Ample moisture and cooler temperatures for Alaska and  Pacific Northwest states may keep 2009 fire potential in  normal ranges, but after multiple weeks of warm weather,  fuel supplies are drying out. Persistent drought conditions  may well drive significant wildfire risk for north-central  Washington, and the recent near-record spring dry spell is  boosting fire risk in western Washington as well. FEMA  Acting Regional Administrator Dennis Hunsinger encourages  residents living on wooded lots and wildland/urban  interface areas to stay informed on local conditions and take  steps now clearing brush and creating defensible perimeters  around their homes.

"Wildfires are unpredictable, and can start  and spread with incredible speed, so it's important  to go into this year's wildfire season with a  solid plan," said Hunsinger. "The time to discuss  wildfire warnings and evacuation strategies  with your local forestry and emergency  management officials is before wildfires rage."  FEMA recommends that residents take specific actions long  before an evacuation is necessary.  * Clear any flammable materials from around the home.  * Construct roofs and exterior walls from non-combustible  or fire resistant material such as slate, tile, sheet  iron, aluminum, brick or stone.  * Treat wood siding, cedar shingles, exterior wood paneling  and other highly combustible materials with fire retardant  chemicals.  * Clean roof surfaces and gutters free of pine needles,  leaves, and branches regularly.  * Space landscape plants to limit fire from spreading to  surrounding vegetation or structures.  * Maintain fuel breaks around all structures.  *Store gasoline only in approved containers, and well  away from occupied buildings.  * Store firewood and other combustibles away from  structures.  * Keep firefighting tools (such as ladders, shovels, rakes  and water buckets) handy, and water hoses connected.  * House numbers and all street signs should be clear of  overgrowth and always be visible.  * Clear roads and driveways of vegetation overgrowth so  fire vehicles have room to maneuver.  * Place a lawn sprinkler on the roof, which can be turned  on when evacuating to wet the roof.  It is also smart to keep important personal documents  quickly available should you need to evacuate. Consider  collecting your drivers license, passport and other identification,  birth and marriage certificates, Social Security card,  insurance policies, tax records, wills, deed or lease and  stocks and bonds. Also, know where your main turn-off  switches are for electricity, water and gas.

Another important step that FEMA recommends is preparing  an evacuation kit. Items should be put in a container  that can be easily loaded into a vehicle for a quick departure.  Items to include:  * Flashlight  * Battery-powered radio with additional batteries  * First aid kit  * Medicines, prescriptions and eyeglasses  * Water (at least one gallon per person and enough for  three days for each person in the household)  * Change of clothing  * Sleeping bags and pillows  * Cash and credit cards  FEMA also recommends that family members discuss how  to contact one another if the wildfire comes near when family  members are separated. Discuss evacuation routes and  identify relatives or friends outside the immediate area that  can be contacted. Finally, make sure your pets have collars  and identification tags and take your pets with you if you  need to evacuate. While some shelters won’t accept pets, an  increasing number of communities are organizing pet shelters  when large evacuations are necessary. Check with your  local Humane Society, animal shelter or veterinarian.