FIREWISE

AT CASCADE RIVER PARK

Upcoming Firewise Clean up Scheduled TBD.

WHAT IS FIREWISE?

The Firewise USA ® program provides our community with a framework for reducing the risk of wildfire. Meeting the criteria for becoming a Firewise USA ® community helps homeowners and renters get organized and find direction for their wildfire safety efforts.

Wildfire Mitigation Efforts

As we migrate into spring season at Cascade River Park, and with a drier summer season predicted, there has been a renewed focus on wildfire mitigation efforts to keep our park safe and our shared forest healthy. Below is information and important dates if you’d like to participate.

Firewise Update & Upcoming Community Grant

In 2024, CRCC was officially reinstated as a Firewise Community, thanks to the dedication and involvement of our residents. A big thank-you goes out to all our volunteers—great job!

You may recall that earlier in 2024, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) conducted private lot fire risk assessments and offered micro-grants to individual property owners.

During this time, I also learned about a federally funded grant opportunity for community-wide roadside cleanup in 2025. Based on our recent Firewise activity and involvement, DNR recommended CRCC as an eligible community for this project.

The grant is entirely administered by DNR. They will manage the bidding process, select and oversee the contractor, and handle all payments. The attached letter is the latest update from DNR, showing we're getting closer to securing this benefit for our community.

Fire season is a real and growing threat in our forested environment—please don’t underestimate the risks.

At CRCC, the safety of life and property is always a top priority.

This upcoming grant project will significantly improve safety and enhance our community experience. We’ll continue to share updates as we learn more!

— David Mireault, CRCC Firewise & Water Comittee Chair, CRCC Treasurer

A Message From WA State Department of Natural Resources - Northwest Region

CRCC Spring Ladder Fuel Cleanup

There is still federal grant money allocated and available for the fuel reduction project along HOA owned right-of-ways within Cascade River Park. We are still moving forward with developing a revised draft of the contract to reflect required changes that were recently implemented. I will pass the draft along when it is ready for review. In the meantime, I have attached a draft map of the project area. The area highlighted in red displays the mutually owned right-of ways derived from the county tax parcel layer. The total acreage for this area is 30.4 acres. I understand that some work has been already been done in a portion of the mutually owned acreage. Specifically the area around the bathrooms and a couple other common areas. If possible please highlight any areas on the map that have already been completed. I can then subtract that area to come up with a more precise acreage for the contract.