Voices: Wildfire mitigation starts at home. Here’s how you can protect yourself and your neighbors.

Wildfire is no longer a distant or seasonal threat — it is a year-round reality for many communities. Longer fire seasons, changing weather patterns and increased development in the wildland-urban interface mean that more homes are at risk than ever before.

As a community wildfire specialist in Washington County, I know that firefighters and emergency responders play a critical role in protecting lives and property. But one of the most powerful tools in wildfire defense begins long before smoke is in the air: mitigation and home hardening.

Mitigation refers to the proactive steps taken to reduce wildfire risk and limit damage when a fire occurs. Home hardening focuses specifically on making structures more resistant to ignition. Together, these efforts can improve a home’s chance of surviving a wildfire and reduce the overall risk to neighborhoods.

One of the most important concepts homeowners should understand is defensible space. This involves creating zones around a home where vegetation and combustible materials are carefully managed. The area immediately surrounding the structure — often referred to as the first five feet — is the most critical. Keeping this zone clear of dry leaves, wood piles, mulch, and other flammable materials can significantly reduce the likelihood that embers ignite the home.

Beyond that, trimming trees, spacing vegetation and maintaining healthy, irrigated landscaping helps slow fire spread and gives firefighters a safer environment in which to work.

Home hardening addresses how a house itself responds to wildfire exposure, particularly wind-driven embers, which are responsible for the majority of home ignitions. Simple upgrades can make a meaningful difference. Installing ember-resistant vents, covering eaves and ensuring that roofs are made of non-combustible or fire-rated materials all help prevent embers from entering the structure. Clearing debris from gutters, sealing gaps around doors and windows, and using tempered glass can further reduce vulnerability.

Maintenance matters just as much as materials. A well-hardened home can still be lost if flammable debris is allowed to accumulate or if vegetation is not regularly maintained. Seasonal cleanups, routine inspections and addressing small issues early can prevent larger problems during peak fire conditions.

Homeowners also play a vital role in community-wide wildfire resilience. Fires do not respect property lines, and neighborhoods that work together to reduce risk are far more effective than individual efforts alone. Participating in community mitigation projects, supporting local wildfire preparedness programs and engaging in evacuation planning all contribute to safer outcomes for everyone.

Wildfire mitigation and home hardening are not about eliminating risk entirely — no strategy can do that. They are about reducing the intensity of fire impacts, improving the likelihood that homes survive and protecting the lives of residents and first responders alike.

Preparedness is not a single project or a one-time investment. It is an ongoing commitment to safety, resilience and stewardship of the places we call home. As wildfire risk continues to grow across Washington County, mitigation truly does start at home.

In my role, I often remind residents that wildfire preparedness is not about fear — it is about empowerment. It’s not about doing everything at once — it’s about taking the next right step. Small, consistent mitigation actions taken across a neighborhood can have a powerful impact when a wildfire occurs.

Homeowners in Washington County should take advantage of local mitigation resources, defensible space guidance and preparedness programs offered through the county and local fire agencies. Schedule a home assessment, participate in community clean-up or chipping days, and talk with neighbors about evacuation planning.

By working together and taking action before the fire season begins, we can strengthen our community’s resilience and better protect the places we call home.

Bridgette Butynski is a community wildfire specialist with Washington County.

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