Fire Department

Wildfire Prevention

What is Wildland Fuels Reduction?

Wildland Fuels Reduction involves removing excess vegetation to reduce wildfire risk and improve forest health. By thinning conifers smaller than 8 inches in diameter, forests become more resilient, lowering fire intensity and flame height. The process targets a 12-20 foot spacing between conifers, pruning remaining trees up to 10 feet. Cut materials are chipped or masticated and spread out to decompose naturally.

The Spokane Fire Department estimates that about 3,500 of the City’s 12,000 acres of public-owned lands need immediate treatment, with maintenance planned every 10-15 years. Partnering with the Washington Department of Natural Resources and City Urban Forestry, we have treated over 1500 acres with Fire Fuels Reduction.

In April 2024, the department received $1.875 million through the US Forest Service’s Community Wildfire Defense Grant (CWDG) program, including a $1.5 million grant and a 25% local match. Although a second grant has not been awarded, we are diligently working for another grant to do more fuels reduction.

Over the last couple years, work has been focused on Palisades Park, the Bluff on South Hill, and Beacon/Minnehaha Park. These areas treated have been primarily city-owned. Homeowners are also offered assistance through Home Ignition Zone assessments, Firewise programs, and landowner referrals.

In 2025, the Spokane Fire Department joined the Spokane County Wildfire Mitigation Coalition (SCWMC), a collaborative effort to expand county-wide fuel reduction through shared resources and large-scale grants. We are making great progress towards a safer Spokane County.

Treatment Areas

View a map of planned, in-progress, and completed wildland fuel reduction areas:

• 
•