency responders can see them. Not only does this make it easier for us to find your home, but it also helps us find your neighbors' homes as well. Street address signs and reflective number stickers are available at the Eastsound station and Island Hardware for a small fee.
- Make sure everyone in your household, including young children, knows your address and how to call 911 for help.
- Place fire extinguishers in easily accessible locations on every floor. Check the gauge to make sure the extinguisher is properly charged, and have them maintained once a year.
- Test smoke detectors once a month, and change batteries once a year. Exchange old 9-volt smoke alarm batteries for new ones at the Eastsound fire station.
- Practice a family emergency home exit plan. Choose a safe outdoor meeting place and make sure everyone knows the location. Then, just like we do in school, have a fire drill to practice.
Related topic in our Services section: Smoke Alarm Program.