Fire Program

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 cross-boundary projects on the ground in priority landscapes and provide education and outreach throughout the process.

We acknowledge that Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon, is located within the traditional homelands of the Mary's River or Ampinefu Band of Kalapuya. Following the Willamette Valley Treaty of 1855, Kalapuya people were forcibly removed to reservations in Western Oregon. Today, living descendants of these people are a part of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Community of Oregon and the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians. All Extension programming throughout the state of Oregon happens on traditional homelands. To learn more, click here.

Announcements

Treatment options for young forest stands damaged by fire or ice

Many people in the Willamette Valley area are faced with severe fire and/or ice damage in young forest stands that do not have much salvageable material. Landowners are feeling overwhelmed by the extent of the damage and the... Read more...

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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.

Before a Wildfire

During a Wildfire

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!

Planning and Implementing Cross-boundary Landscape-scale Restoration and Wildfi…

Photo: Carrie Berger (Cropped from original)

Featured topic: Fire Aware. Fire Prepared.

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

When fire hits (Recorded)

In this webinar, you will hear about how fire operations and levels of response are assembled, what you can expect if you are in a potentially affected area, as well as some ideas for how you can make firefighters’ jobs easier and safer if they need to protect your home.

Carrie Berger | Jun 2021 | Video

Be Ready, Be Set, Go! (Recorded)

Wildfire evacuations are becoming a reality that individuals and communities throughout Oregon are face each fire season. Want to learn how you can prepare for evacuation from a wildfire?

Carrie Berger | May 2021 | Video

A land of fire (Recorded)

Learn about the ecology and history of fire in Oregon, and what we can expect moving into the future.

Carrie Berger | May 2021 | Video

Building community for wildfire resilience (Recorded)

Fire doesn’t stop at property lines so we must create resilient landscapes as a community. Different communities, different ways to prepare for wildfire. Listen to five panelists from all over Oregon and learn about the way they have come together to reduce fuels and mitigate fire risk.

Carrie Berger | Apr 2021 | Video

From the home to the landscape (Recorded)

This webinar reviews practical steps you and your neighbors can do on your own properties before fire season.