Wildfire Resiliency & Forest Health

At Pine Creek Conservation District, we strategically leverage our programs to help the communities most at risk for wildfire devastation in our service area.

Having experienced the 2020 Babb Road Fire, our communities understand the importance of community wildfire prevention and planning. Multiple communities in our district have been identified in the Whitman County Community Wildfire Protection Plan as having high wildfire risk due to the unique topography and semi-forested landscape. Additionally, the small, rural communities we serve rely on volunteer fire departments and have limited access to public woody waste management.

Highlights

Brush management project with private landowner

Since beginning of our Wildfire Recovery & Resiliency Program in 2023, we have

Hosted / attended 10+ local events promoting wildfire prevention & recovery
Recruited and trained staff to offer Home Wildfire Risk Assessments to residents
Engaged with all town councils & fire departments in our district to increase awareness of the Whitman County Community Wildfire Protection Plan and to encourage community wildfire planning & mitigation
Funded two seasons of goat grazing to reduce fine fuels on ~80 acres in the Town of Malden
Restored 15 acres of land that burned during the 2020 Babb Road Fire in partnership with WA Department of Natural Resources
Contracted with a local forester to complete six forest stewardship plans for private landowners and two community wildland fire hazard potential maps

Available Services

These services are available free-of-charge to landowners and community residents within our district boundaries. Click here to learn which Whitman County district you reside in.

Community Events & Workshops

We work with various local partners such as town of Malden, Pine Creek Community Restoration, Whitman County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), the Phoenix Conservancy, & Rosalia Fire Department to help guide community wildfire mitigation & recovery efforts in our rural communities.

Topics have included:

Lessons in Resiliency: Reflections from the Malden Fire
Emergency Preparedness Planning
Biochar demonstrations

Interested in helping host an event? Reach out!

Home Wildfire Risk Assessments

We offer home wildfire risk consultations including recommendations for fuel reduction, defensible space planning, and fire-resistant landscaping.

Get scheduled for this service below!

Chipping & Fine Fuels Reduction

We offer chipping services to reduce the amount of flammable debris on your property and around your home.

Have neighbors in need of this service, too? Ask about our chipper days!

Forest Health & Stewardship Plans

We want to work with you to improve tree health, maximize forest production, and minimize wildfire threat.

These plans provide a strategic, actionable roadmap for your forest stand management and are an important step in developing a future fundable project on your property.