WILDFIRE DOES NOT FOLLOW PROPERTY BOUNDARIES
With that in mind, KFACC members work together, across property ownerships to accelerate the pace and scale of forest restoration and wildfire mitigation in Kittitas County.
Planning
Kittitas County CWPP
One of the core ways KFACC influences fire preparedness and wildfire risk reduction in Kittitas County, is by convening stakeholders and community members, sharing information, coordinating actions and work, and providing space for planning across ownership boundaries. Nowhere is that better seen than in the 2018 update of the Kittitas County Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP). KFACC lead the CWPP development process and created a CWPP subcommittee to develop and complete the plan. Building a collaborative and cooperative environment with the fire departments, community-based organizations, local government, and the public land management agencies has been the first step in reducing the risk of loss from wildland fire.
Grants
Community Wildfire Defense Grant - $10,000,000 for Kittitas County
Members of KFACC, in coordination with the Kittitas County Conservation District, developed the Kittitas County Resilience Landscapes proposal and were successful in being awarded $10,000,000 for fuels mitigation projects. These projects will reduce wildfire risk in Kittitas County while creating more resilient communities and forests in the project area. 92% of requested funds are for on-the-ground fuels work. Projects are driven by the planning efforts of the Washington Department of Natural Resources, the Kittitas Community Wildfire Protection Plan, and the planning efforts of the County Fire Chiefs, the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Cle Elum Ranger District, the SE Region of Washington Department of Natural Resources, and the Kittitas Fire Adapted Communities Coalition.
Projects
2022 Accomplishments
- Washington State DNR reported 1,790 acres of fuels reduction on private property and a fuel break project (Lambert/Taylor Rd).
- Local fire resources and staff were able to complete 100 acres of prescribed fire above Cle Elum and Roslyn.
- Kittitas County Conservation District and Kittitas County Fire & Rescue #7 worked together to implement a chipping program for local landowners.
- Kittitas Valley Fire & Rescue and IAFC Wildland Committee member, Deputy Cheif Elliot has led a county effort to create QR codes to build a more robust Emergency Notification program in accompaniment with Ready Set GO! educational materials.
- In May, over 75 community stakeholders and members participated in an Evacuation table Top.
Kittitas county news
Kittitas County News
- Kittitas County burn ban to be lifted Oct. 19 - NBC Right Now October 18, 2024
- Level 3 evacuations in place for Wenatchee fire days after WA’s ‘fire season’ ended - MyNorthwest October 14, 2024
- Fire In Squilchuck Area Forces Evacuations - KPQ October 13, 2024
- Kittitas County opens comment period for 2024 hazard mitigation plan - NBC Right Now October 7, 2024
- Crews Gaining Upper Hand On Wildfire Near Ellensburg - KPQ October 7, 2024
- Kittitas County residents may see smoke due to controlled burns at Swauk Creek Fire - NBC Right Now September 18, 2024
- Recreational burn ban lifted in Kittitas County - NBC Right Now September 18, 2024
- Swauk Creek Fire Burning out of Control - KIMA CBS 29 September 11, 2024
- Wildfire started by car crash in Kittitas County now burning over 300 acres - NBC Right Now September 10, 2024
- Wildfire causes lane closures along SR-97 in Kittitas County - KXLY Spokane September 9, 2024
CONNECT WITH US
In May 2017, agencies, stakeholders and community members met to express concerns for wildfire related issues in Kittitas County. Recognizing the importance of the issues of fire adapted communities, the meetings continued and the Kittitas Fire Adapted Communities Coalition (KFACC) was formed.
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