Friday, October 2, 2026
A five-year tally of 305 fire calls, three evacuations and two burns inside a protected wildlife preserve prompted the Thurston Conservation District to confront years of ignition threats.
For the first time, the county released a wildfire protection plan for south county. The proposed plan, titled the South Thurston Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP), was released this month and is now available for public review through June 30.
Tenino, Bucoda, Grand Mound, parts of Rainier and surrounding undeveloped areas are all covered by the proposed wildfire protection plan. It involved coordination between local fire districts, the Washington Department of Natural Resources, emergency services and members of the public.
The draft plan identifies wildfire risks using datasets that evaluate vegetation fuel types, fire service coverage, road access, housing patterns and past ignition data.
There were at least three wildfire events in recent years, according to the CWPP, that forced evacuation orders. One of those fires burned more than 200 acres. Two fires happened inside the “Scatter Creek Wildlife Area,” which has burned more than once since 2018.
In terms of fire hazard mapping, the CWPP employs risk overlays and GIS modeling to classify landscape-level vulnerabilities. It introduces fire hazard maps that use slope, brush type, structure location and weather exposure to figure out which neighborhoods could be in danger. Places with thick grass, single-lane roads and nearby forests were flagged for higher risk.
When it comes to what fuels the fires, the plan calls out cheatgrass and Scotch broom as contributors to fire intensity and rate of spread.
The species are categorized as “fine, flashy fuels” or fast-burning plants that spread easily and grow along roads, empty lots, and open land. The plants can carry flames quickly from fields to homes, especially in dry months like July, August and September.
When addressing fire response capabilities, fire response coverage comes from Fire Districts 1, 6, 11 and 12, plus Tenino’s fire department. The agencies have handled emergencies of more than 400 square miles, with most of the teams relying on volunteers or part-time staff.
The plan indicates that in many parts of the wildland-urban interface, where homes meet forests, response times may exceed 20 minutes.
The CWPP also reviews other vulnerabilities.
In many parts of South Thurston, homes lack both defensible space and fire-resistant roofing. The wildfire plan says the housing clusters have “only one way in or out," raising life safety risks when wildfires close in on evacuation routes.
To address access limitations, the CWPP details narrow rural roads, unpaved driveways over 150 feet and bridges with weight restrictions. The barriers limit how fast fire engines and water tenders can reach ignition points.
The wildfire plan flags neighborhoods near Skookumchuck Valley and Offut Lake for having poor access that could delay emergency help.
The CWPP also looked at how people would escape during a fire. It found some homes in Tenino and Bucoda are built on dead-end roads with no backup exits. The plan tags the areas for egress route clearance and fuel reduction projects.
Emergency communication gaps are also addressed in the plan, wherein some rural zones of south county lack cellular network coverages. Other zones even lose power during wind or heat events, which makes it hard for residents to get emergency alerts.
The draft plan suggests getting more people signed up for the county’s mass notification system and adding signs along main roads.
Meanwhile, the CWPP lists many ways to reduce risk. In its mitigation strategies, the CWPP recommends shaded fuel breaks, thinning brush near roads and better water access like “dry hydrants.”
The proposed plan also suggests helping residents harden their homes like making changes to include metal roofing or clearing debris around buildings.
Described as a “living document," officials say the CWPP shall be revised as conditions change as new fires occur, treatment projects are completed, or land use changes.
Crafting the plan also helps the county qualify for grants.
The wildfire plan adheres to federal rules under the Healthy Forests Restoration Act. It means Thurston County can now apply for wildfire safety funding from Federal Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Forest Service or Washington State Department of Natural Resources. Implementation, however, depends on funding availability and inter-agency coordination.
The CWPP is up for review and responses may be shared through the official CWPP public comment page.
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SecondOtter
Thank you. I live in an area that has seen several wildfires in the last few years and they are incredibly dangerous. HIgh winds during drought periods, people using fireworks, people throwing lit
cigarettes out their car windows, even a logging truck dragging a chain that set off sparks...all have been causes of wildfires.
We get virtually no cell service here. When I was a kid growing up, the local fire department was staffed by volunteers and would blow a siren when a fire was happening, but I've never seen it here.
What is needed, desperately, is a burn ban that takes effect mid June. Currently it's 15 July but that's much too late. By then the grasslands are dry, the forests are dry and of course the folks who absolutely have to blow up things (called fireworks) and release ''sky lanterns" for the week before and after the 4th of July.
I hope that this plan addresses such things as "where to go in case of a wildfire." Just getting into a car isn't enouogh..- the fire department, the sheriff,the DNR are too busy fighting the fire to direct homeowners evacuating the fire zone. Where to go? People have their pets, their horses, a place that accomodate a LOT of cars, trucks and trailers: they need a place where there's a restroom, (because a wildfire coming at your home or YOU is enough to make you pee your pants) where a cell signal is strong and steady, where the fire Department can tell you what's going on, that sort of thing.
I am glad that this is beginning to be addressed. And if you live in an area where you 'think' you won't be affected by a wildfire, guess again. Just look at the fires in CA...those were subdivisions that burned to the ground.
Friday, May 30, 2025 Report this
Virge13
Thank you for this info. The hope is that everyone will look at the map and other resources and develop a solid plan for protection and evacuation. According to the map, where I live has very little danger of fire. Historically. It’s a heavily wooded area with lots of dead end streets and could turn into a very dangerous situation. This might be where neighbors start talking to one another and make some community plans for evacuation. Start researching those places that could offer shelter, parking and other amenities. Assess vehicle availability. Keep in communication with neighbors……
Saturday, May 31, 2025 Report this
Southsoundguy
“Waaaa people celebrating a long-standing tradition that I need to ruin!”
Saturday, May 31, 2025 Report this
MisPeeps
We need to take a serious look at banning all fireworks in Thurston County. As our environment has become drier more and more fires are started by fireworks on or near July 4th.
There's just no need for fireworks and the detriments outweigh the entertainment factor.
Our veterans of war are often traumatized by the noise, ALL our wildlife is traumatized and displaced by the noise and lights. And it is the number one time for pets to go missing when running from loud noises. The day after 4th of July is when the most dogs are missing of the whole year.
I'm fairly certain we can entertain ourselves without starting fires.
So that's been fireworks and Thurston County like other counties around us have done.
Tuesday, June 3, 2025 Report this