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Skagit County proclaims May Wildfire Awareness Month and Soil & Water Stewardship Week; conservation groups and students honored
Summary
The board declared May Wildfire Awareness Month and April 27–May 4 Soil & Water Stewardship Week by unanimous votes. County and partner representatives urged residents to prepare for wildfire and highlighted local stewardship programs and a school poster contest.
The Skagit County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously April 29 to proclaim May as Wildfire Awareness Month and April 27–May 4 as Soil & Water Stewardship Week, actions the board said aim to increase resident preparedness and support local conservation education.
Robert Walters, community wildfire resilience specialist with the Skagit Conservation District, told the board the district’s wildfire programs and outreach have increased local engagement. "The efforts on your behalf are producing fruit," Walters said, thanking the commissioners for the proclamation. Chief Julie De Losada, Skagit County Department of Emergency Management, urged residents to sign up for county alerts and emphasized that even small local fires can produce burn scars that later affect flooding. "It can happen in Skagit County. It can happen early in the year," she said, citing an April 5, 2024, 50‑acre fire near Lyman as an example.
Commissioners and partner representatives highlighted prevention and community programs such as Firewise, DNR resilience work, and local micro‑grants for treatments and thinning. Several county officials and conservation partners asked residents to reduce vegetation near homes and to take advantage of available assessments and Firewise resources.
The board also recognized winners of the Skagit Conservation District’s annual soil and water stewardship poster contest and presented awards to student artists. District manager Emmett Wilde and education outreach lead Cindy Pierce summarized contest participation and local outreach programs, noting the contest supports classroom conservation education.
Votes: Both proclamations were moved, seconded and carried 3–0.
Ending: Commissioners said they will continue to publicize preparedness resources and partner programs and encouraged residents to use the county and conservation district web pages for details on Firewise, wildfire resilience and stewardship events.
