EVERETT, DEC. 4: Snohomish County now has its first-ever plan to help people and businesses countywide better adapt to wildfire risk.
The Snohomish County Community Wildfire Protection plan provides a framework for ensuring coordinated mitigation, preparedness, evacuation, post-fire recovery, and outreach efforts, Emergency Management said in a press release.
Warmer, drier weather in recent years has heightened concern about fire frequency and intensity, Emergency Management said in the release.
Nearly 15% of the county population has increased fire risk due to homes and businesses being located within forestlands.
“The beautiful forests that help make our county special also mean this is a place where wildfires are a hazard, especially in areas where homes and forests are close together,” Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers said. “It is important that Snohomish County and the many dedicated partners who contributed to this plan are prepared. It is equally important for residents to learn about their risk and how they can better protect their homes and neighborhoods.”
Among the recommendations in the plan are guidelines for projects to reduce the brush and other woody fuels that can prime forestlands for destructive fires and improved access to information about making homes and property more fire-resistant.
In 2024, more than 1,100 residents completed a detailed survey to gauge wildfire preparedness and concerns about fire risks. Compared to five years ago, 59% of respondents are “more concerned” or “much more concerned” about the safety of their family, home, and assets from wildfire.
The plan was approved and adopted in early November by a unanimous vote of the Snohomish County Council. The project is the result of two years’ work by a team that included area firefighters, state and federal agencies, local tribes, nonprofits, residents, landowners and Emergency Management staff.
The planning effort relied upon geospatial analysis to identify places in the county where topography and ground cover contribute to elevated fire risk. Related data work identified areas where houses, farms and businesses mix in with forestlands.
Emergency Management will share more in 2026 as planning moves forward on community-specific wildfire protection needs, including identifying evacuation routes.
The adopted plan and more information can be found here.
Based on a press release from Snohomish County Emergency Management.