Summer 2026 Newsletter
Be Firewise!
Fire season is approaching!
Times have changed on our forested island with drier summers and hotter temperatures. It’s time to take fire danger seriously and prepare our homes. Research demonstrates that embers blowing from fires are one of the biggest threats to structures (1). These embers can blow a mile or more ahead of a fire, and as they find debris, they cause new fires. If this debris is in your gutters, on your roofs, along your foundation, under your decks, embers will find it and start a fire that could grow to engulf the entire structure. Embers can find their way into vents and ignite debris or insulation in your crawlspace or attic. Embers that start a shrub on fire under a window can cause the glass to crack and provide another avenue for fire to get inside and destroy a home.
(1) Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety and the USDA Forest Service
Here are some things to do to prepare:
SIGN UP FOR PC ALERT
All communication during a wildfire will come from either PCALERT or your neighborhood coordinator (see aiprep.us) via the AI Fire Department.
How to sign up for PC Alert: Open a new text - To: 888777 - In the message write: PCALERT
PREPARE YOUR PROPERTY
Clean debris from roofs and out of gutters
Trim all vegetation at least 5 feet from house
Rake flammable debris (pine needles, dry leaves, bark mulch) at least 5 feet away from foundations
Consider gravel or pavers to make a nonflammable zone around your house
Store all stacked firewood at least 30 feet away from the house
Trim bushes and low hanging tree branches so there is at least 10’ between the top of any bush and the bottom branch of the tree
Try to keep only fire resistant vegetation between 5 and 30 feet from the house
Install “ember screens” (metal ⅛” or smaller) in all house vents, including foundation vents, roof vents, plus at the leading edge of decks that are close to the ground
Clean out flammable debris and other items from under decks
Keep lawns near the house mowed short in the summer
If possible, maintain a 10-foot radius around propane tanks clear of anything combustible and remove tree branches hanging over your propane tank
In the event of a fire warning or conditions are hot and dry:
Move all flammable items off your deck and away from the house
Move BBQ propane tanks at least 30’ away from the house
MORE INFORMATION
Prepare your home and property according to Firewise Homeowner Instructions
In recent fires, the houses that were saved all had some basic fire prevention tips in common.
During a Wildfire
Communication
Only listen to evacuation information through PCALERT or your neighborhood coordinator texts (from the AI Fire Dept). Facebook may not have the latest information.
Evacuation information
If evacuation is ordered, people and pets will have ferry priority over cars so be prepared to carry everything you need. Flotillas from neighboring islands are being organized to aid in evacuations.
Carpool to the evacuation site
DO NOT PARK ON ROADS - they must stay clear for emergency vehicles
DO YOU HAVE YOUR GO BAG READY YET? Remember, in an evacuation, you can only bring what you can carry. Click here for what to include
OTHER AI PREPARES NEWS
Non-Profit Status for AI Prepares
Anderson Island Prepares is now a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with Kathy Nussbaum as President, Jim Cook as Vice President, Jeremy Kamel as Treasurer, Greg Suddeth as Secretary, and other board members serving in other functional areas for the program.
May 2nd - First Hour Training
It was a busy Spring for
Anderson Island Prepares!
May 2 - First Hour Training! Read about it here
May 16 & 30 - Red Cross training by Greg Suddeth on food distribution, the organization of shelters and disaster assessment of homes. Read about it here
June 4 - Wildfire Prevention and Response Meeting! Read about it here
June 7 - New repeater is up! Read about it here
June 8 - We have a new interactive map on our website. Check it out here
July 1 - Building Wildfire Resistance! Read about it here Read about it here
Dates to Remember
September 12: Anderson Island Safety & Preparedness Fair & Open House - Fire Station
October 17: The Great Washington Shake Out Day. Anderson Island will join millions of people worldwide in conducting an earthquake drill.
Please let Kathy Nussbaum (kathy@aiprep.us) know if you would like to volunteer at one of the above events.