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Living with wildfire in Chelan County Fire District #3, Chelan County, Washington: 2022 data report

Suzanne Wittenbrink·Colleen Donovan·Julia Goolsby·Patricia A. Champ·Dave Nalle·Hannah Brenkert-Smith·James R. Meldrum·Christopher M. Barth·Carolyn Wagner·Chiara Forrester
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Abstract

Community wildfire readiness includes homeowner wildfire risk mitigation and wildfire evacuation preparedness. In 2021 and 2022, the Wildfire Research (WiRē) Center partnered with Chelan County Fire District #3 (CCFD #3) to learn how CCFD #3 can effectively engage with residents about preparing for a wildfire event and mitigating wildfire risk around the home. The CCFD #3 residents were responsive to the household survey (38% response rate). Respondents reported being aware of wildfire risk and having taken action to mitigate risk on their properties and prepare for evacuation. However, residents’ perceptions of property-level wildfire risk did not align with wildfire assessments conducted by trained assessors. Residents may benefit from financial assistance to support proper mitigation and educational outreach.

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Suzanne Wittenbrink, Colleen Donovan, Julia Goolsby, Patricia A. Champ, Dave Nalle, Hannah Brenkert-Smith, James R. Meldrum, Christopher M. Barth, Carolyn Wagner, Chiara Forrester. 2025. Living with wildfire in Chelan County Fire District #3, Chelan County, Washington: 2022 data report. https://doi.org/10.2737/rmrs-rn-105

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