The San Juan Island Fire Department has a new focus to help residents protect their homes from wildfire. In previous years, the Firewise team aided communities in joining the National Firewise program, which concentrates on communities as a whole.

The program’s new emphasis is to assist property owners in protecting their homes from a major wildland fire and learning how to survive such a fire. That new direction began March 3, as six Firewise specialists canvassed Hillview No. 3 Firewise Community and, along with homeowners, evaluated the neighborhood’s homes and grounds. Property owners were given advice about the best way to maintain driveways, outbuildings and adjacent structures, and general fire protection steps.

Property owners benefit from those evaluations by learning effective and inexpensive steps to better protect their home, property and family from fire. Following those steps also helps firefighters better protect property and neighborhoods.

Whether you live in a Firewise Community or not, islanders can participate in this no-cost program, request an evaluation or learn more about the Firewise program by contacting Ron Garner, firewise coordinator, at 378-7722 or rggarner@centurytel.net.