Home, Health, and Wildfires

We have seen a rise in wildfires as evident in the past few years. Governor Inslee sent out a press release stating he was expanding the drought emergency for nearly half of the State of Washington, including our region.

The following 24 watersheds are now added to the emergency drought declaration:
Chelan, Colville, Cowlitz, Deschutes, Elwha-Dungeness, Entiat, Grays-Elochoman, Kennedy-Goldsborough, Kettle, Lower Chehalis, Lower Skagit-Samish, Lower Yakima, Lyre-Hoko, Naches, Nooksack, Queets-Quinault, Quilcene-Snow, Skokomish-Dosewallips, Soleduc, Stillaguamish, Upper Chehalis, Upper Skagit, Wenatchee, and Willapa.

The National Significant Wildland Fire Potential Outlook report gives a report of what to expect May through September, including weather and climate outlook. It doesn’t look promising for our region.

Preparing Your Home for Wildfires

1. The National Fire Protection Association website talks about “How to Prepare Your Home for Wildfires.”  They start with what some of the primary threats to a home are and provide a Home Ignition Zone Checklist. They breakdown the Ignition Zone into three zones, Immediate, Intermediate, and Extended and provide tips for each area. You can also read more on the National Interagency Fire Center website.
2. Make sure you are prepared with adequate Fire Insurance coverage. The Insurance Information Institute provides some advice on insurance for wildfires.
3. We would like to think, “This will never happen here,” but the reality is, it can. The National Fire Protection Association has a toolkit on Wildfire Community Preparedness Day. This can also work in a neighborhood watch.
4. Be Informed. – The Ready, Set, Go Program helps residents share information, be prepared, work with local fire departments. Browse through the website and find out more with their tools and tips on being prepared.

Your Health – In 2018 we saw a significant impact to air quality due to wildfires.

1. A mixture of gases and fine particles from burning trees and other plant materials, wildfire smoke can be harmful to our health. It can burn eyes, irritate respiratory systems, and worsen chronic heart and lung diseases. Check out the CDC’s website in regards to steps to take to protect your health.
2. Eight Tips for Protecting Yourself from Breathing Wildfire Smoke. The CDC provides eight tips when the air quality is poor from wildfires.
3. AIR NOW provides some answers to FAQ’s about air quality during wildfires.
4. The EPA provides a list of answers in regards to Indoor AIR Quality and ways you can improve it. You can also find answers on improving Indoor Air Quality in this PDF by the Washington State Dept. of Health.

They are predicting another high season of wildfires this summer. Take action this summer to help prevent fires and protect yourself and your family during wildfire season. And read more on the U.S. Dept of Agriculture’s site on this season’s Fire Outlook.