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The Forestry & Natural Resources Extension Fire Program assists in identifying landscapes in highest need of a strategic focus of resources to reduce wildfire and landscape health risks at a statewide scale. We also assist with the implementation of projects on the ground in priority landscapes. We provide education and outreach throughout the process for all Oregonians.
Fire-adapted communities
Wildfires make a profound impact on people, land, animals, the environment and the economy. As the population continues to increase, homes and communities expand to new rural boundaries and fires become more a part of the changing landscape. Oregonians are faced with the challenges of preparing, preventing, and recovering from wildfires.
The National Wildfire Coordinating Group defines a fire-adapted community as “A human community consisting of informed and prepared citizen’s (including land managers, fire departments, and businesses) collaboratively planning and taking action to safely coexist with wildland fire.”
The Forestry & Natural Resources Extension's Fire Program plans to create fire-adapted infrastructure, communities, and landscapes across the state of Oregon through awareness, education, and outreach.
Learn about what to do before, during, and after a wildfire.
Landscape-Scale Land Management
We work to ensure Oregon will have healthy, diverse, and resilient landscapes and related natural resources. This supports:
- Oregon’s resource-dependent industries and community needs for energy and ecosystem services
- Pre-hazard mitigation priorities that reduce risks and hazards of wildfire to residents and responders.
We will facilitate and coordinate private and public partnerships and guide a landscape planning and implementation process.
Planning and implementation objectives follow the National Cohesive Strategy:
- Resilient landscapes
- Fire-adapted communities
- Safe and effective wildfire response.
Our Forestry & Natural Resources Extension's Fire Program plans to enhance our existing support to landscape-scale land management planning for private landowners and public land managers. We do this by promoting a systematic planning effort leading directly to implementation of projects on the ground.
Learn more!
Carrie Berger (Cropped from original)
Featured topic: Post-fire
What is a red flag warning?
A red flag warning means high fire danger. The National Weather Service issues red flag warnings to alert land management agencies to critical conditions that could lead to rapid increases in wildfire activity. The forecasts are critical information for planning prescribed burns.
Carrie Berger | Feb 2020 | Article
Wildfire Smoke and Your Health
When smoke levels are high, even healthy people may have symptoms or health problems.
Lake County 4-H
What is? Wildfire smoke
Wildfire smoke is typically a mixture of water vapor, gases, fine particles, and trace minerals from burning fuels like trees and vegetation, other organic components, and, sometimes, building materials.
Carrie Berger | Oct 2019 | Article
Create a Clean Room to Protect Indoor Air Quality During a Wildfire
Creating a clean room is a specific actions that members of the public can take when wildfire smoke renders a community’s air quality unhealthy.
Aug 2020 | Online resource
Fire Adapted Communities and Ready, Set, Go! Webinar - Recorded
Oregon State University’s Forestry & Natural Resources Extension Fire Program and its partners present a webinar series on Wildfire Preparedness and Prevention in Oregon.
Carrie Berger | May 2020 | Video
Fire Behavior and Home Ignition Zone Webinar - Recorded
Oregon State University’s Forestry & Natural Resources Extension Fire Program and its partners present a webinar series on Wildfire Preparedness and Prevention in Oregon.
May 2020 | Video
Wildfire Awareness Webinar - Recorded
Oregon State University’s Forestry & Natural Resources Extension Fire Program and its partners present a webinar series on Wildfire Preparedness and Prevention in Oregon.
May 2020 | Video