Chelan County Commissioners Examine & Potentially Tweak Wildland-Urban Interface Code

Chelan County commissioners have added a Wildland-Urban Interface code review to their to-do list. The county has been working on the code over the course of a year alongside the Fire Marshal's office.

"What we look at it is construction, what are the construction techniques that can be utilized? Maybe finer screening in attic spaces so embers can't get into those spaces," said Commissioner Kevin Overbay. "The other part of it is, encouraging folks to make sure that they have the necessary barriers."

Necessary barriers include greenspace and plantings that are fire resistance. Roofing materials used within the Wildland-Urban Interface area will also be examined. Commissioner Overbay added the review of the code will include an educational element, such as necessary barrier information, for those that reside in impacted areas.

"As well as taking a look at standards that we currently have and changing some of those to ensure these structures are able to survive," said Overbay.

The county is also working with entities such as the Department of Natural Resources for healthy forest treatment projects to combat wildfires.