Fire Adapted Communities
MARS Stewardship Crew operates a free chipper program in Trout Lake, May 2023.
The Mt. Adams landscape evolved with fire. But with overstocked forests, climate change, and increasing development in the Wildland-Urban Interface, we need to prepare our communities for uncharacteristically large wildfire events.
A “fire adapted community” is one that has taken steps to make its residents and infrastructure resilient to wildfire. It is also a community that recognizes the integral role that fire plays in our forested ecosystems. Fire is inevitable—indeed, it’s part of the solution—but destroyed homes are not.
Most home ignitions during a wildfire are preventable by removing fuels on and around your house. Check out this site to learn more. Credit: NFPA
How MARS builds fire resiliency in rural communities:
Coordination of the Fire Adapted Community Trout Lake (FACT) volunteer group
Home wildfire risk assessments
Implementation of strategic fuels reduction treatments around communities
Coordination of the Mt. Adams Prescribed Burn Association
Assistance to private landowners to create “defensible space” around their homes through an annual free chipper program or on a contract basis with the MARS Stewardship Crew
Participation in the Washington Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network
With grant funds from the WA Department of Natural Resources, MARS purchases and distributes metal screening that homeowners can use to cover their vents and enclose their decks. This prevents embers produced by wildfire from entering and igniting dry debris around/in the home.
Resources
Fire Adapted Communities Program Contact:
Sarah Allaben, 440-497-8224 sarah@mtadamsstewards.org
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The recent trend of massive, catastrophic wildfires in the West brings increased urgency to Fire Adapted Communities work. Learn more:
The Science of Wildfire: Why They’re Getting Worse - short video from the Wall Street Journal
Living with Wildfire - 45-minute film about wildfires in Washington State
The West is Burning - documentary raising awareness about the condition of forests in the West
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Sign up for a free 30-45 minute home wildfire risk assessment via this form.
For additional resources, visit wildfireready.com
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Small actions can make a huge difference in saving your home from a wildfire.
Trout Lake Wildfire Mitigation Guide - booklet created by MARS that covers home hardening, defensible space, evacuation and emergency preparedness, local contractors, and more
Preparing Homes from Wildfire - guide from the National Fire Protection Agency
Your Home Can Survive a Wildfire - video explaining the science behind home ignitions
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Fire Adapted Community Trout Lake (FACT) is a community-led group dedicated to increasing awareness about wildfire risk in Trout Lake and facilitating the work necessary to mitigate that risk.
Click to visit the FACT webpage!
To join the FACT email list, contact Sarah Allaben at sarah@mtadamsstewards.org or 440-497-8224.
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MARS and Yakama Nation received grant funding via the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to create “shaded fuel breaks” for community wildfire protection in western Klickitat County.
Community members tour a “shaded fuel break” recently constructed behind a neighborhood in Trout Lake. This fuel break was a joint project between local landowners, MARS, and the Washington DNR.