Wildfire Awareness Day this Saturday, May 7th

In recognition of Wildfire Awareness Day this Saturday, May 7^th, the Bainbridge Island Fire Department along with the City of Bainbridge Island and the Map Your Neighborhood Team at Bainbridge Prepares is encouraging residents to make their properties Firewise. By creating a defensible space around your home you build a sufficient buffer to slow or halt the spread of fire.To reduce ember ignitions and fire spread, trim branches that overhang the home, porch, and deck and prune branches of large trees up to 6 to 10 feet (depending on their height) from the ground. Remove plants containing resins, oils, and waxes. Use crushed stone or gravel instead of flammable mulches in the Immediate Zone (0 to 5 feet around the house) and remember to keep your landscape in good condition.A number of Map Your Neighborhood groups across the Island will have yard refuse dumpsters staged for free use. Acceptable yard debris includes: tree trimming/branches, weeds, leaves, house/garden plants, and brush. Speak with the MYN captain in your neighborhood to determine if you’ll have a dumpster on site. If not, make sure any refuse left on site is safely away from your home and that of your neighbors'.Additional information on Firewise best practices can be found online here: Firewise Bainbridge Island Fire Department (bifd.org)