Conservation Stories: Hilde and Horst Schaaf

Hilda Schaaf loves spending time in her front garden, which she and Horst designed with fire-resistant landscaping in mind.

“We need to take responsibility for the land we live on, and I think we all can make a difference when working together.” - Hilde and Horst Schaaf

Nestled in the reflection of Lake Louise, landowners Hilde and Horst Schaaf are hard at work building a wildfire resilient home and community.

Wildfire was hardly a concern for Hilde and Horst Schaaf until a grass fire broke out next to their Sudden Valley home in 2023. Hilde single-handedly kept the fire from spreading until the fire department arrived.

The Schaafs moved to Sudden Valley almost 30 years ago, having fallen in love with the tranquil scenery that was similar to where Hilde grew up in Germany. This community, with its inclusive school and accessible neighborhood, provided the ideal place for the Schaafs to raise their son, Mattias, who has Cerebral Palsy and mobility limitations. After their grass fire scare, she contacted her local fire department to find out what more she can do to be prepared for another disaster situation. Her family would need every spare moment in another evacuation scenario.

Hilde and Horst use the principles of fire-scaping throughout the garden, including using drought-tolerant fire-resistant vegetation, creating “vegetation islands”, and breaking up the continuity of fuels with gravel pathways.

The fire became a unifying event for the Schaaf’s neighborhood. Soon after, residents joined together to launch a “Mapping Your Neighborhood” project, an emergency preparedness program that helps communities identify local resources and create response plans. “Now we know each other much better,” Hilde shared. “We understand each other’s strengths and talents. I feel very safe and confident that in case of any disaster, we have the knowledge to help each other.”

Building on this momentum, the Sudden Valley Fire Department and community administration organized an informational presentation with the Whatcom Conservation District’s (WCD) Community Wildfire Resilience team. The meeting offered practical steps for reducing wildfire risk at home and across neighborhoods. After attending, Hilde signed up for a free, confidential, and non-regulatory wildfire home risk assessment.

“I feel much safer now that we are well informed and in communication with each other.”- Hilde and Horst Schaaf

In their home hardening efforts, Hilde and Horst hired an arborist to limb up the branches of this tree close to their house. This helped reduce ladder fuels in their intermediate zone and prevented branches from overhanging the roof of the home. The bird statues are a nice addition!

To address the risks identified around her home, Hilde and Horst took a series of home hardening actions focused on their Home Ignition Zone, the area immediately surrounding the home that’s most vulnerable during a wildfire. They hired a certified arborist to carefully prune and thin the tall cedar trees surrounding their home and removed overgrown, dry vegetation that could act as fuel in a fire. Recognizing the importance of defensible space, they replaced flammable grass and bark mulch with gravel around the perimeter of her house. Hilde and Horst also took additional precautions by moving firewood away from the home, building a fireproof shed in the backyard, and researching fire-resistant paint for nearby structures. These improvements have greatly reduced wildfire risk without compromising the natural beauty of their forested property.

Before their wildfire home risk assessment, the Schaafs had firewood stored right next to the house. After, Horst built a fire-resistant metal shed to store the wood in.

Hilde uses pottery, often of her own creations, to add color and personality to the garden.

They transformed their yard with fire-resistant landscaping designed to reduce wildfire risk while preserving the natural beauty of their surroundings. They replaced grass with gravel to create effective fire breaks and planted native, drought-tolerant species that are both fire-resistant and beneficial to local pollinators and wildlife. By carefully selecting vegetation and minimizing dense, dry growth, Hilde and Horst have created a landscape that is both beautiful and resilient—blending safety with sustainability in their forested neighborhood. The Schaaf’s home is proof that you can have all the charm and beauty of the Pacific Northwest and still follow the guidelines of the Home Ignition Zone for wildfire resilience.

Before their wildfire home risk assessment, Hilde and Horst used highly combustible bark mulch in the 5-foot immediate zone next to the house. After, they replaced it with non-combustible gravel.

Hilde and Horst’s story is just one example of how individual action can ripple outward to benefit entire communities. Their dedication to preparedness has helped spark conversations and connections among neighbors, strengthening the overall resilience of Sudden Valley.

“We were surprised how much more we can do to be prepared for and prevent a wildfire.” - Hilde and Horst Schaaf

Wildfire resilience efforts are gaining momentum in the Sudden Valley community. Since the beginning of 2024, the WCD’s Community Wildfire Resilience team has completed 167 wildfire home risk assessments across the county, including 35 in Sudden Valley alone. In partnership with local fire agencies and neighborhood groups, WCD has hosted community presentations, led hands-on demonstrations, and supported residents in working toward Firewise USA® recognition. The community also participates in regular chipping days to reduce hazardous wildfire fuels. These events not only help remove excess vegetation and tree limbs from properties but also foster stronger neighbor-to-neighbor connections as residents come together to make their neighborhood safer.

Sudden Valley has neighborhood chipping days in an effort to reduce wildfire fuels. This pile is a neighborhood effort to reduce hazardous wildfire fuel along Lake Louise.

May is Wildfire Awareness Month, and the work doesn’t end with just one day, or even one month. Now is a great time to take meaningful steps to reduce wildfire risk, both individually and alongside neighbors. One of the most effective ways to start is by signing up for a free wildfire home risk assessment. These assessments provide expert guidance on how to reduce hazards in the Home Ignition Zone and better protect your property, and in-turn your community. Visit whatcomcd.org/wildfire to learn more and schedule your assessment. 

This work is made possible by the Climate Commitment Act, which allows us to continue providing these free services to communities across Whatcom and Skagit counties.