– Fire mitigation funding is under-publicized and underutilized in Washington’s Cascade Range
– The Fire Resiliency and Forest Restoration Fund provides money for safeguarding vulnerable towns
– Despite last year’s devastating wildfires, many are unaware of this financial aid
Missed Opportunities for Wildfire Mitigation
In the wake of wildfires that whipped through Washington’s Cascade Range, many residents, like Don Pratt, find themselves in the uncomfortable position of wondering if they might have been able to save their homes if they were better informed. As towns evacuated and smoke shrouded the sky, literal firewalls were thrown up by firefighting crews, but what about preventative measures?
A potential lifeline lies in the Fire Resiliency and Forest Restoration Fund, which offers financial support to communities vulnerable to wildfires. However, many residents and local authorities in the vulnerable regions are barely aware of its existence or how to make use of it.
Fighting Fire with Funding
Established by the state, the Fire Resiliency and Forest Restoration Fund aims to help towns invest in fire mitigation strategies. With wildfire seasons getting longer and more destructive, the fund proves crucial in offering financial aid that supports strategic planning, forest management, and community safeguarding against the recurring threats of flames and smoke.
Access to such funds could drive transformative change, but their underutilization is a burning issue. The lack of publicity around these means that they’re often overlooked, and the funding stays largely unstirred.
The Breezy Take
Guarding against wildfires is understood to be more than just a bucket of water and a prayer. However, when it comes to accessing funding for safeguard measures, our friends in the Cascade Range are left in the dark, fumbling around for resources they aren’t aware of. It’s commendable that such funds exist, but it’s a disservice that they’re hidden under a bushel. For the homes and lives at stake, it’s high time to shed some light on the resources at hand and urge relevant entities to utilize these to protect their communities.
Original article: https://missouriindependent.com/2023/08/18/towns-could-save-themselves-from-wildfire-if-they-knew-about-this-money/