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<br /> <br /> <br />Community Wildfire Protection Plan 2 September 2018 <br />1.1 Purpose <br />The purpose of the Kittitas County Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) is to accomplish the <br />following goals: <br />• Protect lives and property from wildland fires <br />• Instill a sense of personal responsibility for taking preventive actions regarding wildland fire <br />• Increase public understanding of the risks associated with living in a fire-adapted ecosystem <br />• Increase the community’s ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from wildland fires <br />• Restore fire-adapted ecosystems <br />• Create and maintain fire adapted communities <br />• Improve the fire resilience of the landscape while protecting other social, economic, and <br />ecological values <br />1.2 Mission <br /> <br />Wildland fire is a natural and necessary component of forest ecosystems across the country. Central <br />Washington is no exception. Historically, wildland fires have shaped the forests valued by residents <br />and visitors. Forests and other wildlands in Kittitas County, however, are now significantly altered due <br />to past forest management practices, fire prevention efforts, modern suppression activities, <br />residential development, and a general lack of large-scale fires. These activities have resulted in <br />overgrown forests—some with closed canopies and all with abundant ladder fuels that dramatically <br />increase the chances of large wildland fires that burn intensely and cause catastrophic losses. <br />Kittitas County has experienced decades of population growth and home building, which has led to <br />increased residential development into forests and into the WUI. This has in turn led to increased <br />risk of life and property presenting a challenge for fire protection, fire prevention, and law <br />enforcement agencies. <br />Although reducing risk of high intensity wildfire is the primary motivation behind this plan, managing <br />the forests and wildlands for hazardous fuels reduction and fire resilience is only a part of the larger <br />picture. Residents and visitors desire healthy, fire-resilient forests and wildlands that provide habitat <br />for wildlife, recreational opportunities, and scenic beauty. By establishing a more fire-adapted <br />community through work on private property and a more fire resilient landscape, the fire response <br />will be better integrated and successful. <br />The overall mission of the Kittitas County Community Wildfire Protection Plan is to protect against <br />loss of life, property, and natural resources as the result of wildland fire. The CWPP has met its <br />mission and continues to serve as the leading document providing direction and guidance to those <br />seeking to protect the resources of Kittitas County.