Create Defensible Space Before Summer Heat Hits

While weeks away, experts say now is the time to prepare for the upcoming wildfire season.  WSU Master Gardener Al Murphy worked for the U.S. Forest Service and BLM for nearly 40 years.  He said Central Washington will most likely see an increase in wildfires in the coming years, because of the change from bunch and sage grass to cheat grass, which can be much more challenging to fight.  Murphy told the Washington Ag Network while property owners cannot control weather or topography, you can control the amount of fuels.

“But the fuels we can control the fuels around our home as well as somewhat out in the natural environment, but that’s a little more challenging out in the natural environment but around our homes, we have a lot of opportunities to change the 100 feet around our home.”

He stressed it’s vital for property owners to be proactive now, rather than waiting for the hot weather to hit.  Murphy adds it’s also important your property is easy to access for local firefighters.

“So whenever you think about it have a clear driveway well addressed and so the firetrucks can get in and out.  Think about the size of firetrucks, they are not the size of little compact car.  They are very large vehicles often with ten wheels that need a lot of space to turn around.”

Murphy said when looking immediately next to your home or any building, think Lean, Clean and Green.  Thin existing vegetation, remove dead or dying vegetation and keep the area around your home as green as possible.

For additional safety tips and ideas, Click Here.

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