About CWA in Washington
Washington’s Community Wildfire Ambassador (CWA) approach began as a collaboration between the Washington Resource Conservation and Development Council (WRCD) and the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to engage residents in locally-led wildfire mitigation and risk reduction practices.
Adapted from Wildfire Adapted Partnership and Fire Adapted Colorado’s Neighborhood Ambassador Program, the CWA approach in Washington will align with the Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network’s fire adapted communities principles. Using this approach, activities and programs can be tailored to the needs and context of a community while still meeting the overarching purpose of engaging residents in fulfilling their role in living with fire.
The Community Wildfire Ambassador approach aims to build community and empower neighborhood volunteers to strengthen wildfire resilience in their place by providing them with training, tools, and support. The CWA approach is a proven methodology that fosters local leadership, collaboration, and knowledge sharing to help communities become better prepared for future wildfire events.
Meet the people behind CWA
Charlie Landsman
Washington Department of Natural Resources
Charlie Landsman started in Fire Adapted Communities work after witnessing the destruction of the Waldo Canyon fire in Colorado Springs in 2012. As a strong believer in local place-based solutions, he began conducting social science research into global best practices for residents to reduce the loss of lives and property before, during, and after wildfires.
Starting his career in 2016 with Wildfire Adapted Partnership as the La Plata and San Juan County Coordinator, he is intimately familiar with the Fire Adapted Communities Ambassador Approach even witnessing the success of community action during the 416 fire in Durango, CO in 2018 where a Firewise USA® community with strong Ambassador leadership was tested by a 55,000 acre fire. They lost no lives or structures. Watch a video about the 416 fire.
In 2022, Charlie joined WA DNR as a Community Resilience Coordinator covering Asotin, Benton, Columbia, Franklin, Garfield, Klickitat, Skamania, and Walla Walla Counties and leading state efforts to bring the Community Wildfire Ambassador Approach to local organizations across the state.
Keegan Fengler
Washington Resource Conservation and Development Council
Keegan Fengler brings over 20 years of experience as an educator, collaborator, and coordinator in the natural resources field. She joined the Washington Resource Conservation and Development Council (WRCD) in 2022 as a Program Associate for the Washington Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network (WAFAC) and now serves as the Program Manager.
Before joining WRCD, Keegan spent 14 years as a Senior Lecturer in Geological Sciences at Central Washington University, where she focused on teaching about natural hazards both in the classroom and the field. Her transition from academia to community-based work was driven by a passion for supporting locally grounded, place-based solutions.
Keegan thrives on facilitating learning, sharing, and training opportunities that help strengthen community connections across Washington State. Her work continues to deepen her understanding of the state’s diverse communities and enhances their capacity to support one another in adapting to wildfire and other natural hazards.
Our Roles in CWA
Our roles within the CWA approach are centered on supporting and connecting coordinators and ambassadors, developing and disseminating resources, and facilitating training and learning opportunities throughout the year. By working in partnership, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Washington Resource Conservation and Development Council (WRCD) are able to leverage our collective strengths to more effectively serve coordinators and ambassadors as they implement diverse programs and projects in their communities.
Take Action Today - Protect Your Community
Reach out to discuss how you can bring the Community Wildfire Ambassador approach to your area.
