Wildfires risk in Washington

Wildfire risk in Washington: what makes this state different

Washington is often pictured as a rainy, evergreen state, but the Cascade Range splits it into two very different fire environments. East of the Cascade crest, the landscape is largely shrub-steppe, grassland and dry ponderosa pine forest that cures out each summer and burns easily. West of the crest the forests are wetter, yet the foothills, inland valleys and the rain-shadow areas of the Olympic Peninsula still see fires during extended dry spells. The result is a hazard that can affect residents almost anywhere in the state, either directly or through weeks of smoke.

Wildfire in Washington is chiefly a warm-season hazard. The core of the season runs from July through September, though fires can start earlier in spring on the dry side and continue into October. The most dangerous days come when strong, dry east winds push through the Cascade passes and down the Columbia River Gorge; under those conditions a small ignition can become a fast-moving, wind-driven fire within hours. Lightning starts many fires in the mountains and the Okanogan highlands, while human causes — equipment, vehicles, campfires, fireworks and power lines — tend to start fires close to roads and communities, where they threaten homes fastest.

The most exposed areas are in the wildland-urban interface: the fringes of cities and rural subdivisions built into or next to flammable vegetation. Counties with the highest exposure include Okanogan, Chelan, Douglas, Kittitas, Yakima, Klickitat, Spokane, Stevens, Ferry, Pend Oreille, Lincoln, Adams, Benton, Franklin, Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin. Communities such as Wenatchee, Leavenworth, Chelan, Omak, Okanogan, Twisp, Winthrop, Spokane, Yakima, Ellensburg, Cle Elum and Goldendale have all been near significant fires in recent years. West of the Cascades, the foothills and rural areas of southwest Washington carry risk as well.

Recent events show how quickly conditions can change. During the Labor Day 2020 windstorm, several large fires raced across eastern Washington in a single day, destroying hundreds of homes and largely burning the town of Malden. Large fires also generate dense smoke that blankets eastern Washington for days or weeks, which is a health issue even for households far from the flames.

How it affects homes

Most homes lost in wildfires are ignited by wind-blown embers, not by the flame front itself. Embers can travel well ahead of a fire and slip into gutters, roof valleys, vents, deck gaps and the base of walls, smoldering until the structure catches. Radiant heat can crack windows and ignite curtains inside, and direct flame contact finishes the job when vegetation, fencing or firewood is touching the house. Once several homes in a neighborhood burn, the fire can spread house to house with little or no vegetation involved.

Even homes that survive can be affected by smoke and ash, heat-damaged siding, and water used during suppression. Properties near burn scars face a second hazard: burned slopes repel water, so rainstorms afterwards can cause flash flooding, erosion and debris flows.

On insurance, wildfire is a covered peril under standard homeowners and renters policies in Washington, and loss-of-use coverage can help with temporary housing if you are evacuated or displaced. Because insurers are increasingly careful about wildfire exposure, some homeowners in high-risk areas have seen premiums rise or policies non-renewed. Check your declarations page for a separate wildfire deductible and for replacement-cost limits, and note that flood damage — including flooding after a fire — is not covered by a homeowners policy.

How to prepare your home

Homes that survive wildfires are usually saved by what owners did before the fire arrived. Fire professionals think in zones: the ember zone closest to the house, the lean, clean and green zone out to about 30 feet, and the reduced-fuel zone from 30 to 100 feet or more. Start at the wall and work outward.

• Zone 0 (0–5 feet): use gravel, pavers or hardscape next to the foundation. Remove bark mulch, shrubs, vines and anything flammable touching the wall.
• Roof: keep a Class A rated roof in good repair and clear needles, leaves and moss from roof surfaces and valleys.
• Gutters: clean them regularly during fire season; debris-filled gutters are a common ignition point.
• Vents: cover attic, crawlspace and dryer vents with 1/8-inch noncombustible mesh to keep embers out.
• Decks and porches: enclose the undersides, screen gaps, and never store boxes, furniture or fuel beneath them.
• Windows and siding: use dual-pane tempered glass and noncombustible or ignition-resistant siding where you can.
• 5–30 feet: mow dry grass to about 4 inches, irrigate where practical, and remove ladder fuels that let fire climb into tree crowns.
• Trees: prune limbs to at least 6 to 10 feet above the ground and space crowns so fire cannot jump between them.
• 30–100 feet: thin dense stands, remove dead vegetation and keep the area mowed or grazed.
• Fuel storage: stack firewood well away from the house, and move propane tanks, gas cans, trailers and RVs to a cleared area.
• Access: post a reflective address sign, keep the driveway clear and wide enough for fire engines, and make sure gates open easily.
• Evacuation: sign up for county or local emergency alerts, build a go-bag, plan for pets and livestock, and identify more than one route out of your neighborhood.

Frequently asked questions

Does homeowners insurance cover wildfire damage in Washington?

Yes. Fire, including wildfire, is a covered peril under standard homeowners and renters policies, and loss-of-use coverage may pay for temporary housing after an evacuation. Coverage details vary, so review your limits, check whether a separate wildfire deductible applies, and keep an up-to-date home inventory with photos stored off-site. If you are having trouble finding or keeping coverage in a high-risk area, contact the Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner for help understanding your options.

When is wildfire season in Washington?

The busiest months are typically July through September, with the most destructive wind-driven fires often occurring in late summer and early autumn when dry east winds coincide with cured fuels. State and federal fire managers, however, now treat fire as a year-round possibility and urge residents to prepare in spring, before the first red flag warning is issued.

How do I know if my home is in a wildfire-prone area?

A good indicator is how close your home sits to continuous flammable vegetation — grass, brush or forest — and whether your neighborhood has only one way out. Your local fire district, county emergency management office and the Washington Department of Natural Resources can tell you about local risk assessments, evacuation zones and community wildfire protection plans. Keep in mind that embers and smoke can affect homes that are not directly in the wildland-urban interface.

Official resources

• Washington Emergency Management Division — statewide preparedness, alerting and recovery information.
• National Interagency Fire Center — national fire statistics, outlooks and incident information.
• Ready.gov – Wildfires — federal guidance on preparing for, responding to and recovering from wildfires.
• US Forest Service – Fire — information on fire management, fuels treatment and defensible space.