Managing Oregon's westside landscapes with fire in mind

As climate change and evolving weather patterns increase the frequency and intensity of wildfires, managing landscapes effectively is more crucial than ever. In Oregon's westside regions, where lush vegetation meets urban areas, the challenge of balancing landscape management with fire safety has become a pressing concern. The Oregon State University Extension offers invaluable guidance on how to navigate this complex issue. This collection of briefs provide practical strategies for reducing fire risks. By implementing these best practices, homeowners and land managers can enhance their property’s resilience against wildfires and contribute to the overall safety of their communities. These briefs are an essential tool for anyone looking to make informed decisions about managing Oregon's westside landscapes with fire in mind.

Managing coastal fog belt forests with fire in mind

This brief discusses how to enhance fire resilience in Oregon's coastal fog belt forests, which are prone to high-intensity fires under extreme conditions. It explores management strategies like creating defensible ...

Aaron Groth, Carrie Berger | Aug 2024 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Managing Northwest Oregon oak ecosystems with fire in mind

This brief explains how oak ecosystems in Northwest Oregon depend on fire for maintenance and regeneration. It outlines methods for reintroducing fire and managing vegetation to reduce fire risk and enhance ...

Lauren Grand, Carrie Berger | Aug 2024 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Managing Willamette Valley margin forests with fire in mind

Explore strategies to enhance fire resilience in the drier, mixed-severity fire-prone forests of Oregon's Willamette Valley margin. The brief emphasizes the importance of reducing fuel loads, creating defensible spaces ...

Glenn Ahrens, Carrie Berger | Aug 2024 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Managing Douglas-fir–western hemlock forests of the Coast Range and Western Cascades with fire in mind

This brief provides strategies for increasing fire resilience in these forest types. It emphasizes protecting structures through home hardening, creating defensible spaces, utilizing strategic fuel breaks and fostering ...

Kayla Bordelon, Stephen Fitzgerald, Carrie Berger, Aaron Groth | Aug 2024 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Managing Oregon's West Cascades' high-elevation forests with fire in mind

This brief focuses on strategies for reducing wildfire risk in Oregon's high-elevation Cascade forests, which experience varied fire behaviors due to their unique climate, vegetation, and human activities. It emphasizes ...

John Punches, Carrie Berger | Aug 2024 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Aug 2024

Authors

Glenn Ahrens

Forestry

Carrie Berger

Fire Program Manager

Kayla Bordelon

Assistant Professor of Practice, Regional Fire Specialist, Western Region

Stephen Fitzgerald

Academic Wage Appointment (retired)

Lauren Grand

Forestry & Natural Resources Associate Professor of Practice

Aaron Groth

Regional Fire Specialist, Coast

John Punches

Forestry

Want to learn more about this topic? Explore more resources from OSU Extension: Community disaster preparedness, Fire, Family emergency preparedness

Was this page helpful?

Related Content from OSU Extension

After-the-fire guide and checklist for returning to your property

If your property has been affected by a wildfire, here is a step-by-step guide for what to do when you return after the fire. The steps will provide some organization for the process.

Dan Leavell, Stephen Fitzgerald, Carrie Berger | Nov 2024 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Reducing hazardous fuels on woodland property: Mechanical treatments

Understand mechanical methods to reduce hazardous woodland fuels, including Slashbusters, grinders and masticators. This guide covers site impacts, costs, parcel size and maintenance needs.

Max Bennett, Stephen Fitzgerald | Jun 2025 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

OSU Extension organizes community preparedness for extreme smoke in the Columbia River Gorge

Extension's work will result in better smoke monitoring, better communication and reduced levels of smoke in the air in the Columbia River Gorge.

Chris Branam | Mar 16, 2022 | News story

Science of wildfire, provided by OSU Extension, influences art exhibition

The scientists involved were OSU Extension’s Ariel Cowan and Katie Wollstein, who spent several days with the cohort talking about wildfire on Oregon’s high desert rangelands and forests – its ecology, what drives it and the challenges to manage it.

Francesca Lear | Apr 19, 2024 | News story

Are dead tree trunks a fire risk?

I live in a forested area of Deschutes County. I think that deadfall (cut trunks laying on the forest floor) left to decompose improves the health of the forest, but I am wondering if it also increases fire risk.

Ariel Cowan | Jul 2023 | Featured question

Extension employees among tens of thousands of Oregon fire evacuees

OSU Extension employees are among the tens of thousands of Oregonians who have been evacuated due to the wildfires. Here are a few of their stories.

Chris Branam | Sep 16, 2020 | News story

OSU Extension assists with livestock rescue efforts as Oregonians flee fires

When the fires started raging on Tuesday, OSU Extension employees started preparing barns and other buildings for animals, in addition to sorting through donations of food and water. Since then, they’ve been working day and night.

Chris Branam | Sep 11, 2020 | News story

Emergency response fulfills Extension's mission to serve all Oregonians

The OSU Extension Service has a defined role in federal, state and local emergency plans.

Chris Branam | Sep 18, 2020 | News story

Extension coordinates hay donations to relieve those affected by wildfires

More than 500 tons have been donated and moved around the state through partnerships.

Kym Pokorny | Oct 19, 2020 | News story

Tensions lessening between rangeland fire groups and government agencies

A study led by Oregon State University finds that tensions between Rangeland Fire Protection Associations and government agencies have lessened– rapidly in Idaho and gradually in Oregon.

Chris Branam | Oct 24, 2019 | News story

Before wildfire strikes: A handbook for homeowners and communities in Southwest Oregon

Learn how to protect your home from wildfire. Tips include creating defensible space, managing vegetation, and preparing emergency plans to boost your home's chances of survival.

Kara Baylog, Max Bennett | May 2024 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Fire FAQs—How can landscapes with mixed ownerships be managed for fire effectively?

Discusses how to manage landscapes for fire when areas are owned or managed by different people or entities. One in a series of fire FAQs that are based on questions that Forest and Natural Resource Extension agents and specialists have received from the people they serve.

Kara Baylog, Dan Leavell, Carrie Berger | Dec 2024 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Fire Adapted Oak Habitats in the South Willamette Valley

Uncover the factors contributing to the decline of native oak habitats due to historical land use practices and the importance of restoring these ecosystems for biodiversity and wildfire risk reduction. By ...

Lauren Grand | Apr 2024 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Wildfires, smoke and livestock: What can we do?

Wildfires and smoke pose significant risks to livestock, including injury, respiratory issues and loss of feed and infrastructure. Strategic planning, such as fuel management, creating defensible spaces and having an emergency response plan, can help mitigate these risks.

Juliana Ranches, Katherine Wollstein, Jenifer Cruickshank, Amy Skibiel, Pedram Rezamand | Mar 2025 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Not all fires are wild: Understanding fire and its use as a management tool

Understand the critical role of prescribed fire in preventing catastrophic wildfires in the Pacific Northwest. Learn about fire behavior, management strategies and the benefits of controlled burns.

Rebecca Wolf, Carrie Berger, Janean Creighton, Christine Olsen | May 2024 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Firework safety tips?

My family and I are preparing to celebrate the Fourth of July holiday. We want to teach our children about firework safety. What are some firework safety tips?

Teagan Moran | Jun 2023 | Featured question

OSU Extension helps lead septic and well repair efforts in Lincoln County

The effort has significantly improved groundwater quality throughout Lincoln County by preventing large amounts of waste from contaminating local waterways.

Chrissy Lucas, Kelci Free | Jun 2025 | Impact story

Have a question? Ask Extension!

Ask Extension is a way for you to get answers from the Oregon State University Extension Service. We have experts in family and health, community development, food and agriculture, coastal issues, forestry, programs for young people, and gardening.

Ask us a question