State Fire Marshal’s Office Stressing Preparation for Wildfire Awareness Month

May is Wildfire Awareness Month and the State Fire Marshal's Office is reinforcing the importance of being prepared after 2020 saw more than 1,500 wildfires that burned over 823,000 acres in Washington.

Deputy State Fire Marshal Robert Wittenberg said residents should prepare in part by putting together both an evacuation plan and a family communication plan, which designates an out-of-area friend or relative as a point of contact in case your family is separated.

"We definitely want people to take these evacuations seriously. If you are told to evacuate, go promptly." explained Wittenberg, "If you feel unsafe at all, don't even wait for the evacuation order, go ahead and leave now and don't return until emergency personnel are directing you that it's safe to return."

Residents should also protect their property by clearing flammable debris from gutters and around the home and using fire-resistant materials when making home improvements.

The National Interagency Fire Center is predicting a significant potential for wildfires in Washington State again this year due to warmer and dryer conditions.