Wildfire Awareness — Are You Ready?

By J. Warburton – LMC Firewise Committee

You may have already heard that, due to low snowpack and a drier and warmer than normal winter, Washington State has already officially declared a statewide drought.  These  conditions increase the fire risk as we enter the wildfire season -- typically May through October.

To bring awareness and to educate homeowners, the Ludlow Maintenance Commission (LMC) hosted an East Jefferson Fire Rescue (EJFR) Wildfire Awareness presentation on April 28 in the Bay View Room.  Robert Wittenberg, East Jefferson Fire Rescue (EJFR) and Community Risk Manager was the guest speaker.  The Jefferson County Conservation District (JCCD), the WA State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the LMC’s Firewise Committee hosted informational tables. 

Port Ludlow residents heard about 2026 wildfire season risk projections, learned about the role and responsibility they have individually and collectively with neighbors to prevent the ignition of wildfires, how to mitigate the risk of wildfire damage to one’s home and steps to take in the event of a wildfire evacuation.  This community-wide event was well-attended, highly informative and received rave reviews from the 60-plus attendees!

Attendees also learned about the EJFR’s Home Wildfire Assessment Program. At no cost to you, a trained EJFR member will walk around the exterior of your home with you and provide specific guidelines and recommendations to protect your home, including reducing combustible materials, preventing ember entry and ignition, reducing ladder fuels, and ongoing vegetation management.  This is an educationally-focused, 30 to 40-minute consult and one of the most important action steps you can take.

Are you ready?

Request a FREE wildfire home assessment today!

 ·    Go to the EJFR website:  www.ejfr.org

·    Or call EJFR: (360) 385-2626

For more information about wildfire risk and actions to take to prepare your home, visit:

 www.NFPA.org, click the Education and Research tab, and select Preparing Homes for Wildfire