Surveys to assess likelihood of wildfires

Some Spokane County residents soon will be asked to participate in a survey intended to help public officials reduce the risk of wildfires.

The survey, conducted by Northwest Management Inc., of Moscow, Idaho, will ask homeowners about construction materials in their homes, proximity to water sources and other fire-safety factors.

Northwest Management was hired by Spokane County and the Washington Department of Natural Resources to prepare a countywide Community Wildfire Protection Plan as part a federal effort under the Healthy Forests Restoration Act.

Mitigation specialists are to offer recommendations for reducing the danger in areas prone to wildfires.

Northwest Management’s Tera King, co-manager of the project, said a committee of local, state and federal officials will schedule public meetings in March to review preliminary findings.

For more information, contact King at (208) 883-4488 or Janean Creighton at the Spokane County Extension Office, 477-2199.