As County Commissioner, I am committed to reducing wildfire risk through a comprehensive plan focused on education, mitigation, and preparation. Read the details below. We CAN do better, together.

1. Education

Educating the community is crucial to wildfire prevention and preparedness. As County Commissioner, I will collaborate and establish public engagement to ensure everyone has the knowledge and tools they need to stay safe and insurable.

• Collaborative Awareness Campaigns:

  • Partner with organizations like Firewise, Wildfire Ready Neighbors, and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to educate citizens on wildfire preparedness.

  • Engage city and county neighborhood councils to enhance outreach and ensure that all communities are involved in wildfire education efforts.

• Firefighter Training & Public Engagement:

  • Support continuous training for firefighters, focusing on the latest wildfire strategies and tactics.

  • Promote and highlight firefighter training events to increase public awareness and demonstrate effective response techniques

• SREC Notification App Accessibility:

  • Provide comprehensive training on the Spokane Regional Emergency Communications (SREC) notification app to ensure residents can receive timely alerts.

  • Address the needs of deaf, blind, and senior citizens by ensuring the app is accessible to all, including multilingual resources.

2. Mitigation

Mitigation efforts aim to reduce the impact and spread of wildfires through strategic land use and fuel reduction.

• Enhanced Land Use Policies:

  • Identify areas and proposed developments at risk for wildfires and ensure that all necessary guidelines and codes are in place.

  • Implement and enforce regulations for development within the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) to minimize risks.

  • Integrate a wildfire risk category into the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) checklist and ensure compliance with the Comprehensive Plan and WUI Building Codes.

• Fuel Reduction Programs:

  • Increase fuel reduction initiatives on both public and private lands to lower the availability of combustible materials.

  • Encourage community participation in creating defensible spaces and managing vegetation to reduce wildfire risks.

• Joint Fire Operations:

  • Invest in joint fire operations in Latah and Five Mile so residents have life-saving response times and firefighters have the resources they need. 

  • Support and advocate for the creation of new fire stations throughout the region, working collaboratively with local firefighters and stakeholders.

3. Preparation

Being prepared for wildfires involves both proactive measures and readiness to respond quickly and effectively.

• Proactive Fuel Mitigation:

  • Implement comprehensive fuel mitigation projects to decrease the intensity and spread of wildfires.

    • Fire officials tour Upper Cemetery fire site, emphasizing proactivity during wildfire season.
    • Spokane’s Upper Cemetery fire could’ve been worse if crews hadn’t treated the area just one week before.

  • Focus on reducing risks and preparing high-risk areas through targeted action.

• Evacuation Planning and Drills:

  • Host annual Wildfire Community Preparedness Days to engage and educate the public.

  • Conduct mock evacuation exercises to ensure that residents are familiar with procedures and can evacuate safely if needed.

• Neighborhood Evacuation Plans:

  • Collaborate with city and county officials, law enforcement, and local communities to develop detailed and effective evacuation plans tailored to specific neighborhoods.

  • Ensure all residents have access to clear and actionable evacuation routes and procedures.

By prioritizing community involvement, enforcing responsible land use policies, and enhancing firefighting capabilities, Molly Marshall is committed to creating a safer and more resilient Spokane County.