When homeowners plan landscapes, there are so many things to think about. They must consider what materials to use, how the position of the sun affects their plants, what type of soil works best for their flowers and how much fertilizer to use in their vegetable beds. As we face an ever-changing climate, homeowners on the Olympic Peninsula should consider how their landscaping choices may affect their home’s viability in a wildfire.

The Green Thumb Education Series presentation “Firewise Landscaping” will be held in person and via Zoom on:

Thursday, February 23rd from noon – 1:00 p.m. at the:

Clallam County Courthouse – 223 E. 4th Street in Port Angeles in the:

Commissioners’ Meeting Room.

Find a direct link to the Zoom Presentation here.

Or join by phone: 253-215-8782
Meeting ID: 936 2989 8830
Passcode: 676224

Join Washington State Department of Natural Resources’ Wildland Fire and Forest Health Specialist Blake Mann for the Green Thumb Education Series presentation “Firewise Landscaping” to find out how you can help safeguard your home from wildfires with appropriate landscaping techniques.

Blake will be answering some of the following questions:

How close should tree limbs be to your roof?

Which plants and shrubs are risky to plant near your house?

How do “fire breaks” work?

What is a “home ignition zone”?

Blake has the answers and will discuss ways homeowners can help prevent fires around their homes.

Blake will go into detail about what he looks for when he “triages and preps” houses during a fire. “Pre-prepping your home with gardening and sprinkler systems saves us a lot of time and can save your house from a wildfire. This also includes the plants and landscaping you choose to have on the property,” Blake said.

Blake started with the fire service right after graduating from Port Angeles High School in 2016 when he joined the Port Ludlow Fire and Rescue team as a resident fire fighter and became certified as an emergency medical technician. In addition, he served with Brinnon Fire and Rescue, and has worked for a local arborist service as ground support. Blake works for the Olympic Region DNR, serving as an Engine Leader and Fire Prevention Specialist.
Aside from fighting fires, he really enjoys hunting and fishing.

The “Green Thumbs Garden Tips” education series, sponsored by the Washington State University Clallam County Master Gardeners, is held on the second and fourth Thursday of each month through October. In November, December, and January, one lecture is offered. Scheduled presentations are subject to change. Visit the WSU Extension Clallam County website calendar for the latest information on upcoming presentations. For questions, call 360-565-2678.