WASHINGTON — Multiple wildfires are actively burning across the state of Washington, including a fire in Chelan where people have been asked to evacuate, and one in Yakima where nearly 10,000 acres have been scorched so far.
It's not even summer yet, but residents of western Washington are already working to mitigate any fire risks on the home front. In Pierce County officials have put an outdoor burn ban into effect.
However, some people have already violated the ban. Smoke was seen coming from a person's property on the Key Peninsula Saturday, which prompted a response from firefighters.
"Everyone is still wanting to burn and clear from our winter," said Anne Nesbit, Key Peninsula Fire public information officer. “We did have a call yesterday. They were burning some pretty large burn piles.”
Due to an above-normal fire risk anticipated this summer, fire officials like Nesbit are asking for vigilance and compliance.
"We're watching our neighbors. We know that there's an incident in Yakima, Chelan," Nesbit said.
Yakima and Chelan are in a drought, but much of western Washington is too.
"Even on the west side of the state, don't underestimate the true threat," said Travis Beach, Poulsbo Fire Department acting battalion chief.
In Kitsap County several wildfire mitigation efforts are underway ahead of fire season.
"We are certainly seeing a wildfire season that appears to be taking off a little bit sooner than normal, which gives us caution," Beach said.
Just days ago, Puget Sound Energy leaders told Kitsap County customers they may pre-emptively turn off their power during risky conditions such as strong winds, very dry vegetation, and low humidity. The hope is that their power lines don’t ignite a wildfire.
Falling power lines was the likely cause for at least one of the fires on Maui last August, according to Hawaiian Electric.
"People just don't want to live through a natural disaster like that. There's fear, and it's well founded, but anything that we can do to protect our communities and ourselves is just really important," Nesbit said.
If you have any trees or shrubbery up against your home, Nesbit said one thing you can do to improve your safety this time of year is to trim them away from your home, especially from your roof.