Wildfire conditions expected to improve from last year

PULLMAN — Due to weather conditions, the fires this season are not expected to be as devastating as last year’s, according to a state official.

Janet Pearce, a communication manager for wildfires at the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), said greater snow pack and more rainfall this year should help prevent large wildfires from occurring. However, she also said it is difficult to predict because most fires in the state are human-caused.

“Sometimes people have farm equipment that will spark,” she said. “A little spark can start a fire off of a rock or anything like that.”

Because of such incidents, the DNR received grant money to educate communities about how to protect themselves from fires. The department partnered with firewise.org, and will conduct workshops around the state on fire safety, said Pearce.

There are many ways people can protect their homes, she said, using what are called defensible space techniques. One of these techniques includes eliminating shrubs and trees that are dense and very close to the house. She said if those catch on fire, it can not only add fuel to the fire and catch the house on fire, but it can make it unsafe for the firefighter to enter.

Keeping grass green, provided there is not a drought situation, and cut short can also protect properties from fires. Ponds and other water features on properties can serve as protection, she said. However, she also said it is best if communities work together to create defensible spaces.

“If (the home of) your neighbor catches on fire, because they didn’t have defensible space, it still puts your home in jeopardy,” she said.

Knowing local evacuation routes is also critical, said Pearce. She recommended contacting local sheriff offices or visiting their websites to find information about what to do if evacuations are called. In addition to evacuating the city, Pearce said it is important to know more than one route to get out of a neighborhood.

Taking care of campfires is also critical to the prevention of wildfires. Pearce said to put the embers from a campfire all the way out when done. She said it should be cold enough to touch.

Last year an ember from a campfire traveled more than a mile and set a warehouse in Wenatchee on fire.

Although this summer is not expected to be as destructive as last year, Pearce warned it will likely get worse in coming years.

“The last two fire seasons were very severe for us, and we’re hoping and praying that this year will be a lot easier,” she said. “But it doesn’t mean we won’t have our wildfire seasons in the future becoming worse also as the climate changes.”