Disaster Resiliency Manager offers wildfire advice, resources

PATEROS – With the arrival of the first official day of spring, March 21, homeowners who have not earlier turned their attention to another wildfire season are doing so now, and for good reason. The best attitude to adopt in the event of natural disaster is a defensive one. In the same way that chance favors the prepared mind, and fortune favors the brave, so fire hardening of homes and property can be the difference between deflection and destruction.

Someone who has devoted countless hours to defense against wildfire is Jessica Farmer, Disaster Resiliency Program Manager for the Okanogan County Long Term Recovery Group (OCLTRG).

OCLTRG was formed in the wake of the massive 2014-15 wildfires that destroyed homes across the county and in the City of Pateros. The 2020 Cold Spring/Pearl Hill fires did similar damage to Okanogan and Douglas counties, including the City of Bridgeport.

Among the significant facts that Farmer has heard from conservations with many fire victims is the destruction of homes from embers left in the wake of a passing fire. 

“Many families survived the initial fire that spared their homes only to discover days later that overlooked embers flared and destroyed them,” Farmer said.

A resource Farmer recommends for those looking for help with wildfire resiliency is the Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) compiled by the Okanogan Conservation District. The document was first developed in 2009 and last updated in 2013. More than 100 partners and 1,000-plus community members contributed to the update. The process involves gathering community input, assessing data, and local decision making to prioritize and implement wildfire mitigation actions.

“I can offer free Wildfire Ready Home Assessments to anyone in Okanogan County,” Farmer said. 

To schedule an assessment, contact Farmer by phone at 509-846-5101 or email at jessicaocdcm@gmail.com. 

The Okanogan Conservation District is in the USDA Service Center, 1251 Second Ave. S., Room 102, in Okanogan. General inquiries can be directed to natalie@okanogancd.org or call 509-422-0855.

Mike Maltais: 360-333-8483 or michael@ward.media