Thurston County Offers Tips to Help Defend Against Wildfires This Season

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Submitted by Thurston County

Do you know how to make your home and garden “firewise?” Summer heat has set early and Washington wildfires have already scorched thousands of acres this season, so Thurston County emergency management officials are offering some tips and resources to help local residents protect their homes and property against the dangers of wildfires.

The National Fire Protection Association has created a “one-stop shop” website for communities across the country to access tips, information and tools to help make their properties and communities more resistant to wildfires. The public can access wildfire news, education materials, project ideas, and lots more at www.firewise.org.

“Washington is in the grip of a statewide drought right now, and I don’t think anyone is surprised by the fact that wildfires are a very serious concern this year, even on the west side of the Cascades,” said Thurston County Emergency Management Coordinator Andrew Kinney. “We’re really looking to residents to help reduce the wildfire danger on their own property this season. Each person who takes some steps to protect against wildfire helps reduce the risk for their neighbors and, really, the whole county.”

As a Fourth of July holiday heatwave sets in across the Puget Sound region, Thurston County residents are reminded that a countywide outdoor burn ban is currently in place to help protect against wildfires. For more details about the burn ban restrictions, go to the county’s homepage at www.co.thurston.wa.us and click on the “Countywide Burn Ban” link.

County officials also remind residents that there are restrictions on the sale and discharge of fireworks in the county. But with the current heat and dry conditions, residents are urged to keep this holiday season safe and sane and enjoy the region’s professional fireworks shows this year instead. To learn more, go to the county’s homepage at www.co.thurston.wa.us and click on the “Fireworks restrictions and safety tips” link.

As temperatures climb this week, keeps tabs on weather conditions and hot weather tips and information with the Thurston County Emergency Management Division social media—find us on Facebook at ThurstonEM, or on Twitter at @ThurstonEM.

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