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