Wildfire Resilience
Wildfire risk is increasing in Western Washington, but your home CAN survive a wildfire.
Since 2019 Whatcom CD has been partnering with us to offer the same program across both counties. While each county has their unique settings and circumstances, wildfire doesn’t recognize political boundaries. We partner with Whatcom Conservation District to provide free home risk assessments and Wildfire Resilience programming.
To find out how you can improve the safety of your property from wildfire, sign up for a FREE and customized on-site assessment. With this assessment you will also receive helpful resources and a report that defines which actions to take to improve your property’s resilience to wildfires.
Reducing Fuels with Biochar
Excess fuels from woody debris can increase the risk of wildfire. While traditional slash pile burning is one way to reduce this fuel, it can produce excessive smoke and pose safety concerns. An alternative to open pile burning that generates less smoke is converting woody material into biochar using a flame- cap kiln. Biochar is a carbon-rich soil amendment produced through a high-heat, low-oxygen burning process. Skagit CD offers a biochar flame-cap kiln that landowners and communities can borrow to safely reduce woody fuels on their property. This process not only lowers smoke emissions and hazardous wildfire fuels but also supports soil health and carbon sequestration.
Interested in using a biochar kiln on your property? Fill out the interest form through the link below. District staff will need to conduct a pre-burn site assessment in advance of the desired burn dates to verify appropriate feedstock, desirable kiln location, and adequate water source is available. If you have not used the District kiln before staff will provide a demonstration burn and any future kilns burns will be contingent on having a signed user agreement on file.
All kiln burns conducted on forestlands under the jurisdiction of DNR must adhere to the departments “rule burn” requirements. All kiln burns on agricultural land must adhere to Northwest Clean Air Agency requirements. Kilns are not approved for burning in County designated incorporated municipalities and Urban Growth Areas.
Resources
Ember Aware brochure
Ember demo video
Insurance Institute for Home Business and Safety Wildfire Page
Demystifying Insurance for Wildfires
Disastersafety.org Wildfire Ready
NFPA Wildfire Preparedness Resources
Fire Resistant Plants and Landscaping
Conifer Pruning Quick Guide
Guide to Pruning Landscaping Trees
Resource Guide- Biochar