More residents are taking proactive steps to protect their homes and property from wildfire. The state added 32 new firewise communities in 2016, including six in Yakima County and four in Kittitas County. The communities use fire safety practices to clean up forests and surrounding areas to protect their homes and reduce wildfire risk. Washington ranked third in the U.S. with 142 firewise communities. The state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking about $12 million to create 80 more this year.