Are you prepared for a wildfire?

A series of meetings to address the Community Wildfire Protection Plan and Wildfire Risk Assessment being developed for San Juan County will be held this month to better understand the vulnerability of county residents, businesses, and resources to wildfire. The purpose of this plan is to

May 8, 2012 2:45 pm
A series of meetings on the San Juan Islands will address the Community Wildfire Protection Plan and Wildfire Risk Assessment being developed for San Juan County.
A series of meetings on the San Juan Islands will address the Community Wildfire Protection Plan and Wildfire Risk Assessment being developed for San Juan County.

A series of meetings to address the Community Wildfire Protection Plan and Wildfire Risk Assessment being developed for San Juan County will be held this month to better understand the vulnerability of county residents, businesses, and resources to wildfire. The purpose of this plan is to promote awareness of the countywide wildland fire hazard and propose workable solutions to reduce the wildfire risk.

The meetings are:

Friday Harbor – May 22, 5:30 p.m. at 1011 Mullis street

Waldron Island – May 23 11 a.m. at the Post Office

Orcas Island – May 23 5:30 p.m. at 45 Lavender Lane, Eastsound (meet and greet 4 – 5 p.m.)

Lopez Island – May 24 5:30 p.m. at 2228 Fisherman Bay Road

The planning committee is working on mapping the “Wildland Urban Interface” in the county, improving awareness and educating the public about wildfire risk, evaluating strategies for landowners to lessen wildfire potential, addressing areas of inadequate fire protection and recommending risk mitigation projects.

The meetings will include slideshow presentations by wildfire specialists and local personnel working to develop these plans, and allow time for a discussion of the public’s priorities for how the community can best mitigate these risks.

For more information on the Community Wildfire Protection Plan and the Wildfire Risk Assessment, contact your local Fire Department or Brad Tucker with Northwest Management, Inc. at (208) 883-4488 ext. 123.