Reducing Wildfire Risk Through Research-Based Education
Engaging university-trained volunteers to empower and sustain diverse communities with relevant, unbiased, research-based horticulture and environmental stewardship education. Read about Extension Master Gardeners in the news around Washington state.
Building Defensible Space Knowledge in Spokane County
WSU Extension Spokane County Master Gardeners delivered science‑based education on fire‑resistant landscaping and home‑hardening practices to help residents protect their homes and communities. This work is especially critical in Spokane County, which faces some of the highest wildfire risk in Washington due to its extensive Wildland‑Urban Interface. Research shows that up to 80 percent of homes lost to wildfire could have been saved through proper vegetation management and the creation of defensible space—knowledge Master Gardeners are actively helping residents put into practice.
In 2025, Master Gardener volunteers reached 67 residents through three educational events and assisted an additional 263 individuals who sought guidance through plant clinics and outreach activities. These efforts helped community members understand how thoughtful landscape planning and routine maintenance can significantly reduce wildfire risk.
Post‑class surveys showed strong learning gains. Participants reported a 44 percent increase in understanding the heightened fire danger in the Wildland‑Urban Interface (WUI) and a 45 percent increase in knowledge about the ecological role of fire in local ecosystems. They also demonstrated a 48 percent gain in understanding how to create defensible space around structures and how the zones of fire defense work to slow or stop the spread of wildfire.
Through accessible education and personalized guidance, Master Gardener volunteers are helping Spokane County residents take practical steps to reduce wildfire risk, protect their homes, and strengthen community resilience.
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