Before wildfire strikes

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 preventing, preparing and recovering from wildfires.

Learn what to do BEFORE a wildfire:

• First, is your property at risk from wildfire?
• Oregon State University Extension provides information on Keeping Your Home and Property Safe from Wildfire: A Defensible Space and Fuel Reduction Guide for Homeowners and Landowners. This guide is a comprehensive primer for homeowners and landowners to prepare and respond to wildfires. Other great, comprehensive resources are The Home Ignition Zone: Protecting Your Property from Wildfire and a video from The Oregon Department of Forestry on How to Make Your Home and Property Fire-Safe.
• While creating defensible space around your home, think about using Fire-Resistant Plants for Home Landscapes. Need more tips for around your home? Check out Firewise information aimed at wildfire readiness in communities.
• Don't forget about home hardening! Home hardening addresses the most vulnerable components of your house with building materials and installation techniques that increase resistance to heat, flames, and embers that accompany most wildfires. Watch the recording of Prioritizing your home hardening approach presented by John Rizza, NE Regional Extension Fire Specialist.
• Use handy worksheets to help you assess each zone of your property to reduce the threat wildfire pose.
• Do you own land? A Land Manager's Guide for Creating Fire-Resistant Forests is a must-have publication. This publication provides an overview of how various silvicultural treatments affect fuel and fire behavior, and how to create fire-resistant forests. Get information on reducing hazardous fuels by thinning, pruning and other treatments.
• Make an evacuation plan! Check out Project Wildfire's Evacuation: Make a Plan Now video.
• Make an evacuation plan for your animals, too! One example: Evacuation Preparedness for Horses by the National Fire Protection Association.
• Finally, find out about your county's Community Wildfire Protection Plan. CWPPs help communities address wildfire response, community preparedness, and structure protection. Through CWPPs, communities can influence how and where federal agencies reduce hazardous fuels.