Posted: July 31, 2008 13:15:12 PST
When you think of wildfires, you may picture the fires that commonly occur in Southern California, over 1,000 miles away from Bellingham. However, there are areas within the city limits that can create an environment for fires that are perhaps not as voracious and large but can still endanger life and property. The areas of concern are where the built environment intermingles with large areas of trees and vegetation. In Bellingham, these areas are found near parks and on the perimeter of the city, especially on the Southside.
On July 29, several homes along Sea Pines Lane off Chuckanut Drive were threatened by a fire in this interface area. Quick action by occupants, a recent change in the weather, and an accurate fire attack prevented the damage to these homes. It was a close call. Any change to the actions or the weather could have created a different outcome. Prevention is the best approach for handling the increased fire risk that summer brings.
The risk of fire and its effect on you can be reduced if you follow these simple guidelines:
More information regarding this topic can be found by visiting http://www.firewise.org/usa/fw_guides.htm or contact the Bellingham Fire Department at 360-778-8420.
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Media Contact:
Jason Napier, Fire Marshal
Bellingham Fire Department
(360) 778-8420
jnapier@cob.org
