SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. — A new wildfire mitigation project in the Dishman Hills Natural Area is working to prepare for the next wildfire season.
Experts said the area has some trouble spots. County and state organizations expect the project to take about six months to increase fire resiliency.
Spokane County said based on historic logging and other human activities in the area, it has created a melting pot of environmental issues.
“That has led to generational tree species all of the same age, packed in a densely spaced area, fighting for the same water and light,” Daniel Maus, a natural resource specialist for Spokane County Park Operations, said.
Spokane County said as those trees mature, the area becomes more susceptible to struggling competition with trees and plants dying, diseases and invasive beetles – which all lead to hazardous scenarios for wildfires.
With fires known to start in the area, like the debris and area, environmentalists say they want to protect the diverse forest, animals and homes nearby.
Projects will include forest density reduction, management of encroaching ladder fuels, wood thinning and bark beetle infestation prevention.
"Fuel reduction work is where we go in and we remove excess fuel loading or excess brush, small diameter trees [and] limit some of the trees,” Jessica Walston with the Department of Natural Resources said.
This allows for more space between trees, which makes it harder for wildfire to spread rapidly.
"I’m excited for park users to see the transformation to occur," Maus said. "The trees are going to be a lot healthier and more open spaces to enjoy.”
This summer, Spokane County, the City of Spokane, the Dishman Hills Conservancy, and the Department of Natural Resources have created the new Spokane County Wildfire Mitigation Coalition to outsource wildfire efforts and educate the local communities about the Dishman project.
DNR is also allowing landowners to request a Wildfire Ready Home Visit. This is where a landowner can request a Fire Professional to walk around their home and property and discuss how to increase fire resiliency. Neighbors near Dishman Hills Natural Area will receive mailers, providing instructions to request a Wildfire Ready Home visit.
The Department of Natural Resources said the project is expected to begin at the end of October and to be completed by next May to prepare for the summer season. Spokane County says to keep an eye out for intermittent trail closures as the project gets started.