Driven by rising wildfire concerns, Thurston County is launching its first-ever protection plan under the leadership of Thurston Conservation District (TCD).
The Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) is slated for completion this year. It will establish a coordinated strategy to reduce wildfire risks across South Thurston County, with potential expansion northward.
The TCD is expected to work with state, federal and local partners to develop the plan, described as a “collaborative process” to reshape how the region anticipates, mitigates and responds to wildfires over the next decade.
The CWPP will serve as a blueprint for wildfire resilience and interagency collaboration to pinpoint fire risks and execute mitigation strategies.
The plan will zero in on high-risk zones, including telecommunications towers, schools, neighborhoods with fragile evacuation routes, and other vulnerable infrastructure.
In terms of funding and support, the CWPP is powered by Washington’s Climate Commitment Act (CCA), a cap-and-invest program mandated to fund climate resilience projects.
The CCA’s financial backing enables activities like risk assessment modeling, fire prevention programs and community-driven planning.
The TCD will lead the CWPP with support from the Washington Department of Natural Resources, Thurston County Emergency Management and local fire authorities.
Meanwhile, public utilities, local officials and Washington State Parks shall be in charge of infrastructure protection and land management.
At the same time, the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife and U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife Service shall address environmental and habitat concerns.
In tandem with emergency responders, the Washington State Conservation Commission shall coordinate with emergency response teams, and the Chehalis and Nisqually tribes shall contribute to traditional ecological knowledge.
Finally, nonprofit organizations, local farms and ranches and community members will be actively involved in securing that local priorities are reflected in the plan.
As stated by the TCD, community participation is central to the CWPP’s development. Multiple opportunities are available for residents to weigh in on fire preparedness strategies and voice local concerns.
An upcoming community engagement meeting is scheduled on Wednesday, March 5, at Littlerock Fire Station, 10828 Littlerock Road SW in Olympia.
The session is open to the public and will feature discussions on wildfire defense strategies, family-friendly activities and refreshments.
Further opportunities for stakeholder involvement are scheduled throughout 2025:
Residents are encouraged to RSVP for the March 5 session by emailing Jae Townsend at jtownsend@thurstoncd.com.
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