Gig Harbor Fire Asks Residents To Get Ready For Wildfire Season

GIG HARBOR, WA — Wildfire season has started extra early this year, and Gig Harbor Fire is reminding everyone to double-check and make sure your home is ready in case of an emergency.

May is Wildfire Community Preparedness Month, and in keeping with the season, Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One is sharing a few home safety preparedness tips.

According to Assistant Chief Todd Meyer, there are really three things homeowners will want to focus on: reducing fuels, home protection, and emergency vehicle access.

Reducing fuels means getting rid of any dry or rotting foliage. Trees on your property should be at least five feet apart from the tips of their branches, and should be limbed at least 10 feet up to stop fire from climbing up the trunk.

The key to home protection is setting up a defensible space around your house. That means keeping flammable foliage away from the house, but also making sure grass near the home is kept short, well-watered, green, and thus less flammable. Finally, if you're planning a new home or remodeling, consider fire resistant siding or roofs. Also consider install screens on windows or vents to prevent embers from flying inside.

Finally, if a wildfire does spread near your home, firefighters need to be able to get to it. That means having a well-marked driveway and address.

"That is an awesome opportunity to have us get to you sooner," Meyer said.

Thinning the brush around a driveway not only makes it easier for first responders to get to your home, but a well-maintained driveway can even stop a wildfire in its tracks. You may also want to consider installing a fire hydrant, which Meyers says can greatly speed up their process in an emergency.

>> Learn more about keeping your home safe for wildfires by visiting the NAtional Fire Protection Association's website.