Emergency Management

Wildfires

Wildfires are any unplanned fires that burn in forests and other wildlands, such as shrub or grass communities. Nearly 9/10 wildfires nationwide are caused by humans and could have been prevented.

Wildfires often begin unnoticed. They spread quickly, igniting brush, trees, and homes. If you live where urban development meets wildlands, or on a remote hillside, in a valley, prairie, forest or brushland where flammable vegetation is abundant, your residence could be vulnerable to wildfires.¹

Tips: Before a Wildfire

• To check the air quality in Spokane, visit the Environmental Protection Agency's AirNow NowCast tool
• Mark the entrance to your property with address signs that are clearly visible from the road.
• Keep lawns trimmed, leaves raked, and the roof / rain gutters free from debris.
• Stack firewood at least 30 feet away from your residence.
• Store flammable materials, liquids, and solvents in metal containers outside your residence at least 30 feet away from structures and wooden fences.
• Create "defensible space" by thinning trees and brush within 30 feet around your residence. Beyond 30 feet, remove dead wood, debris, and low tree branches.
• Follow Local Burning Laws
• Landscape your property with fire resistant plants and vegetation to prevent fire from spreading quickly. For example, hardwood trees are more fire-resistant than pine, eucalyptus, or fir trees.
• Make sure water sources, such as hydrants, ponds, swimming pools, and wells are accessible to the fire department.
• Use fire resistant, protective roofing and materials like stone, brick, and metal to protect your residence.
• Cover all exterior vents, attics, and eaves with metal mesh screens no larger than 6 millimeters or 1/4 inch to prevent debris from collecting and to help keep sparks out.
• Have chimneys, wood stoves, and all home heating systems inspected and cleaned annually by a certified specialist.

Foreign Language Resources

Russian // Русский

• СООБЩЕНИЕ О КАЧЕСТВЕ ВОЗДУХА В ШТАТЕ ВАШИНГТОН
• Дым от пожаров может представлять опасность для всех
• Нахождение под воздействием дыма от пожаров может вызвать или усугубить проблемы со здоровьем. СИМПТОМЫ

Spanish // español

• ÍNDICE INFORMATIVO SOBRE LA CALIDAD DEL AIRE EN WASHINGTON
• El humo de los incendios puede ser peligroso para todos
• El humo de incendios puede causar o empeorar los problemas de salud. CONOZCA LOS SÍNTOMAS

Ukrainian // український

• ПОВІДОМЛЕННЯ ПРО ЯКІСТЬ ПОВІТРЯ В ШТАТІ ВАШИНГТОН
• Дим від пожеж може бути небезпечним для будь-кого
• Вдихання диму від пожежі може спричинити проблеми зі здоров'ям або погіршити його стан. ДІЗНАЙТЕСЯ ПРО СИМПТОМИ

Vietnamese // Tiếng Việt Nam

• CỐ VẤN VỀ CHẤT LƯỢNG KHÔNG KHÍ CỦA WASHINGTON
• Khói từ các đám cháy có thể rất nguy hiểm với tất cả mọi người
• Tiếp xúc với khói từ các đám cháy có thể gây ra hoặc khiến các vấn đề về sức khỏe trở nên xấu hơn. NHẬN BIẾT CÁC TRIỆU CHỨNG

For more information on wildfire prevention, visit the following links:

• https://www.ready.gov/wildfires
• https://smokeybear.com/en
• https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/Fire-causes-and-risks/Wildfire/Firewise-USA

¹ Source: https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/20130726-1622-20490-7893/wildfiresfactsheetfinalrev2_27_07.pdf