Wildfire risk is increasing in Western Washington, but your home CAN survive a wildfire. Interested in learning how you can make your home and community more wildfire resilient?
Whatcom Conservation District offers a comprehensive wildfire preparedness and education program to landowners across Whatcom County. Our services are non-regulatory, confidential, and FREE.
As of 2019, we’ve been partnering with the Skagit Conservation District to offer the same program across both counties. While each county has their unique settings and circumstances, wildfire doesn’t recognize political boundaries. The current regional Wildfire Resilience Program provides an efficient and collaborative approach to addressing wildfire risk.
Our Wildfire Resilience team has the knowledge and resources to help homeowners and communities understand their wildfire risk and feel empowered to take preparedness actions.
Meet the Team
Robert Walters
Community Wildfire Resilience Specialist
360-526-2381 x106
Alexis Bryson
Community Wildfire Resilience Technician
360-526-2381 x119
Home Risk Assessments
Homeowners play an essential role in whether or not their home will survive in a wildfire. Simple actions taken ahead of time can reduce the risk of damage or destruction to a home, provide a better chance for fire fighters to defend the home, and reduce the risk of spreading fire to neighbors.
To find out how you can improve the safety of your property from wildfire, sign up for a FREE and customized on-site assessment. With this assessment you will also receive helpful resources and a report that defines which actions to take to improve your property’s resilience to wildfires.
Community Assistance
Addressing wildfire risk to your property doesn’t have to be done alone. Working together with neighbors in your community allows for a team effort to address your shared risk. One of the best methods for addressing community wildfire risk is through the NFPA Firewise USA® Program. This program provides a framework for communities to learn about and address their wildfire risk together. Some benefits include access to wildfire professionals as well as access to grant and project funding opportunities.
A great first step for a community to begin addressing wildfire concerns is to schedule a community presentation on wildfire risk and preparedness.
You can contact our Community Wildfire Resilience Specialist directly by emailing rwalters@whatcomcd.org
Please visit our Resources section to access more information including guidance on evacuation, communication, and more.
Partnerships
Collaboration and partnerships are at the root of building community resilience to wildfire. Whether its agencies and organizations working together or neighbors working with other neighbors, wildfire adaptation is most successful when approached collaboratively. Everyone has a role to play in wildfire adaptation.
If you’d like to partner with the Whatcom Conservation District on wildfire resilience, please email our Community Wildfire Resilience Specialist at rwalters@whatcomcd.org
Events
No events at the moment
Resources
Ember Aware brochure
Ember demo video
Insurance Institute for Home Business and Safety Wildfire Page
Demystifying Insurance for Wildfires
Disastersafety.org Wildfire Ready
NFPA Wildfire Preparedness Resources
Fire Resistant Plants and Landscaping
Conifer Pruning Quick Guide
Guide to Pruning Landscaping Trees
Photo credits: Pexels on Pixabay, Landon Parenteau on Unsplash, Dean Ricciardi on Unsplash, Alexi Guddal from Whatcom CD