A Spot of Tea and a Lesson in Fire Safety at Bogachiel Garden Club Event

February 5, 2026 1:30 am
The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Firewise program helps communities reduce wildfire risks through education, defensible space creation, and ignition-resistant building techniques. It offers financial assistance, technical support, and the Firewise USA® recognition program to help neighborhoods and individual homeowners prepare for wildfire season.
The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Firewise program helps communities reduce wildfire risks through education, defensible space creation, and ignition-resistant building techniques. It offers financial assistance, technical support, and the Firewise USA® recognition program to help neighborhoods and individual homeowners prepare for wildfire season.

The Bogachiel Garden Club held its Annual Tea in Forks on Saturday, Jan. 31. Attendees came from various areas from Western Washington, including the Washington State Federation of Garden Clubs President, Dorrie Carr.

Members of the Department of Natural Resources presented a program of Landscaping for Fire Prevention and reviewed the July 2023 Forks Fire, and continued to identify ways homeowners can landscape to reduce the threat of fire, from removal of trees near the home, avoiding plants and dry foliage around the home, as well as not building a fence connected to one’s home

Firewise Washington refers to the national Firewise USA® program applied in Washington state, a community-based initiative supported by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to help residents reduce wildfire risk through education, planning, and action, focusing on creating defensible space and ignition-resistant homes, with support from entities like DNR and local fire departments. The goal is for neighborhoods to work together to create safer environments by tackling fuel reduction, vegetation management, and emergency preparedness.

Garden Club members dusted off their best china to decorate the many tables, complete with centerpieces, memory gifts and of course, tea cups—no need to keep your pinky up!

Garden Clubs are located in all 50 states and have expanded internationally. This fabulous program was accompanied with great food, door prizes, and much more. If one is interested in joining the Bogachiel Garden Club, please call Janet at 360-640-1401.