Smokey Bear Collaborates with Guemes Island for Wildfire Community Preparedness Day

Smokey Bear joined wildfire resilience partners at the Guemes Community Center to educate the community on ways to reduce wildfire risk on the island

Smokey Bear loves to say that "Only you can prevent wildfires." The people of Guemes Island took this to heart as they worked together with Smokey to reduce wildfire risk on Community Wildfire Preparedness Day on May 3rd.  This community came together not just to safeguard their own homes, but to help protect the entire island—its people, infrastructure, and the surrounding marine and terrestrial ecosystems—by reducing wildfire fuels and building resilience from the ground up.  

Community Wildfire Preparedness Day, organized by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), is a nationwide event that encourages individuals and groups in wildfire-prone areas to take actions to reduce wildfire risk. Across the country, communities participated in activities such as fuel reduction projects (including wood chipping and biochar production) and educational events to protect their communities. 

Locally, the residents of Guemes Island took part in a wide range of efforts aimed at addressing their shared wildfire risk, including:

• Free wildfire home risk assessments by wildfire experts from the Skagit and Whatcom Conservation Districts and the Department of Natural Resources 

• Educational booths at the Community Center with a special appearance by Smokey Bear 

• A wildfire risk assessment demonstration at the Community Center 

• Work parties to collect excess fuels around the island 

 Image* Chief Cole of Guemes Island Fire Department, a long time fan of Smokey Bear, got to work with Smokey to reduce wildfire risk in her community

At the Community Center, wildfire partners from Skagit and Whatcom Conservation Districts, the Department of Natural Resources, Guemes Island Fire Department, Kulshan Carbon Trust, and Skagit County Department of Emergency Management provided information to help residents learn about wildfire risk, emergency preparedness, and fuel reduction practices. 

Adding some fun to the day’s events, Smokey Bear made a special appearance, greeting visitors of all ages. One resident even led a spirited sing-along of the Smokey Bear song, creating a memorable moment for the community!

As part of the day’s hands-on learning opportunities, Alexis Bryson, Community Wildfire Resilience Technician for Whatcom and Skagit Conservation Districts, guided community members through a demonstration of a wildfire home risk assessment. The walk-through helped participants understand what to look for in the Home Ignition Zone and gave them the confidence to begin reducing wildfire risk around their own homes and in their community. 

While activities were underway at the Community Center, 14 homes across Guemes Island received free, confidential, and non-regulatory wildfire home risk assessments. These personalized evaluations help homeowners identify specific vulnerabilities within their Home Ignition Zone and provide practical recommendations to reduce wildfire risk. 

- Brenan Filippini, Local resident and volunteer firefighter

While Smokey Bear greeted residents and shared wildfire safety tips at the Community Center, Guemes Island residents were hard at work across the island, clearing understory vegetation to reduce ladder fuels — a key step in wildfire risk reduction. One of the day’s major efforts focused on chipping excess tree limbs and woody debris to eliminate hazardous fuels. Neighbors took initiative by forming their own work parties to gather hazardous fuels and haul them to the designated chipping sites. 

Local resident and volunteer firefighter, Brenan Filippini, recalls more than 30 residents who had been out for several hours making chipping piles. He said, “there is a TON of wood to chip” with one neighborhood having “a solid wall of branch piles about 1/3 of a mile along!” 

May is Wildfire Awareness Month, and the work doesn’t end with just one day, or even one month. This is a great time to take meaningful steps to reduce wildfire risk, both individually and alongside neighbors. One of the most effective ways to start is by signing up for a free wildfire home risk assessment. These assessments provide expert guidance on how to reduce hazards in the Home Ignition Zone and better protect your property, and in-turn your community. Visit whatcomcd.org/wildfire to learn more and schedule your assessment. 

The Climate Commitment Act allows us to continue providing these free services to communities across Whatcom and Skagit counties.