Is your property ready for wildfire season? Attend these free DNR events for tips, info
There are ways to lessen the chances of a wildfire destroying your home. The state Department of Natural Resources can show you how.
The DNR, Pierce Conservation District, local fire departments and other agencies will host a free wildfire and disaster information fair on Saturday, April 1. There will be two sessions — one in Wilkeson and one in Orting.
The first session will be 10 a.m. to noon at Wilkeson Elementary School, 640 Railroad Ave. The second session is 2-5 p.m. at the Orting Fire Department, 401 Washington Ave. SE.
Attendees can expect to hear from Buckley Fire Chief Eric Skogen and Pierce County Executive Bruce Dammeier. In the first session, DNR staff and a nearby resident will give a tour of her property, showcasing what she’s done to prepare for wildfire season.
The DNR’s Wildfire Ready Neighbors program aims to help people protect their properties from wildfires. The department works with local wildfire experts, fire departments and organizations in several counties, including Pierce, Thurston and Yakima.
The program offers a free wildfire-ready plan that residents can sign up for. It’s a list of actions people can take to protect their property, including pruning trees and managing vegetation.
Residents also can sign up for a free wildfire-ready home visit, during which an expert can give them a personalized assessment of things they can do to increase their property’s chance of surviving a wildfire.
