WFIS attended the Wildfire Preparedness for Schools webinar hosted by ESD112. As wildfire risks increase across Washington, schools must take proactive steps to reduce fire hazards on their campuses. Schools can better protect students, staff, and structures by understanding how fires behave and implementing fire-resilient landscape strategies. While wildfires often seem like distant threats, windblown embers and dry landscaping can put even suburban facilities at risk.
Wildfire risk is not just about proximity to forested areas. Schools should assess their grounds for fuel structures—materials like dry vegetation or wood piles that could carry fire to buildings. Key landscape factors:
- Vertical fuel ladders (grass → shrubs → low-hanging trees) allow fire to climb
- Horizontal fuel continuity—uninterrupted flammable materials help fire spread rapidly.
- Topography – Fire moves faster uphill, and embers or burning debris can roll downhill and ignite lower areas.
Surprisingly, 80% of structure losses in wildfires are due to windblown embers, not direct flames. These embers can travel long distances and ignite flammable materials like mulch, wood siding, or open vents.
Download this Fire-Resilient School Checklist (PDF) for detailed steps your school can take to prepare your campus and community.
Presentation resources can be accessed in the Wildfire Preparedness Resource Folder.
