Each year, wildland fires consume homes in the wildland-urban interface (WUI), or areas where homes are built near or among lands prone to wildland fire.
This year, according to a report by the National Interagency Fire Center, Western Washington will be more prone to these WUI fires than usual. In fact, the west side saw 51 fires in March alone. In light of these predictions, the Valley Regional Fire Authority strongly encourages Algona, Auburn and Pacific residents to take steps to protect their homes.
Studies show that as many as 80 percent of homes lost to wildland fire may have been saved if brush around the homes were cleared and defensible space created around structures. If you see fire risk areas around your home, there is no better time than now to prepare. Wildfire experts have identified three main “ignition zones” around a typical home: the immediate zone (0 to 5 feet), intermediate zone (5 to 30 feet) and the extended zone (30 to 100 feet).