To achieve a balance between embracing our natural environment and wildfire hazard reduction, it is essential to adopt strategies that integrate fire management into land use planning. This could involve creating defensible spaces around homes, utilizing fire-resistant building materials, and implementing controlled burns to manage fuel loads effectively. By adopting a holistic approach that respects both the natural processes of wildlife and the necessities of human habitation, we can coexist with the forests while minimizing risks associated with wildfire. Through education and community engagement, we can enhance our resilience to wildfire and foster a sustainable relationship with our forest ecosystems.

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
UCD offers free, no-obligation site visits to landowners in west Klickitat and Skamania Counties for assistance in the following areas:
Forest Health Assessments:
- Know your forest. Are you west or east of the Cascade Crest? What trees do you see on your land, and where? Spend some time, study your forest community, and get some advice.
- Articulate clear goals. Consider what it is you want from your forest. What are you hoping to achieve in five or thirty years? Do you want to be able to collect firewood every year? Improve wildlife habitat? Re-plant harvested acreage? Enjoy a trail system around the property? Learn what kind of ecosystem services are available from your forest, and decide which ones to pursue.
- Make a plan to get there.
- Be specific. Draw maps. Set out specific activities for the next two, five, ten years to move closer to your goals.

Sign up for a free home defensible space visit on our website at Wildfire Ready Neighbors

In partnership with the Washington Department of Natural Resources, we help individuals, neighbors, and communities study their home ignition zones and fuels mitigation needs:
- Be aware. Wildfire is a natural process in healthy forests, but also destructive to human homes. Wildfires happen every year in grasslands, forest stands, and private properties throughout the greater Columbia Gorge.
- Be prepared. Learn how to reduce wildfire hazards around your home, either from our team or on your own. Basic ideas include pushing back vegetation from your home and other structures; spacing trees (especially pines and firs) close to your structures and pruning their lower branches; replacing flammable vegetation (such as arborvitae and juniper) with fire-resistant landscaping; and, keeping an easily-navigable entry and exit to your property.
- One step at a time. Make a list of priority needs to reduce wildfire hazards to your home and work through it over time. Need another set of eyes on your home to identify these steps? Sign up for a free at the link above!

For Skamania County residents, visit our Skamania County Community Wildfire Planning page on the website.

Conservation Incentives
- Mobile Chipping *Signups currently closed.
UCD offers free mobile chipping services for residents and community groups for wildfire resilience and/or forest health. Please see our Terms and Conditions to see if you are eligible.
- State and Federal Cost-Share: For larger acreage forestry projects (greater than 20 acres), you may be eligible for technical assistance and cost-share through the Washington Department of Natural Resources Service Forestry, as well as the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) EQIP and CSP programs.