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Firefighters urge property owners to prepare homes for wildfire season

Wildfire season is here and firefighters across Washington state are training hard to keep us safe. But you can play a part in fire safety, too.

Firefighters with the Washington State Department of Natural Resources said you should prepare your property for wildfire season.

Tall grasses, pine needles, leaves, plants or packed garden beds close to your home can be the wick to the candle and easily catch your house on fire if wildfires are near.

Firefighters said the best thing you can do is try to rid your property of these, especially within five feet of your home. This area is called the defensible space.

"What are we going to do if there is fuel stacked all up around your house and the fire is there? It's not something that we can handle," said Nick Jeffries with the Washington Department of Natural Resources.

"Firefighters are going to show up to the house and not feel safe, and if they're not safe, the likelihood of them being able to save and protect your home lessens," he added.

Jeffries also said you should be smart this wildfire season since many wildfires are started by humans.

Even if a burn ban is not yet in place where you live, that doesn't mean it is smart to burn, Jeffries said.

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