RICHLAND, Wash.-- Firefighters in our region are ready for a busy fire season, and they want you to be prepared as well by making sure your home is surrounded by a buffer to to protect it from fast-moving wildfires.

 

"It's really up to the homeowner to have a defensible space-- a sprinkled area, or some sort of gravel area, dirt area, where it's nothing green or brown butts up against your house," said Captain Mike Emerick with the Richland Fire Department. "When the fire does come, if it comes, it doesn't have direct access to your structure."

 

That defensible space makes it easier for firefighters to defend your home from a fast-moving wildfire. Cpt. Emerick pointed to the 2018 Bofer Canyon Fire in Benton County as a recent example of a fire that started out in dry brush, but was quickly spread by strong winds, and ultimately destroyed five homes.

 

As we spend more time either working or playing outside, Emerick also recommends several safety tips to keep in mind so you don't accidentally start a wildfire:

  • If you're starting a warming or cooking fire, make sure that the fire is not close to dry grass.
  • If you're doing any grinding with power tools, make sure you're not throwing sparks into grass or brush.
  • When mowing, make sure that you're not running over rocks, which could create a spark that ignites a fire.
  • While towing, make sure chains are secure and not dragging on the asphalt, as that can create sparks that lead to a wildfire.
  • Do your target shooting at an indoor shooting range whenever possible. If you must shoot out of doors, don't shoot into dry grassy areas.

 

In all cases, it's best to keep a fire extinguisher or water hose near by, along with a shovel to quickly put out any fires that ignite before they grow out of control.

 

And fire officials also encourage you to avoid the temptation to drive to a fire to get a closer look. Especially with wildland fires, several trucks need to get to the scene to transport water, and heavy traffic from curious onlookers can put them in danger, and delay their efforts to put out the fire to prevent the loss of life and property.

 

Listen to Jenna's full conversation with Cpt. Mike Emerick from the Richland Fire Department:

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