Carrie Berger

Photo: Carrie Berger

Fire Program Manager

541-737-7524

[email protected]

Expertise: Fire

Programs: Fire Program

Links: http://extensionweb.forestry.oregonstate.edu/fireprogram

Department/Unit: Forestry and Natural Resources Extension

Content
Publications
Awards

Content by Carrie Berger

Forestry & Natural Resources Extension Fire Program: 2021 Impact Report

The Extension Fire Program uses education, outreach, and boundary spanning partnerships to foster the resiliency of communities and landscapes to wildfire at scale. Learn more!

Carrie Berger, Emily Jane Davis | May 2022 | Educational document

Episode 20: Fire Adapted Communities

In this episode, Lauren Grand is joined by Carrie Berger & Emily Jane Davis to discuss how communities can be better prepared for wildfires.

Lauren Grand, Carrie Berger, Emily Jane Davis | May 2022 | Podcast episode

Episode 19: OSU Extension Fire Program Team

In this episode, Lauren Grand gets to know the members of the OSU Extension Fire Program.

Lauren Grand, Aaron Groth, Carrie Berger, Ariel Cowan, Katherine Wollstein, Christopher Adlam, John Rizza, Emily Jane Davis | May 2022 | Podcast episode

Smoke Ready Oregon: Preparing for Wildfire Smoke (Recorded)

When smoke fills the air during a wildfire event, do you know how to protect yourself and your family? Learn about smoke impacts to health, the air quality index, and simple steps you can do right now to reduce your risk from smoke exposure.

Carrie Berger, Lauren Kraemer | Apr 2022 | Video

Episode 5: Fire

In this episode, Carrie Berger is joined by David Lewis and Amanda Rau to talk all things fire - including what is it, how it's used, and its benefits.

Carrie Berger, Amanda Rau, David G. Lewis | Mar 2022 | Podcast episode

Prescribed Fire: Why We Burn

Prescribed burning is the practice of intentional burning to obtain specific results. People practice prescribed fire to improve habitat, improve the health of forests and rangelands, and to reduce wildfire risk. Learn how people ...

Christopher Adlam, Carrie Berger | Feb 2022 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Planning a Prescribed Burn

Prescribed burning practitioners follow a detailed burn plan that spells out objectives and ways to achieve them safety. Burn plans cover equipment, site preparation, smoke management, contingencies, communication and cleanup.

John Rizza, Christopher Adlam, Dan Leavell, Jacob Putney, Carrie Berger | Feb 2022 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Managing a Prescribed Burn

Carrying out a prescribed burn takes careful planning. A detailed burn plan lays out objectives and how to achieve them. Before putting fire on the ground, conduct briefings and test fires. Once the burn begins, a variety of...

John Rizza, Carrie Berger | Feb 2022 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

The Ecological Effects of Fire

Fire alters landscapes, plant communities, animal habitat, and even water and soil. Fire can sometimes be a force for good, boosting species diversity and ecological resilience. Examine how fire suppression and climate change are altering the ecological effects of fire.

Christopher Adlam, Carrie Berger | Feb 2022 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Smoke Management

Prescribed burns are an important tool in preventing wildfires, but the smoke they produce can be more than just a nuisance. Besides reducing visibility, smoke can affect the health and safety of firefighters and the public. ...

Stephen Fitzgerald, Emily Jane Davis, Carrie Berger | Feb 2022 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Fire Behavior

Fire behavior is a function of available fuel, site topography and weather. People who practice prescribed burning take all these elements into account to achieve the objectives of the burn.

John Rizza, Christopher Adlam, Carrie Berger | Feb 2022 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

When Wildfire Hits: One Community's Journey to Recovery (Recorded)

Planning and preparing for wildfire can feel like a massive endeavor. What can we do? Who can help? How do we continue to build wildfire adapted and prepared communities? Every community is unique; however, you are not alone....

Carrie Berger | Oct 2021 | Video

Fire Aware. Fire Prepared. Resource Packet

Oregon State University’s Forestry & Natural Resources Extension along with state and local agencies and community partners, want to help Oregonians prepare for the reality of wildfire and have created a resources packet that will help get you Fire Aware. Fire Prepared.

Carrie Berger, Christopher Adlam, Kara Baylog, John Rizza | Jul 2021 | Fact Sheet Peer reviewed (Gray level)

After the fire (Recorded)

In this webinar, experts discuss what happens after the fire and address some of these uncertainties; including the factors authorities are using to determine when it is safe to return, what to know and expect upon returning, ...

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

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

It takes a village! (Recorded)

This first webinar kicked off with an introduction to fire risk, community preparedness, and knowing your resources.

Amanda Rau, Christopher Adlam, Ariel Cowan, Katherine Wollstein, John Rizza, Aaron Groth, Carrie Berger, Dan Leavell | Mar 2021 | Video

OSU Extension Fire Program steps up for landowners after wildfires

The Oregon State University Extension’s Forestry & Natural Resources Program quickly realized the need for post-fire resources and mobilized a team.

Carrie Berger | Dec 2020 | Impact story

Ash and debris clean up and removal

The Labor Day Fires constitute the biggest and most expensive disaster in Oregon history. As of October 12, 2020, over 4,000 residences and 1,400 other structures have been destroyed. The management of the ash and debris left behind is a 2-step process. First, household hazardous waste (HHW) must be removed. Once complete, the process of removing ash and debris may begin on the property.

Carrie Berger, Oregon Wildfire Recovery | Oct 2020 | Fact Sheet

After the fire checklist - fillable PDF

To make it easier to fill out, we have generated a fillable PDF form for the "After the fire checklist." Fill in the blanks to streamline your assessment process going to the next step (funding, contracting, further assistance). Don’t forget to include your map and photos.

Dan Leavell, Stephen Fitzgerald, Carrie Berger, Tiffany Hopkins | Oct 2020 | Fact Sheet

Maintaining your well after wildfire

This handout identifies a number of issues that may occur with water well systems following a wildfire and provides a list of contacts and resources.

Carrie Berger, Oregon Water Resources Department | Oct 2020 | Online resource

After a wildfire: Flash floods and debris flows

Flash floods and debris flows after a wildfire.

Carrie Berger, NOAA | Oct 2020 | Article

FEMA: Repairing/Rebuilding After a Wildfire – Resources You Can Use

Mitigation is acting now to reduce future risk. You can repair/rebuild safer and stronger after wildfires and straight-line winds and Community Education and Outreach can help you on your recovery journey.

Carrie Berger, FEMA | Oct 2020 | Article

After the fire checklist

If Your property has been affected by wildfire, utilize this checklist to chart a course forward and modify to suit your needs.

Dan Leavell, Stephen Fitzgerald, Carrie Berger, Tiffany Hopkins | Oct 2020 | Fact Sheet

Episode 1: Welcome to the "In The Woods" Podcast

Listen to this episode to see what OSU Extension Forestry and this podcast are all about!

Lauren Grand, Carrie Berger, Stephen Fitzgerald, Jason O'Brien, Jacob Putney | Sep 2020 | Podcast episode

Know the three levels of wildfire evacuation

Be ready, be set, go! During a wildfire, a three-tier evacuation warning system is put in place for residents whose homes are threatened. Knowing what each tier means can help residents better navigate an evacuation.

Carrie Berger, Office of State Fire Marshal | Sep 2020 | Article

Fire FAQs — Are Structures Fuel? The Wildland Urban Interface and the 'Built' Environment

We now need to consider structures themselves as a fuel type contributing to wildfires, along with other potentially hazardous fuel such as wood piles, propane tanks and automobiles. In this context, the home defense (ignition) ...

Dan Leavell, Stephen Fitzgerald, Carrie Berger | Aug 2020 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Reducing Health Effects of Wildfire Smoke

Wildfires and severe smoke can create dangerous conditions for people, especially those with chronic health conditions. Learn about current wildfires, wildfire smoke conditions, and what you can do to reduce the health effects of wildfire smoke.

Carrie Berger | Jun 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

Before wildfire strikes

Wildfires make a profound impact on people, land, animals, 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 ...

Carrie Berger | Feb 2020 | Article

How to prepare your home for a wildfire evacuation

When a wildfire approaches, residents have to be prepared to evacuate their homes. Here's a checklist of what to do inside and outside your home to give it the best chance to withstand the flames after you've evacuated.

Carrie Berger | Feb 2020 | Article

After a wildfire

Carrie Berger | Feb 2020 | Article

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

What to know about wildfire smoke

Wildfire smoke is more than a nuisance. It is a public health hazard that can harm the lungs and cardiovascular system. Here's a look at what makes smoke dangerous and what can be done about it.

Carrie Berger | Oct 2019 | Article Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Fire FAQs—Who owns Oregon's forests, and how does that matter when it comes to fire?

Oregon's wildfire landscape is clouded by the mix of public and private interests that control more than 30 million acres. Forests make up nearly half of Oregon, and most forests fall under federal management. Forest ownership factors into both the number of fires and the size to which they grow.

Lauren Grand, Carrie Berger, Stephen Fitzgerald, Dan Leavell | Jan 2019 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Fire FAQs—What is forest fuel, and what are fuel treatments?

Forest fuel is combustible biomass—everything from needles and twigs to shrubs, downed trees, and logs. Wildland fire managers reduce and rearrange fuel to reduce the probability of forest fires. Fuel treatments include thinning, ...

Stephen Fitzgerald, Carrie Berger, Dan Leavell | Jan 2019 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Fire FAQs—What is fire severity?

Fire severity is a measure of the effects of fire on the environment—both in damage to vegetation and impacts on the soil. Fire severity is driven by weather conditions, the topography of the landscape, and the fuels that are present. Of these, weather is the overriding factor.

Carrie Berger, Lauren Grand, Stephen Fitzgerald, Dan Leavell | Oct 2018 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Fire FAQs—Have the size and severity of forest wildfires increased in Oregon and across the West?

Presents research findings from the last ten years on the patterns of fire sizes since the 1980s. One in a series of fire FAQs that are based on questions Forest & Natural Resource Extension agents and specialists have received from the people they serve. Revised October 2018.

Max Bennett, Stephen Fitzgerald, Dan Leavell, Carrie Berger | Oct 2018 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Fire FAQs—Air quality impacts from prescribed fire and wildfire: How do they compare?

Compares the impacts that prescribed fires and wildfires have on air quality. One in a series of fire FAQs that are based on questions Forest & Natural Resource Extension agents and specialists have received from the people they serve.

Carrie Berger, Stephen Fitzgerald, Dan Leavell | Jun 2018 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Fire FAQs—Salvage Cutting: What are the effects on fire behavior and severity?

Discusses the purpose and benefits of salvage cutting. One in a part of a series of fire FAQs that are based on questions Forest & Natural Resource Extension agents and specialists have received from the people they serve.

Stephen Fitzgerald, Carrie Berger, Dan Leavell, Lauren Grand | May 2018 | 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 & Natural Resource Extension agents and specialists have received from the people they serve.

Kara Baylog, Dan Leavell, Carrie Berger | May 2018 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)