“A wise person adapts to circumstances, like water shapes itself to the vessel that contains it.”
– Chinese Proverb
photo: Steve Mitchell, mitchellimage.com
The Methow Valley is Fire Country!
Tucked in the dry eastern side of the North Cascade mountain range, the Methow Valley is an expansive, rugged landscape that is both fire-prone and fire-dependent. Fires are Mother Nature’s housekeeper - clearing out built-up fire fuels (excess, dead, and dying vegetation). Today though, with increased fuel build up, drought, extreme weather events, and more homes being built in the forest and shrub steppe, fires are often more destructive than they are beneficial.
Dr. Paul Hessburg, a renowned U.S. Forest Service research ecologist, says we’re living in “an era of megafires.”
In this video he emphasizes that living resiliently in this era necessitates accepting and making changes that may seem wrong by traditional standards. The goal is to return fire country to conditions that enable lower-intensity fire to do its job.
How can we live safely in fire country where the dominant force is nature itself?
Our homes and towns cover less than 10% of the Methow Valley landscape. Living here safely and responsibly requires adapting — understanding the risks and taking action to better prepare for, respond to and recover from wildfire. There are many things you can do to prepare and to help protect what you love in this valley.
Everyone has a role to play before, during and after a wildfire to help make the Methow Valley community and environs wildfire resilient.
Who’s Involved in Community Wildfire Adaptation?
See what we and our partners are doing to help and support Methow Valley community members to thrive in an era of megafires.
Find the information, resources, organizations and people that are best suited to help with your wildfire related questions and needs.