South Wallowa Lake
Firewise® Community
Who are we?
On May 7, 2022, the South Wallowa Lake Community will host our first Firewise® action event when we will demonstrate how to install 1/8-inch metal mesh around a homeowner’s deck to help prevent flying embers. The project will provide an opportunity for the Firewise® community to learn the process and spread the information across the community.
Funds to pay for the demonstration mesh came from a $500 Wildfire Community Preparedness Day grant funded by the National Fire Protection Association and State Farm Insurance. Grants are currently our only method of funding. While we did not receive a grant in the first round of state Firewise® projects, we will continue to pursue funding of projects to educate our owners about Firewise® readiness.
Wildfire has been a concern of property owners at Wallowa Lake for a number of years, culminating in the creation of the Wallowa Lake Rural Fire Protection District and the building of the fire house at the Lake on Mt. Howard Lane. The fire district contracts with the City of Joseph to provide fire coverage. Owners at the lake have long sought ways to thank our Joseph Fire Department volunteers.
Probably one of the best ways any property owner can help its volunteer fire department is to create a fire defensible area around structures. These defensible spaces help protect structure from fire and help firefighters do their job.
With these concerns, Tom Groat, WLRFPD board member, and his wife Janet, Wallowa Lake Property Owners Association secretary, approached Wallowa Resources to find out how to being a Firewise® program for the lake. After two meetings, it was clear that hiring a Firewise® Coordinator for Wallowa County could help property owners immensely. And, the South Wallowa Lake Community needed a strong council of volunteers to seek Firewise® certification and begin fire projection projects and education. Most initial council volunteers came from the WLPOA. In addition to these people, special representatives were recruited to identify unique problems to their area.
