How to prepare for wildfires — now and for the future

Wildfires require proactive measures on multiple levels: during crises, before the next fire season, and over the coming decades. Climate change is exacerbating the underlying risk, affecting everything from evacuation plans to forest management and emissions reduction. In the Pacific Northwest, the current wildfire season is the most active in recorded history, according to climate scientist Daniel Swain. Washington and Oregon have already burned more land than ever recorded in a full wildfire season.

The immediate aftermath of a wildfire often involves discussions about evacuation plans, but these conversations can quickly be sidelined. This shift in focus can lead to a psychological response where people prioritize managing their fear of the risk rather than actively managing the risk itself. To counter this, Claire Rapp, a Colorado State University scientist, recommends writing down evacuation tasks ahead of time, including preparing a go-bag and arranging for medications and pets.

Preparing for the next wildfire season involves making homes less vulnerable by clearing flammable materials from within five feet of the structure and ensuring vents don't allow embers inside. Broader community measures include reducing nearby fuels and implementing building and land-use practices suited for wildfire-prone areas.

Regardless of the cause of a wildfire, the basic preparedness approach remains the same. Hot, dry, and windy conditions play a significant role in determining whether an ignition turns into a catastrophic event.

At a governmental level, addressing wildfire risks over longer timeframes is crucial. Policies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions can help limit future warming and constrain the growth in wildfire risk. This year's severe fire season in the Pacific Northwest may heighten the urgency for federal legislation aimed at mitigating wildfire severity.

The bipartisan Fix Our Forests Act, which has passed the House and cleared the Senate's Agriculture Committee, aims to accelerate forest management, enhance community preparedness, and improve coordination among governments. This marks the first time such significant legislation has progressed through Congress, offering hope for more effective wildfire preparedness in the future.