Walla Walla to use FEMA funds before disaster
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WALLA WALLA, Wash. - Walla Walla has seen its share of large fires in recent years. Most notably the Eureka Fire almost two years ago.
Cheryl Linden said, "It was devastating when I saw those beautiful Evergreens go up in flames."
The area below the Blue Mountains is constantly threatened and small fires spark up from time to time.
She continues, "The back of our property, there was a gentleman, he started a fire and it went wild."
Her house was spared and now federal grant money will be used to try to minimize the risk. The county's Emergency Management team along with Walla Walla Fire District 4 will launch their Fire Defensible Space Hazard Mitigation Project on July third.
More than $120,000 will be spent to clear debris in the most hazardous fire region of the county, Mill Creek just below the Blue Mountains.
Creating a protective clearing around rivers and streams is the first priority. Without that, Walla Walla's water supply could be cut off if a large fire contaminated it. Money will also pay to help homeowners build fire safe zones at no cost to them.
Director of Emergency Management Jim Duncan said, "If you don't feel like you're in danger, you're not going to invest all that money to remove all the trees, brush and debris when if you can get a little bit of assistance and you're informed about it then you'll want to do it."
Cheryl Linden is all for the clearing but doesn't want the area to change too much.
"I love Mill Creek as it is, but I can see where there could be some problems."
FEMA's help now might avoid needing it in the future.
Education is also a huge part of the grant funds. Emergency Management will hold several meetings for residents to teach them what they can do to protect their homes.
Cheryl Linden said, "It was devastating when I saw those beautiful Evergreens go up in flames."
The area below the Blue Mountains is constantly threatened and small fires spark up from time to time.
She continues, "The back of our property, there was a gentleman, he started a fire and it went wild."
Her house was spared and now federal grant money will be used to try to minimize the risk. The county's Emergency Management team along with Walla Walla Fire District 4 will launch their Fire Defensible Space Hazard Mitigation Project on July third.
More than $120,000 will be spent to clear debris in the most hazardous fire region of the county, Mill Creek just below the Blue Mountains.
Creating a protective clearing around rivers and streams is the first priority. Without that, Walla Walla's water supply could be cut off if a large fire contaminated it. Money will also pay to help homeowners build fire safe zones at no cost to them.
Director of Emergency Management Jim Duncan said, "If you don't feel like you're in danger, you're not going to invest all that money to remove all the trees, brush and debris when if you can get a little bit of assistance and you're informed about it then you'll want to do it."
Cheryl Linden is all for the clearing but doesn't want the area to change too much.
"I love Mill Creek as it is, but I can see where there could be some problems."
FEMA's help now might avoid needing it in the future.
Education is also a huge part of the grant funds. Emergency Management will hold several meetings for residents to teach them what they can do to protect their homes.
