SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. – The Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) has received a $2,500 grant from the Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network Opportunity Fund, managed by the Watershed Research and Training Center. The funds will support the department’s ongoing efforts to increase awareness and education about wildfire risks in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI).
“The funding SVFD receives through continued levy support from our property owners and grants from community partners like Fire Adapted Communities are essential for our ability to train, educate, and develop programs for wildfire mitigation within the Wildland Urban Interface. Thank you,” said Deputy Fire Marshal Brett Anderson.
The Spokane Valley region faces unique fire risks due to its combination of dry summers and expanding residential development into wooded and semi-wooded areas. These conditions create the WUI, an area particularly vulnerable to wildfires sparked by natural events such as lightning strikes or accidental causes like unattended fire pits.
SVFD trains year-round to prepare for these wildfires, focusing on swift suppression techniques to minimize property damage. The department also prioritizes proactive education to help residents reduce the risk of fire in their communities.
With the newly awarded grant, the SVFD plans to host a “Wildfire Education Town Hall” in early 2025, in addition to expanding its community outreach and educational activities related to wildfire prevention.
For more information, visit the Wildfire Awareness page on the Spokane Valley Fire Department website.
