Wildfire Preparedness Tips

Every year, wildfires burn across the U.S., and more and more people are living where wildfires are a real risk. Nearly 45 million homes abut or intermingle with wildlands and more than 72,000 U.S. communities are now at risk. But by working together residents can make their own property - and their neighborhood - much safer from wildfire.

Before a wildfire threatens your area…

In and around your home

• Clear leaves and other debris from gutters, eaves, porches and decks. This prevents embers from igniting your home.
• Remove dead vegetation and other items from under your deck or porch, and within 10 feet of the house. Learn more about the basics of defensible space on the Firewise website.
• Screen or box-in areas below patios and decks with wire mesh to prevent debris and combustible materials from accumulating.
• Remove flammable materials (firewood stacks, propane tanks) within 30 feet of your home’s foundation and outbuildings, including garages and sheds. If it can catch fire, don’t let it touch your house, deck or porch.
• Wildfire can spread to tree tops. Prune trees so the lowest branches are 6 to 10 feet from the ground.
• Keep your lawn hydrated and maintained. If it is brown, cut it down to reduce fire intensity. Dry grass and shrubs are fuel for wildfire.
• Don’t let debris and lawn cuttings linger. Dispose of these items quickly to reduce fuel for fire.
• Inspect shingles or roof tiles. Replace or repair those that are loose or missing to prevent ember penetration.
• Cover exterior attic vents with metal wire mesh no larger than 1/8 inch to prevent sparks from entering the home.
• Enclose under-eave and soffit vents or screens with metal mesh to prevent ember entry.
• Learn more about how to protect your home and property at www.firewise.org.

Creating an emergency plan

• Assemble an emergency supply kit and place it in a safe spot. Remember to include important documents, medications and personal identification.
• Develop an emergency evacuation plan and practice it with everyone in your home.
• Plan two ways out of your neighborhood and designate a meeting place.
• Learn more about emergency preparedness planning on NFPA’s emergency planning webpage.

In your community:

• Contact your local planning/zoning office to find out if your home is in a high wildfire risk area, and if there are specific local or county ordinances you should be following.
• If you are part of a homeowner association, work with them to identify regulations that incorporate proven preparedness landscaping, home design and building material use.
• Talk to your local fire department about how to prepare, when to evacuate, and the response you and your neighbors can expect in the event of a wildfire.
• Learn about wildfire risk reduction efforts, including how land management agencies use prescribed fire to manage local landscapes.
• Learn how you can make a positive difference in your community. 

Are you prepared for a wildfire?

Ready, Set, Go!

Ready – Be Ready. Prepare for the threat of wildfire by creating defensible space around your home.

Set – Get Set. Create and prepare your wildfire action plan – a checklist that includes evacuation routes and emergency meeting locations. Stay alert and know how to receive the latest news and information on the fire from local media and Clackamas Fire. Prepare to leave at a moment’s notice.

Go! – Act Early. When the threat of wildfire is imminent – evacuate now! Leave immediately. Wildfires are unpredictable and change direction without warning. By leaving early, you give you and your family the best chance of surviving.

Maintain Defensible Space

Defensible space is essential to improve your home’s chance of surviving a wildfire. It’s the buffer you create between your home or other buildings on your property and the grass, trees, shrubs, or any wildland are that surround it. This space is needed to slow or stop the spread of wildfire and it helps protect your home from catching fire. Defensible space is also important in helping protect firefighters in defending your home.

Sign up for Deschutes County Alerts

Emergencies can happen with little to no notice, at any time of the day or night. Deschutes Alerts allows you to received emergency notifications about threats to your safety. You can opt in to receive notifications via phone call, text, email, smart phone app, TTY/TDD or a combination of any of these methods.

To sign up, click here: Deschutes Alerts - Sign In

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