Henry Hagg Lake in Washington County is a popular spot for outdoor activities like fishing, boating and hiking, in addition to providing essential water resources for the community. Unfortunately, like many areas in the Pacific Northwest, it can be susceptible to wildfires, especially during the dry summer months.
The event had a significant positive impact, equipping participants with the knowledge, confidence and resources to better prepare for wildfires.
In June 2024, Oregon State University Extension Service’s Fire Program and Oregon Naturalist program collaborated with 15 agencies, service districts, organizations and businesses to plan and host a free wildfire preparedness event called “Wildfire Ready!” The educational program aimed at fostering fire-resilient landscapes and communities around Hagg Lake and emphasized the increasing wildfire risk in Washington County and the potential severe impacts.
The event included information tables, presentations and demonstrations, highlighting how to prepare your home, property, family and community for wildfires. Attendees rotated between three demonstration stations: equipment for fire season, home hardening and defensible space and fuels management. Attendees also learned about the roles of different agencies and funding opportunities for risk reduction practices.
Participants who responded to a survey rated the event highly (4.88 on a scale of 1 to 5) and felt more confident in taking proactive actions (4.5/5). They recognized key organizations and agencies available to support them (4.48/5).
Participants gained valuable insights on creating defensible spaces, home hardening, managing forests for wildfire, having firefighting equipment on site and understanding fire risks and mitigation. Many planned to implement the knowledge they gained, such as creating a 5-foot vegetation-free barrier around homes, clearing flammable materials and engaging in forest management and home hardening practices.
Organizers noted participants' desire for more frequent events and a regular community presence related to wildfire. There was strong demand for recommendations on fire-resistant native plants, managing invasive weeds and guidance on tree species to plant or avoid. Participants requested site visits for personalized feedback on properties and sought information on climate change, long-term drought and water storage solutions.
The format of combining demonstrations with tables was well-received. Partners collaborated effectively, leveraging collective wisdom. Marketing and outreach efforts successfully attracted an audience from the targeted watershed with 42% of attendees being from watersheds targeted by organizers.
Overall, the event had a significant positive impact, equipping participants with the knowledge, confidence and resources to better prepare for wildfires. The feedback highlights the event's success and opportunities for future improvements to support the community in wildfire preparedness and resilience.
Event collaborators included:
- Tualatin Soil & Water Conservation District
- Oregon Department of Forestry
- Joint Water Commission
- USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
- Washington County Emergency Management
- Clean Water Services
- Gaston Rural Fire Protection District
- Washington County Small Woodlands Association
- Stimson Lumber
- West Oregon Electric Cooperative, Inc.
- Forest Grove Fire & Rescue
- Washington County Parks
- Oregon State Fire Marshal
- PGE
