Wildfire Readiness
Some of the largest recorded wildfires in Washington state history have occurred in North Central Washington. These include the 2020 Cold Springs Fire, the 2015 North Star Fire, and the 2014 Carlton Complex Fire. Our region is experiencing rapid change, partly due to these large and often severe wildfire events and partly due to the effects of climate change.
Chelan County has a Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP), which represents the efforts and cooperation of many organizations and agencies working together to improve preparedness for wildfire events while reducing risk factors. The last plan was prepared in 2018, and the Chelan County’s Department of Natural Resources has initiated work to update this plan.
The planning work involves all cities in Chelan County, the Cascadia Conservation District, all local fire districts, the Chumstick Wildfire Stewardship Coalition, the US Forest Service, other federal agencies, and the Washington Department of Natural Resources.
The Fire Safety Group has made significant strides in enhancing the county’s preparedness and resilience. Two key achievements include:
- Updates to the Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP)
- Updates to the Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP)
A chief focus this year was the recognition of smoke as a significant hazard, successfully integrating it into both the HMP and CWPP. This achievement was made possible through:
● Valuable input from the Fire and Safety Workgroup
● Insights gathered from 288 community responses to the Wildfire Readiness survey
As a result, smoke mitigation has been elevated to a top priority in the county.
The updated plan will assess the risk in various sub-areas of Chelan County and propose mitigation measures to reduce this risk. Other concerns of residents include:
● The adequacy of evacuation plans, especially in highly touristed areas of the county
● The increasing cost of fire insurance
● The need for more effective and coordinated communication during wildfire events
RC3 supports the work of agencies and organizations responsible for wildfire planning and response to ensure the needs and priorities of residents are addressed. The Fire Safety Group’s accomplishments underscore their ongoing commitment to safeguarding the well-being of all residents and ensuring a more resilient future for the county.
By prioritizing smoke mitigation and other wildfire-related issues, the county aims to equip emergency responders with the necessary tools and strategies to more effectively serve and protect the community during extreme events.
