The Catalyst for Action

The Bear Gulch 2 Fire in the summer of 2006 served as a wake-up call for the Lake Cushman community, highlighting the very real threat of a major wildfire impacting our area.

In response, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) partnered with local resident Leonard Allott (Doc) to develop a Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP). This effort officially designated Lake Cushman as a Firewise Community. Shortly afterward, the Lake Cushman Firewise Council was formed to deliver ongoing Firewise education and support to residents.

The Firewise approach is straightforward: by applying proven Firewise principles, property owners can significantly increase the likelihood that their homes and properties will survive a wildfire. Given that Lake Cushman is surrounded by dense forests with high fuel loads, these measures are critically important for protecting our community.