Draft Community Wildfire Protection Plan Ready For Review

The Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management has released a draft of its inaugural Community Wildfire Protection Plan, seeking public input until July 30. This comprehensive plan, developed with input from over 50 partners and more than 1,000 public comments, aims to enhance wildfire preparedness and improve forest health. It identifies 33 objectives and 70 strategies, including guidelines for reducing combustible brush and improving fire resistance in homes. County Executive Dave Somers urged residents to review the plan and understand their wildfire risks. The urgency of the plan is underscored by recent events, such as the 2022 Bolt Creek Fire, which scorched nearly 15,000 acres.

The plan utilizes geospatial analysis to pinpoint high-risk areas where homes coexist with forestlands. Roughly 130,000 residents live in these vulnerable zones, making community involvement crucial. The plan can be reviewed at www. bit. ly/SnoCo_CWPP.