Firewise Program Protects Homes, Habitats, and the Birds We Share Them With

Fire is a natural and necessary process in many of Washington’s landscapes. In ecosystems such as ponderosa pine forests and the shrubsteppe, periodic fires help recycle nutrients, stimulate new plant growth, and create mosaics of vegetation that support diverse wildlife communities, including many bird species.

However, decades of fire suppression, the spread of invasive annual grasses, expanding development, and climate change have significantly altered these natural fire regimes. In the Columbia Plateau’s shrubsteppe, fire intervals have shortened from 30–100 years to just 5–15 years. These more frequent and intense fires now pose increasing challenges for both human communities and native ecosystems. 

Wildfire preparedness is not about removing fire from the landscape, it’s about reducing risk, restoring balance, and building resilience.

Firewise USA

Firewise USA, a program of the National Fire Protection Association, helps communities become more wildfire‑resilient through education, planning, and on-the-ground projects that reduce hazardous fuels before a wildfire occurs.

Many Firewise practices benefit ecosystems as much as they protect homes. Replacing invasive weeds with native plants improves habitat quality for birds, pollinators, and other wildlife. Managing vegetation and maintaining healthy forests and grasslands increases ecological resilience, helping landscapes recover more quickly after fire.

Across Washington, birds rely on intact habitats for nesting, migration, and year‑round survival. By reducing the likelihood of severe wildfires and encouraging native vegetation, Firewise projects help safeguard both communities and the ecosystems that support birds, mammals, insects, and entire food webs.

Healthy ecosystems provide clean water, improve air quality, and make communities more resilient. Birds act as ecosystem indicators, signaling when landscapes are thriving or when they’re under stress. If you notice fewer birds in your area, it could indicate that the area needs more native plants, fewer invasives, and cleaner air and water. By reducing fuels, restoring native vegetation, and preparing homes for wildfire, residents strengthen both community safety and ecological resilience.

Take the Next Step

Washington hosts many Firewise USA communities. Explore them using the interactive map: https://arcg.is/10Xq4u4.

Becoming a Firewise community is not a one-time decision, it’s a commitment to ongoing actions that protect homes, build community resilience, and support the birds and wildlife that depend on healthy landscapes. Whether you’re a homeowner, renter, or community leader, you can start making a difference today.

5 bird-friendly Firewise actions you can take today:

• Plant native shrubs- choosing native, fire-adapted plants like snowberry and chokecherry supports Firewise landscaping goals by reducing flashy fuels while providing berries, nesting cover, and seasonal food for birds.
• Replace invasive grasses with native groundcover- removing cheatgrass and other invasive grasses and replacing them with native grasses can lower fire intensity and create habitat for birds.
• Create defensible space- Firewise defensible space doesn’t mean removing all vegetation. By spacing shrubs, limbing trees, and retaining patches of native plants, you reduce ladder fuels while keeping perches, foraging areas, and cover for birds.
• Plant native forbs and flowers- Firewise landscaping encourages low‑fuel, drought‑tolerant plants; by planting native forbs and flowers you are also supporting insect‑eating birds during nesting season.
• Add wildlife-safe water sources- a shaded bird bath or drip feature placed away from structures supports Firewise principles by keeping water features clear of vegetation while giving birds a reliable water source during hot, dry periods.

To learn more about Firewise USA and how you and your community can get involved, visit NFPA - Firewise USA® today!