As Oregon braces for another tough wildfire season, fire officials urge residents to act now to protect their homes and families (read the Oregon Live article here). With weather patterns echoing last year’s destructive fires, preparation is critical.
Defensible Space
State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple says one of the best ways to protect your home is by creating a defensible space — a buffer zone clear of dry vegetation, brush, and flammable materials. This can mean the difference between a home that survives a wildfire and one that doesn’t.
Zone 1: 0 – 30 feet around your home or to property line.
- Remove all dead plants, grass and leaves
- Trim trees – keep branches a minimum of 10 feet from other trees
- Remove vegetation and items that could catch fire from around and under decks.
Zone 2: 30 – 100 feet around your home or to property line.
- Cut or mow grass down to a maximum height of 4 inches
- Create horizontal spacing between shrubs and trees.
- Create vertical spacing between grass, shrubs and trees.
Tips to Harden Your Home Against Wildfire Risk
- Space and prune trees
- Remove dry debris within 100 feet of your home
- Clean roofs and gutters
- Move firewood and combustibles away from the house
- Keep plants trimmed and clear of dead material
- Avoid planting under eaves
- Install fine metal mesh over vents
Prepare a “Go Bag” and Know Your Evacuation Plan
Include essentials like medications, water, snacks, flashlights, chargers, important documents, clothes, and pet supplies.
- READY — Prepare your home and family ahead of time.
- SET — Stay informed and be ready to leave at a moment’s notice.
- GO! — Evacuate immediately when told — don’t wait.
💡 More Resources
- Free Wildfire Home Assessments
- Go Bag checklist from the American Red Cross
- Clackamas Fire Ready, Set, Go! Program
- https://www.clackamas.us/dm/publicalerts
While Oregon continues to invest in stronger firefighting resources, some wildfires spread too rapidly to control. That’s why it’s essential for all of us to prepare—protecting our homes, families, and neighborhoods before disaster strikes.
Clackamas County Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster) coordinates a network of community partners to ensure timely, effective support for individuals affected by disasters—whether immediate, ongoing, or long-term.
Contact us to learn more about our work and how you can partner with CCVOAD to strengthen local disaster response.
Stay safe. Stay prepared.