Hot weather, lack of rain make for dangerous fire conditions
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DUVALL, Wash. -- Western Washington residents rarely complain about a lack of rain, but fire officials in some areas are doing just that after going more than three weeks without a drop of precipitation.
Combine that lack of rain with warm temperatures and you have a recipe for fire.
The wildfire danger in King County is moderate right now, but that's expected to increase as dry weather continues. Officials from the Duvall fire station are trying to get the word out about some of the challenging firefighters have to face before they even get to the flames.
Duvall firefighters cover an area that spans roughly 52-square miles. Officials want to make sure those who call Duvall home have proper address signs -- especially if they have a long driveway -- so crews don't have to waste time guessing if they have right house in a fire situation.
Trees should never be lower than 15 feet tall on driveways, because those low trees make it difficult for fire trucks to get through. Perhaps most importantly, firefighters ask homeowners to keep brush around their homes trimmed.
Bruce Smith has called Duvall home for decades, and the former firefighter understands the importance of making things easier on fire crews.
"People don't realize how critical it is until an emergency arises," he said.
Being prepared and acting quickly can make all the difference. During the first stages of a fire, officials say it double every minute.
"This could easily turn into a wildfire," said Duvall firefighter Jared Shoop. "It can happen right here in the valley. It's not just eastern Washington or California."
Combine that lack of rain with warm temperatures and you have a recipe for fire.
The wildfire danger in King County is moderate right now, but that's expected to increase as dry weather continues. Officials from the Duvall fire station are trying to get the word out about some of the challenging firefighters have to face before they even get to the flames.
Duvall firefighters cover an area that spans roughly 52-square miles. Officials want to make sure those who call Duvall home have proper address signs -- especially if they have a long driveway -- so crews don't have to waste time guessing if they have right house in a fire situation.
Trees should never be lower than 15 feet tall on driveways, because those low trees make it difficult for fire trucks to get through. Perhaps most importantly, firefighters ask homeowners to keep brush around their homes trimmed.
Bruce Smith has called Duvall home for decades, and the former firefighter understands the importance of making things easier on fire crews.
"People don't realize how critical it is until an emergency arises," he said.
Being prepared and acting quickly can make all the difference. During the first stages of a fire, officials say it double every minute.
"This could easily turn into a wildfire," said Duvall firefighter Jared Shoop. "It can happen right here in the valley. It's not just eastern Washington or California."
"Take the dirt road for haff a mile or so and you cometo a fork-in-the road. It's a real wooden fork resting up against a tree there. Keep going. Go bouts a korter mile furtha til you see anotha fork in the road.  There is three ways you can go so go down the middle road. when ya get to the nex fork you'll see the address nailed into a tree on your left about 12 feet up it. Keep going. Stay to your right and we'll be waitin for ya on the left."
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@Spoofmenot. It's the branches. The trucks and ambulances will get damaged going in there if they can even make it at all. It has to be wide enough too. Thats another problem altogether and mud in the rainy season.
Guess that means we're finally getting some summer. ;) All that aside, use common sense people! Don't do anything reckless or stupid that can start a fire!
Glad the big family camping trip was when the fire danger was still low. Â Nothing worse than a charcoal camp fire. Â Be safe, folks. Â We don't need to be putting our fire fighters at risk.
We are all doomed.
 @brewzbrothers I'll drink to that :)