Chelan County Updating Hazard Mitigation Plan, Taking Public Comment Until Dec. 31
In order to better identify and plan for future natural disasters, Chelan County is looking for feedback on their Hazard Mitigation Plan. And the opportunity for public feedback has now been extended through the end of the year. Marcus Bellissimo reports.
Photo: Chelan County Natural Resources Dept. wildfire hazard risk map
I am concerned about wildfires. It is very difficult to imagine an effective evacuation in Wenatchee given our valley roads, and there seems to be high danger of fire coming from the west (Mission Creek) into town and spreading by embers. I suggest we expand our fire wise program to fire wise neighborhood assessments; especially those on the west side of town. One way might be to recruit networking people in the neighborhoods to go through training and a home assessment with the Chelan County District , then invite their neighbors to do a walk about throughout the neighborhood with the fire district assessor followed by an informal meeting in the networkers home. Individual home fire wise work is only as good as your neighbors. Also this could be an opportunity to identify vulnerable people who might have trouble getting out, inform people about any financial assistance with the costs of fire preparation to their home, encourage people to prepare in case evacuation is needed and strengthen neighborhood connection. Also is there a way to identify fire safe areas to reach in town if the roads are blocked? Are there such places?