Dear Editor:

 

Last updated 9/16/2020 at 8:35am



This year’s fire season, in terms of severity and numbers of fires, is a scary and devastating reminder that we live in fire country. The Cascade mountain range and the normal summertime temperature differences between western and eastern Washington are underlying causes for our wildfire season. But, an equally important part is the temperature rise during this century.

Whether you believe in climate change or not, we all know that our fire season is more severe than previously. Each “biggest fire yet” becomes eclipsed by the next year’s bigger fire. When the Forest Service started tracking fires, a big fire was considered over 5,000 acres. On Sunday the Cold Springs Fire in the Okanogan Valley was listed at almost 189,000 acres and only 45% contained. Quite a difference.

Wildfires are a natural part of our ecosystem, but we can take steps to limit the devastation to life and property by being proactive.


Okanogan County is revising its comprehensive plan and must include appropriate and preventive responses to wildfires. The county and fire districts have instituted Firewise checks for property and businesses. But, we a need more all-encompassing look at the wise things to do to save what we all love about our communities. 

We need a collective discussion about what we value and how we can preserve those values for ourselves and our children. There are different opinions on what is best for Okanogan County, but we have a lot of common ground. We need to start with our common values and acknowledge that we are living in a different time than fifty years ago. We need a consensus-led approach that implements proactive changes to our “business as usual” mode of operation.

Some Okanogan county commissioners do not believe they should lead by example, saying “I’m not going to tell people what to do.” Frankly, I elected my commissioner to be a leader because they are the executives of our county. 

It is time to start the conversation for the next steps to preserve our lifestyle and manage wildfire impacts. District 2 Okanogan County Commissioner candidate Katie Haven believes the county can and should have a more responsive approach to wildfires. Vote for this much needed style of leadership.

Sharon Sumpter

Winthrop, WA

 

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