Darrington Fire District #24

06/12/2026

Do you know what to do if your neighborhood is evacuated? Understanding evacuation levels is a vital step toward enhancing public safety during emergencies. Evacuations can happen within city limits or in surrounding areas for many reasons.

Key points to remember:
Evacuation Levels Defined: Evacuation levels are designed to communicate the degree of threat an emergency poses. Each indicates the urgency of the situation and the necessary preparedness steps.

Level 1 (Be Ready). Prepare for potential evacuation.
Level 2 (Be Set). Make sure you have everything ready to leave. The risk of evacuation is higher.
Level 3 (Go Now). Leave now. The situation is most urgent.

Staying Informed: Familiarize yourself with local news sources, emergency alerts, and official communication channels for updates on evacuation levels during critical events.

Emergency Plans: Develop and practice a family emergency plan that includes evacuation routes, meeting points, and communication strategies.

Community Resources: Engage with local authorities and resources to learn about designated evacuation routes, shelters, and emergency contact information.

Residents contribute to a safer and more resilient community by educating themselves about evacuation levels. It is the collective responsibility of every individual to stay informed and take the necessary actions to ensure personal safety and the well-being of their neighbors.

06/08/2026

Good afternoon Darrington Residents and Visitors,

Todays helpful wildfire lesson is learning and understanding what the National Fire Danger Rating System (NFDRS) means.

If you are curious on, what todays Fire Danger Rating is anywhere in the state you can check out this Washington State Department of Natural Resources link https://fortress.wa.gov/dnr/protection/firedanger/

The National Fire Danger Rating System (NFDRS) is a fire assessment system used in the United States to provide a daily estimate of wildfire risk in an area. The NFDRS uses a set of equations with variables that include weather, local topography and fuel types, and humidity to calculate an area’s daily fire danger index

The NFDRS has five levels of fire potential. You may see the levels represented on color-coded dials in parks and wildland areas, with an arrow indicating the fire danger level for the day. These displays help the public understand local wildfire risk based on current weather and environmental conditions. Wildland visitors can see if it is safe to have a campfire, forest workers may take extra precautions when using equipment that sparks, and homeowners may postpone burning debris based on the fire danger level for that day.

Low (Green)
Fires are unlikely to start under these weather and fuel conditions without intense heat sources. Any fires that start will spread slowly, remain at a low intensity, and be reasonably easy control and extinguish.

Moderate (Blue)
Some wildfires may ignite at a moderate size and intensity. Controlling wildfires at this level is not difficult. Light to moderate mop up will be enough to manage these fires. Controlled burns can be performed under these conditions but should be executed cautiously.

High (Yellow)
Weather and fuel conditions mean that wildfires are likely. Wildfires in areas with heavy, continuous fuel, such as mature grassland, fields, and forest litter, will be hard to control if there are high winds. Directly attacking the fire may be difficult. Careful mop up is essential.

Very High (Orange)
Fires will start easily, and suppression efforts may not be able to keep up with the spread. Flames will be large, intense, and hard to control. Containment, suppression, and mop up will take a lot of work. Outdoor burns are not recommended.

Extreme (Red)
Wildfires can start and spread quickly under these conditions. Any fire has the potential to become huge and uncontrollable. Fire behavior is likely to be extreme and erratic. Hence, there should not be any outdoor burns if fire danger in the area is extreme.

06/01/2026

Good morning residents of Darrington,
This summer we will be giving out helpful tips on how to prepare yourself, your family, and your home to be ready for wildfires. We would like to encourage all residents regardless of being within city limits or the surrounding rural areas to take this information and utilize these helpful tips to help make your home and community Fire Ready!

Today’s tip will be on home ignition zones.

To increase your home’s chance of surviving wildfire choose fire-resistant building materials and limit the amount of flammable vegetation in the three home ignition zones. The zones include the Immediate Zone: (0 to 5 feet around the house), the Intermediate Zone (5 to 30 feet), and the Extended Zone (30 to 100 feet).

Immediate Zone: The home and the area 0-5’ from the furthest attached exterior point of the home; defined as a non-combustible area. Science tells us this is the most important zone to take immediate action on as it is the most vulnerable to embers. START WITH THE HOUSE ITSELF, then move into the landscaping section of the Immediate Zone.
- Clean roofs and gutters of dead leaves, debris and pine needles that could catch embers.
- Clean debris from exterior attic vents
- Repair or replace damaged or loose window screens and any broken windows Screen or box-in areas below patios and decks with 1/8th wire mesh to prevent debris and combustible materials from accumulating.
- Move any flammable material away from wall exteriors: mulch, flammable plants, leaves and needles, firewood piles – anything that can burn. Remove anything stored underneath decks or porches.

Intermediate Zone: 5-30’ from the furthest exterior point of the home. Landscaping/hardscaping- employing careful landscaping or creating breaks that can help influence and decrease fire behavior.
- Clear vegetation from under large stationary propane tanks.
- Keep lawns and native grasses mowed to a height of four inches.
- Remove ladder fuels (vegetation under trees) so a surface fire cannot reach the crowns. Prune trees up to six to ten feet from the ground; for shorter trees do not exceed 1/3 of the overall tree height.
- Tree and shrubs in this zone should be limited to small clusters of a few each to break up the continuity of the vegetation across the landscape.

Extended Zone: 30-100 feet, out to 200 feet. Landscaping – the goal here is not to eliminate fire but to interrupt fire’s path and keep flames smaller and on the ground.
- Dispose of heavy accumulations of ground litter/debris.
- Remove dead plant and tree material.
- Remove small conifers growing between mature trees.
- Remove vegetation adjacent to storage sheds or other outbuildings within this area.

05/27/2026

Darrington Firefighters Association is hosting the 3rd annual Music in the Mountains fundraiser! The auction items are incredible, the food is delicious, and weather is looking promising! 🌤️

The association sponsors the town events you know and love including the fishing derby, Easter egg hunt and the 4th of July Parade!

See you there! 🎶 🏔️ 🚒

https://buytickets.at/darringtonfirefightersassociation/2115081

05/25/2026

Today, we pause to remember and honor the men and women who gave their lives in service to our country.

Memorial Day is more than a long weekend. It is a time to reflect on the cost of freedom and to recognize the families who carry the weight of that sacrifice every day.

As a community we are grateful for those who answered the call but never came home. Their courage, service, and sacrifice will not be forgotten.

From all of us at Darrington Fire District #24, we wish you a safe and meaningful Memorial Day.

05/21/2026

This week, members of Darrington Fire District #24 and Oso Fire Department joined together to train on wildland fire response operations.

As we head into warmer and drier conditions, training like this is critical for maintaining a coordinated response between neighboring departments, especially in the rule enforested areas we serve. Crews focused on fire attack tactics, apparatus operations, communications, and safety.

We are grateful for the opportunity to train together and strengthen the teamwork that helps protect our communities.

05/17/2026

Congratulations to FF/EMT Tyler Scott Skelton on successfully completing the South Skagit County Fire Academy.

Over the past 18 weeks, Tyler has put in a tremendous amount of time, effort, and commitment while balancing the demands of academy life, work, family, and service to the community. Through that work, he has earned Firefighter 1, Firefighter 2, Hazmat Awareness, and Hazmat Operations Certifications.

We are proud of Tyler and grateful for his continued dedication to growing as a firefighter and EMT. This is a big accomplishment, and it represents the kind of commitment our communities depend on.

We also want to extend our sincere appreciation to the academy staff, instructors, and everyone involved in making this training possible. Your investment in the next generation of firefighters makes a real difference.

Congratulations, Tyler. Well done!!!

If you're interested in learning more about what it takes to be a volunteer with Darrington Fire District #24, please reach out to our office. We'd love to chat!

05/13/2026

This week is National Police Week, and we want to take a moment to recognize and thank all Law Enforcement officers who are serving .

In our rural community, the relationship between Fire/EMS and Law Enforcement is pretty simple. Together, we answer the call on people’s worst days, in bad weather, in the middle of the night, and usually somewhere alongside a dark highway, a back road, or a driveway few people can find, even with GPS.

We may wear different uniforms, but the goal is the same: help people, protect our communities, and get everyone home safe at the end of the day.

We’re so thankful for the deputies with the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office we work beside every day, especially out here where teamwork and trust matter a lot.

Most importantly, this week is about honoring the officers who gave their lives in the line of duty and remembering the families, friends, and coworkers who are still carrying that loss.

We sincerely thank you for your service and sacrifice. Stay safe out there. 💙🚓🚒 ❤️

05/04/2026

Today, on International Firefighters’ Day, we take a moment to pause and say thank you to those who give their time, energy, and skills to serve others on days that are often anything but ordinary.

Long nights, missed time with family, tough assignments, showing up when challenges arise... it can all add up, but firefighters all over the world continue to answer the call.

A special thank you to the volunteer firefighters of Darrington Fire District 24. You balance family, work, and life, yet still show up for your community when it matters most. That kind of service doesn’t go unnoticed.

To all firefighters, career and volunteer, thank you for your dedication, your sacrifice, and your commitment to keeping our communities safe.

01/27/2026

This is a developing situation. We will update when more info becomes available.