Wildfire Prevention and Fire Safety

While communities on the western side of the Cascade Mountains have enjoyed historically low wildfire risk and smaller, slow-moving fires, it is important to understand that wildfires can occur anywhere and any time throughout the year.

Wildfire potential is always higher during periods with little or no rainfall, which make brush, grass, and trees dry and burn more easily. 

Protecting yourself today means having sources for information, preparing your home or workplace, developing an emergency communications plan, and knowing what to do when a wildfire is approaching your home or community. 

On this page, you will find information to help keep you, your family, and the community safe. 

General Prevention and Fire Safety Tips

Fires need three things to sustain itself: fuel source, heat, and oxygen. If any of those variables are removed, the fire can't continue. Watch this short video about how fires work. 

Early detection of a fire and notification are key. Call 9-1-1 if you see fire or smoke. First Responders would rather respond to small fires, or suspected fires, rather than large ones.

During the warmer months, be aware of things in your yard which may be more susceptible to fire: 

• Bark fires can start by spontaneous combustion related to the decomposition of the material. If you have large amounts, rake often and keep moist. 
• Keep your yard green if you can and when it’s safe to mow, mow it down to the lowest level that your lawn mower will allow.
• Sparks from lawn mowers can start fires, so avoid mowing when its dry or windy.
• Some glass yard ornaments may act like magnifying glass to wood during sunny days.
• Improper disposal of ashes, charcoal, and smoking debris accounts for a large number of fires. 
  • Make sure that the debris is completely extinguished. 
  • Place in metal container away from the house and soak with water. 
  • Do not place ashes or charcoal in rock areas, greenbelts, or in a area where the wind could blow ashes around.  

During warm, dry seasons, have hoses ready in case something does accidently start. 

Sign up to receive alerts via Mercer Island's Emergency Alert System. 

Creating Defensible Space

Defensible space is essential to improve your home’s chance of surviving a wildfire. It’s the buffer you create between a building on your property and the grass, trees, shrubs, or any wildland area that surround it.  

This space is needed to slow or stop the spread of wildfire and it protects your home from catching fire – either from direct flame contact or radiant heat. Defensible space is also important for the firefighters defending your home. 

• Remove long grass, weeds or anything that can burn from around homes.llustrating defensible fire space.
• Remove limbs that touch buildings or hang near the roof.
• Remove dead plants or bushes as soon as possible.
• Keep roof and gutters clear of pine needles and leaves.
• Move trash, recycling, and yard waste bins away from the home.

Fire Prevention in the Home

• Know where you fire extinguisher is and how to operate it.  Make sure that it is not expired (around 5 years).
• Check your smoke detector batteries every 6 months. Replace smoke detectors every 10 years.
• If you have a fire sprinkler system or required fire alarm system, make sure it is annually serviced by a Fire Protection Company.
• Know your exit plan and practice it… really practice.  Children need to know where to go and never to reenter the structure for any reason if there is a fire.
  • Make a meeting place.
  • Have more than two exit routes.
• If you are using candles make sure they are on non-combustible surfaces or in non-combustible containers.  Keep away from areas prone to being knocked over.  Extinguish when not home.
• Never put a grease fire out with water.
• Take care in not overloading electrical outlets.  Use multi-plug power strips with circuit breakers.

​Fire Prevention in Mercer Island Parks and Open Space 

Parks, open space, and Island forests are managed by ecologists and arborists on staff. Click here for the Pioneer Park Forest Management Plan.

To reduce fire risk, park visitors should:

• Extinguish cigarettes completely, put in garbage cans
• Never ignite fireworks and sparklers
• Dispose of BBQ ashes in designated ash cans
• Park in designated paved/gravel areas, never on vegetation

Fire Prevention on the Road

• Vehicles should park on pavement or gravel without vegetation.  Numerous fires start from heat produced by hot metal underneath vehicles.
• A large amount of roadway fires occur from dragging trailer chains or vehicle brakes.  Make sure that your vehicle brakes are checked if squeaking or in need of repair. Secure chains so they do not drag on the pavement.
• Check your tire pressure before driving. Exposed rims can create and throw sparks.

Note: All recreational fires (the only type allowed on Mercer Island) require a permit from the Fire Marshals Office- free permit.  The permit outlines the specifics of the fire.  These include location from buildings, lot lines and trees, size, and precautions the owner must take.

More wildfire safety tips and information is available at America's PrepareAThon: How to Prepare for a Wildfire