WASHINGTON — May 4 is Wildfire Community Preparedness Day. Even in Washington, those on the frontlines of wildfires said they are now prepared year-round.

“We’re seeing fires in areas that we don’t anticipate. We are seeing fires a time of the year that are uncommon,” said Michelle Steinberg, Wildfire Division Director for the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

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Now is a good time to identify fire hazards around your home. Some ideas include cleaning out dry debris in your gutters and clearing out overgrown vegetation around your home.

“This is basically trying to address what ends up being fuel for the wildfire in our communities which can be anything from the structures themselves to the vegetation on our landscapes,” said Steinberg.

According to the NFPA, wildfires destroyed nearly 32,000 structures in the last five years across the country. Most were homes. That number is expected to rise as more communities are built in wildfire-prone areas.

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According to the Insurance Information Institute, 173,659 acres burned in Washington in 2022.

In 2023, Washington ranked 10th in the country for the number of homes at risk for extreme wildfires with more than 54,000 housing units in danger.

“You want to be doing these projects well ahead of time and they are things that can be incorporated into your home maintenance and your community activities,” said Steinberg.

Preparation may not only save your home, but it could also help crews dealing with such a dangerous and unpredictable situation.