For decades, we’ve learned how important it is to do everything possible to prevent forest fires. So, the idea that some fires help control forest fires might seem puzzling. But it’s true. Prescribed burns, also called prescribed fires and controlled burns, help improve forest health and reduce the risk of large, catastrophic wildfires.
Read MoreTopics: Washington State, wildfire, forest fires
We usually think of Western Washington as wet or at least damp, putting it at low risk for wildfires. But a reputation for rainy weather is not, unfortunately, protection against wildfires.
Read MoreTopics: Home safety, Washington State, wildfire, forest fires, fire departments, Home Fire Protection
The destructive and deadly California Camp Fire is still fresh in my mind and haunts my dreams due to my first-hand experience with wildfires.
The wildland urban interface or ‘where homes meet the forest’ is where I live.
Read MoreTopics: wildfire, forest fires
If you live or own property in a community adjacent to a wildland area, you may realize you’re at a greater risk for wildfires. But even if you don’t, you still may have reason to be concerned. Just because a house is located outside of the designated Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) zone doesn’t mean it’s out of the woods, as far as wildfire is concerned.
Read MoreTopics: wildfire, forest fires, Home Fire Protection
Remember the story of Hansel and Gretel, who walked into the forest and encountered a scary witch? This tale doesn’t involve a witch, but it’s scarier because it’s real. It’s about structures and homes built next to the beautiful forest, where a tranquil setting can take a frightening turn.
Read MoreTopics: wildfire, forest fires
As underwriters, it’s up to you to assess all kinds of risk—fire, water, liability, business income, coverage—using all the tools you can muster. This includes intuition, tenacity and common sense. But underwriting is a science, and an increasingly sophisticated one at that.
Read MoreTopics: wildfire, forest fires
With all the rain we had this past winter, wildfires are probably the last thing on your mind. But hot, dry weather is here and it is not too late to prepare your property for wildfire potential.
Read MoreTopics: wildfire
National Wildfire Community Preparedness Day is Saturday, May 6, 2017. It is a day dedicated to helping you learn valuable ways to reduce risk of fire to your home and community. A great place to start is the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) website. NFPA is devoted to eliminating death, injury, property and economic loss due to fire, electrical and related hazards.
Read MoreTopics: wildfire
We’ve talked a few times about forest fires and how to protect your property from them, but let’s be honest: as residents of Western Washington the idea of a forest fire is pretty remote from our minds, right? It’s something that happens near Chelan or in Spokane County.
And that’s true, isn’t it?
Read MoreTopics: Washington State, wildfire, forest fires, Home Fire Protection, Hazards
April marks the beginning of wildfire season in Washington State, and with recent weather reports showing that El Niño may bring a drier and warmer summer than normal, now is the time to prepare. In a previous post we covered how to minimize your risk during a wildfire, but do you know how wildfires spread? According to Disastersafety.org, there are three main threats that a home or business can be at risk for if they’re in a wildfire territory: windborne embers, radiant heat, and direct flame contact.
Read MoreTopics: risk, Washington State, wildfire, Disaster preparedness, Home Fire Protection, Hazards
