Firewise Community Newsletter - August 2025
August 2025, V5
Now that we are officially a Firewise USA community, a nationally recognized site, we have our signs displayed at both entrances of the LRAA for neighborhood recognition.
SAVE THE DATE!
Community Chipping Event
We heard your feedback from the Spring Chipping Event and it’s back on the schedule! Official date to be announced. Again, this is a complementary service to LRAA residents!
MICROGRANT UPDATE
We were awarded another $4,000 Firewise USA Micro grant for 2025! This is a total of $12k in 3 yearly microgrants. This year, the HOA Firewise Committee used the micro-grant to build a Fire Resilient HOA Member Tool Library! You all soon have access to use the tool library that is housed at the HOA fire hall. We have invested in several new pieces of equipment such as electric chainsaws, weedwhackers, trimmers, and blowers. There will also be an expanded selection of tools like rakes, wheelbarrows, shovels and more to help with your Firewising efforts.
The Firewise Committee is hard at work building out the library. Stay tuned for more details and how you can start to check out tools and equipment soon!
IMPORTANT REMINDERS DURING PEAK FIRE SEASON
Department of Natural Resources says NO power tools between 8 PM - 1 PM during Burn Ban!
Details on the Ban
Industrial Fire Precaution Levels (IFPL) | Department of Natural Resources
Industrial Fire Precaution Levels Map
https://fortress.wa.gov/dnr/protection/ifpl/
Lost River Airport Association is part of section 687 W. Effective 07/07/2025 at 0001 hours, Level 2 - Partial Hootowl. The following may operate only between the hours of 8 p.m. and 1 p.m. local time: Power saws (except at loading sites); cable yarding; blasting; welding or cutting of metal.
HELP US MAINTAIN OUR FIREWISE CERTIFICATION!
Please track your hours of Fire Mitigation Work on your property.
Please share how many hours you have put into making your property more fire-resilient. We get to use these hours towards our Lost River Airport Firewise community hours. These hours give us access to neighborhood micro-grants and free programs, such as the chipping day or dumpster days in Oct. If two or more people worked, then add everyone hours separately so we record all total hours. Please email all your hours LRAA.business@gmail.com.
A NOTE FROM ELI LOFTUS
Wildfire and Community Resilience Lead
Okanogan Conservation District
If equipment has to be operated, like a mower, it should be done before the heat of the day comes into full effect, ideally no later than 10 AM.Treat areas where equipment has been run like you would a doused campfire, check it regularly after you're done, and be prepared to douse incidental ignitions. Have extinguishers and water handy. If the device doesn't have a spark arrester built in or has one that isn't functioning properly, it shouldn't be used during fire season. Washington does have an industrial fire precaution level system that limits when certain activities can occur.(https://dnr.wa.gov/ifpl). A good rule of thumb is to refer to the burn restrictions map put out by DNR (https://dnr.wa.gov/wildfire-resources/outdoor-burning/burn-restrictions) and to check the burn portal (https://burnportal.dnr.wa.gov). While these maps typically refer to burning restrictions, they're a good indicator of when heightened caution should be utilized when operating equipment if IFPL hasn't been implemented yet.
With firearms, ignition is most likely to be caused by a bullet striking an object and creating a spark via a ricochet.Ignitions from incompletely burned powder are possible, but unlikely, especially if the gun and ammunition are well maintained. Gunpowder ignites at varying temperatures that are well above what could be produced by natural heat sources. If folks are going to shoot, they should avoid rocky areas, refrain from using metal targets or those that contain Tannerite and other combustibles, have solid backstops with no vegetation or rocks, and use regular firearm safety procedures. Ideally, if you're not at a designated outdoor range with proper safety procedures and features, or an indoor range, I would recommend refraining from recreational shooting altogether during the height of fire season.
Looking to the fire season, this year has a high potential for fire across the county and state.Conditions are drying faster than normal. This is the time that folks need to be vigilant and thoughtful about their actions on the landscape. If they haven't done so already, now is the time to do basic home hardening practices like moving fuel sources (firewood, cardboard etc.) away from structures and ensuring any landscaped vegetation is properly watered. Discuss evacuation plans in your household and with neighbors.
FREE MONEY FOR DOING FIRE MITIGATION WORK ON YOUR PROPERTY
We are now Firewise Certified Site and the benefit to becoming a Firewise neighborhood is we have an opportunity to receive funding to help make our neighborhood safe from fire through your individual contributions. And you, as property owners, can earn money doing the mitigation work. See the program details at https://www.dnr.wa.gov/cost-share.
Please note that nothing will ever be done to private property without the consent from the owner. It is your personal choice to participate.
Also you can schedule a FREE IN PERSON FIREWISE HOME ASSESSMENTS with Okanogan Conservation District and Department of Natural Resources. To schedule an assessment, email Eli Loftis at eli@okanogancd.org.
HOW TO STAY INFORMED ON FIRES & SMOKE IN THE AREA
Firewise resources for the upcoming summer…
If you’d like to stay informed on when fires are near us and evacuation levels you can sign up for Okanogan County alerts. It’s great to know whether you’re a part-time or full-time resident. Links can also be found on the LRAA Home page.
Okanogan County Emergency Management
AirNow - Air Quality Monitor App
Purple Air - Air Quality Monitor App (There’s a Purple Air monitor at LRAA.)
Inciweb - Up to date fire reports
National Interagency Fire Center - Fire tracking map
Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Facebook
From Your LRAA Firewise Committee