King County offers new toolkit to make homes and neighborhoods more resilient to increasing wildfire risk
Summary
A new toolkit developed by King County climate, forestry, and emergency management experts is now available to help residents prepare their families, homes, and neighborhoods for increasing wildfire risk in Western Washington
News
King County, in a partnership with Eastside Fire and Rescue and King Conservation District, developed a customized toolkit to help residents better prepare their homes and communities for increased wildfire risks.
The new Wildfire Ready Toolkit is tailored to the specific conditions King County communities face, featuring customized actions to help reduce risk and build resilience. Climate, forestry, and emergency management experts at King County worked with local partners and first responders to develop the toolkit, based on the wildfire action plan created by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, known as Cal Fire.
“The climate crisis has exacerbated the threat of wildfires in our region, making community preparedness and resilience more important than ever,” said King County Executive Girmay Zahilay. “King County is committed to making tools and resources available to residents so they can prepare their homes, families, and communities for increasing wildfire risk. I’m grateful to our King County experts and partners who developed this accessible toolkit and encourage everyone living in a wildland-urban area to utilize it."
About 15% of King County’s population lives in wildland-urban interface areas that are more likely to experience wildfire. It includes a range of communities, from urban neighborhoods next to open spaces to rural properties located in forestland. Flying embers can travel a mile or more by winds, igniting roofs, decks, porches, and surrounding vegetation.
Two King County agencies – the Department of Natural Resources and Parks and the Office of Emergency Management – worked with partners to develop the toolkit.
“Everyone wants to make their neighborhood more resilient to climate impacts and prepare for a potential evacuation, but it’s not always clear where to begin,” said Mo McBroom, Interim Director of the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks. “That’s why the customized toolkit our staff developed with partners is such a valuable resource, providing clear instructions for preparing our communities for the increasing threat of wildfire in King County.”
“Equipping our communities with practical, easy‑to‑use tools like the Wildfire Ready Toolkit strengthens our shared resilience,” said Brendan McCluskey, Director of the King County Office of Emergency Management. “This resource helps residents understand the specific steps they can take to reduce wildfire risk around their homes and neighborhoods. When paired with the essentials of preparedness — making a plan, building a kit, and staying informed — it gives people the confidence and knowledge to take action before an emergency occurs. I encourage every household to download the toolkit, talk with their neighbors, and start preparing today.”
Checklists to reduce wildfire risk, plan for evacuation, prepare emergency supply kits
The toolkit features multiple checklists to help residents prepare their homes and property, create an evacuation plan, and prepare an emergency supply kit.
The checklist of actions to reduce wildfire risk to homes and property includes:
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Removing vegetation, firewood, debris, and any other flammable items located within 5 feet of your home, and adding non-flammable materials such as gravel
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Clearing flammable plant debris from your roof and gutters
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Removing vegetation such as grass and weeds from under decks, porches, and stairs
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Covering exterior ventilation openings – except dryer and plumbing vents – with wire mesh screens to keep flying embers from entering your home
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Removing wood fencing and gates located within 5 feet of your home and relocating sheds and other structures at least 30 feet from your home
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Pruning branches so they don’t come within 10 feet of your home
The checklist of actions for creating an evacuation plan and preparing your household includes:
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Identifying one or more designated emergency meeting locations and different escape routes in the event of an evacuation
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Developing a family communications plan that includes places to meet and emergency points of contact
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Assembling an easily accessible emergency supply kit for each person in your family and pets
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Getting familiar with King County’s Ready, Set, Go! evacuation levels – available at kingcounty.gov/ReadySetGo – and the actions you should take for each level.
The checklist for assembling an emergency supply kit – also knowns as a “go bag” – includes:
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A map marked with at least two evacuation routes
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Battery-powered radio and extra batteries
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Prescriptions and special medications
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Extra eyeglasses or contact lenses
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An extra set of car keys, phone charger, credit cards, and cash
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A change of clothes, including a long-sleeved cotton shirt, pants, and sturdy shoes
King County officials encourage residents to sign up for ALERT King County at kingcounty.gov/alert to stay informed about potential hazards and threats.
The majority of wildfires are caused by human activity. According to the Western Fire Chiefs Association, common sources of human-caused wildfires are burning debris, unattended or improperly extinguished campfires, discarded cigarettes, arson, and sparks from equipment, including mowers, dragging chains, downed electrical equipment, and vehicle exhaust.
“Wildfire risk is not solely a function of weather or topography – it is profoundly influenced by how we steward our property and the landscape around us,” said Catherine Robinson of Eastside Fire and Rescue. “Every property owner, resident, and community member has a responsibility to reduce hazardous fuels on and around their home and prepare for wildfire. By taking responsibility for the vegetation and conditions of our homes and neighborhoods, we can reduce wildfire risk and strengthen our shared resilience. Together, we can create and sustain strong fire-adapted communities.”
“The Wildfire Ready Toolkit is a great resource for people to learn how they can help protect their homes and communities from wildfires,” said King Conservation District Wildfire Mitigation Program Coordinator Natalia Williams. “We hope everyone that lives in forested areas will read the guide and then reach out to King Conservation District for wildfire mitigation services including project cost-share funding.”
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