Fire season preparations begin in the Chelan Valley; seasonal firefighters to be hired

Chelan Fire and Rescue Fire Chief Brandon Asher, left, Assistant Chief Shawn Sherman and Firefighter Sam Belsky, Nov. 9, 2024 at the scene of a fire training in Chelan.

Spring has sprung and with it comes the realization that wildfire season is around the corner. It's time to consider doing more than planting and cleaning.

Wildfire protection around home and property tops the list for local firefighters.

"We'll take a look at your home; we'll take a look at the grounds surrounding your home and we'll point out things that you guys can do to help harden your home in case there's a wildfire," said Chelan Fire and Rescue Assistant Fire Chief Shawn Sherman in announcing complimentary home and property inspections. "It is an amazing impact what you can do to your own property to help prevent fire from destroying it."

"When somebody spends time to clear their property, to get it FireWise and fire ready, it not only sets their property up for success, but it sets up the community for success," Chelan Firefighter Sam Belsky added. In proactively placing defensible space around structures and property, "It sets us up for success to be able to really aggressively fight that fire as best that we can."

In preparation for the upcoming fire season, Chelan Fire and Rescue is accepting applications for seasonal firefighters. Find out more on the Chelan Fire and Rescue website here.

In  addition to bringing new seasonal firefighters on staff, Assistant Chief Sherman says Chelan Fire and Rescue acquired a water rescue vessel, gifted to them from Pasco Fire.

"The plan right now is to put that boat in service, put it out in Manson, and Manson is going to help re-enforce our marine response program, Sherman said. "It will be another thing we get to do to collaborate with the Manson Fire Department."

Then news of the close to $15,000 given by the community to the Chelan firefighter’s recent stair climb in Seattle for Leukemia and Lymphoma Society cancer research.

"There is teams from all over the U.S. that go and participate and Chelan Fire and Rescue managed to break the top 20 for funds raised," Belsky shared in appreciation to those that donated to the fundraising event. "We really couldn't make that possible without the support of our members, or of the community."

Now, the firefighters will 'pay it forward' with a complimentary home and property survey. Contact Chelan Fire and Rescue to schedule your visit.

In Okanogan County, the Long Term Recovery Group was formed in the wake of the wildfires 10 years ago that destroyed homes across Chelan County and in the City of Pateros. The 2020 Cold Spring/Pearl Hill fires did similar damage to Okanogan and Douglas counties, including the City of Bridgeport.

Wildfire resiliency suggestions are available in the Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) compiled by the Okanogan Conservation District.