April 21, 2016
Contact: Kristin Babbs, president
Keep Oregon Green Association
503-945-7499, Kristin.a.babbs@oregon.gov
May is Oregon Wildfire Awareness Month. Oregon experiences
its heaviest wildfire activity during the summer, but fires occur all seasons
of the year including spring. During May, federal, state, tribal and local fire
agencies will be spreading the word about wildfire prevention and the steps
Oregonians can take to stop most fires before they start.
its heaviest wildfire activity during the summer, but fires occur all seasons
of the year including spring. During May, federal, state, tribal and local fire
agencies will be spreading the word about wildfire prevention and the steps
Oregonians can take to stop most fires before they start.
At stake: lives,
property, forests
property, forests
When
it comes to preventing wildfires, there’s a lot at stake – lives, personal
property, and the many values provided by Oregon’s forests and rangelands.
During the 2015 wildfire season, about 1.6 million acres were consumed by
wildfire across the Pacific Northwest, including 630,000
acres in Oregon. Some 675 structures were lost – many of
them permanent residences. And tragically, three
firefighters were killed. Key wildlife habitats, including those of the
beleaguered greater sage grouse, went up in smoke.
it comes to preventing wildfires, there’s a lot at stake – lives, personal
property, and the many values provided by Oregon’s forests and rangelands.
During the 2015 wildfire season, about 1.6 million acres were consumed by
wildfire across the Pacific Northwest, including 630,000
acres in Oregon. Some 675 structures were lost – many of
them permanent residences. And tragically, three
firefighters were killed. Key wildlife habitats, including those of the
beleaguered greater sage grouse, went up in smoke.
In Oregon alone, some 850 human-caused fires ravaged the landscape. And
on just the forest and rangelands protected by the Oregon Department of
Forestry, these “people” fires burned nearly 87,000 acres. But wildfire
prevention educators are not pointing fingers. In the extreme weather
conditions of last summer nearly any fire start, whether human or lightning caused,
had potential to spread into a raging wildfire.
on just the forest and rangelands protected by the Oregon Department of
Forestry, these “people” fires burned nearly 87,000 acres. But wildfire
prevention educators are not pointing fingers. In the extreme weather
conditions of last summer nearly any fire start, whether human or lightning caused,
had potential to spread into a raging wildfire.
Wildfires can start
at home
at home
Wildfires that occur in the wildland-urban interface often are started
by human activity and then spread to the forest. Once underway a fire follows
the fuel, whether it is trees or houses. Fortunately, this grave threat to
lives and property can be dramatically reduced.
by human activity and then spread to the forest. Once underway a fire follows
the fuel, whether it is trees or houses. Fortunately, this grave threat to
lives and property can be dramatically reduced.
“Simple prevention strategies will make the strongest impact on your
home, family and community safety,” said Kristin Babbs, president of the Keep
Oregon Green Association.
home, family and community safety,” said Kristin Babbs, president of the Keep
Oregon Green Association.
Spring is the perfect time, she said, to remove dead, flammable
vegetation and limb up trees around the yard.
vegetation and limb up trees around the yard.
“When
clearing brush and vegetation from around the home, property owners should also
keep in mind the access needed by larger fire trucks,” said State Fire Marshal
Jim Walker. “Long driveways should be at least 12 feet wide, have 10 feet of
vegetation clearance from the centerline to the edge of the driveway, and about
14 feet of overhead clearance. Having an adequate turnaround area is critical
for firefighter.”
clearing brush and vegetation from around the home, property owners should also
keep in mind the access needed by larger fire trucks,” said State Fire Marshal
Jim Walker. “Long driveways should be at least 12 feet wide, have 10 feet of
vegetation clearance from the centerline to the edge of the driveway, and about
14 feet of overhead clearance. Having an adequate turnaround area is critical
for firefighter.”
To get an early start on Wildfire Awareness Month, join your neighbors
in reducing your community’s wildfire risk by taking part in National Wildfire
Community Preparedness Day on Saturday, May 7. The National Fire Protection
Association has teamed up with State Farm Insurance to encourage residents to
commit a couple of hours, or the entire day, to help raise wildfire awareness
and work together on projects that can help protect homes and entire
communities from the threat of fire.
in reducing your community’s wildfire risk by taking part in National Wildfire
Community Preparedness Day on Saturday, May 7. The National Fire Protection
Association has teamed up with State Farm Insurance to encourage residents to
commit a couple of hours, or the entire day, to help raise wildfire awareness
and work together on projects that can help protect homes and entire
communities from the threat of fire.