WINTHROP – Okanogan Conservation District, in partnership with Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Okanogan County Fire District 6, is holding a Firewise workshop on Saturday, Sept 24 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Winthrop Ice and Sports Rink located at 208 White Avenue, Winthrop, Wash.

Presenters from the conservation district, DNR, and local fire and emergency agencies will discuss ways to prepare one’s home and property for wildfire, and how to react when a wildfire is in the area. Attendees will learn about the Firewise Communities USA program and how to join together with neighbors to earn Firewise recognition for their communities.

There is no cost to attend the workshop and light refreshments will be provided. Sign-up sheets will be available for a free home site assessment conducted by conservation district staff.

The national Firewise Communities program is an interagency program designed to encourage local solutions for wildfire safety. The program offers simple ways community members can work together to prevent their properties from becoming fuel for a wildfire. Residents can reduce the risk of their home’s ignition by simply modifying their homes and immediate surroundings. With adequate planning and cooperation among homeowners, public agencies, and community leaders, wildfires can occur without disastrous loss of life, property, and resources. In Okanogan County, the Firewise program is coordinated by the Okanogan Conservation District in cooperation with Washington Department of Natural Resources.

For more information, visit www.okanogancd.org/firewise.