Preparing for Wildfires

Sadly, the summer of 2025 has already brought two significant wildfires to our Gorge community. Wildfires are a real and present danger in Hood River County, especially during the summer and early fall. It has become essential not only to prevent wildfires but also to prepare for them and learn how to coexist with this danger.

Firefighters, land managers, and governments work hard on fire safety, but community involvement is vital for improving wildfire preparedness. As residents or landowners, you can help by preparing your property for potential fires, making your neighborhood safer.

To support this effort, the OSU Extension Office in Hood River County partnered with the Hood River County Emergency Management Department and several other organizations to create the guidebook “Before Wildfire Strikes: A guide to improving wildfire preparedness and living with fire in Hood River County.”

The guide has several key objectives:

• To increase the chances your home survives a wildfire with home hardening and defensible space.
• To assist you in developing an emergency preparedness plan for your family.
• To educate you about collaborative efforts to improve wildfire resistance in Hood River County.

You can pick up a copy of “Before Wildfire Strikes” at the OSU Extension Office, County offices, and all fire stations in Hood River County. It’s also available online. A similar booklet called “Incendio Aqui!” covers this information for Spanish speakers.

Preparing for Wildfires

Approximately 90% of structures that burn in wildfires ignite from flying embers, so it is essential to find ways to reduce this risk. A well-prepared house and yard can significantly increase your home’s survival with a defense system that hardens your home against wildfire and reduces the fuels in the area.

The Home Ignition Zone, or HIZ, is defined as a distance up to 100 feet from the home (or 200 feet on steeper slopes). The defensible space around your home includes three zones:

• Immediate zone: 0 to 5 feet from each structure
• Intermediate zone: 5 to 30 feet from each structure
• Extended zone: 30 to 100 feet from each structure (up to 200 feet on steep slopes)

Key Actions for Protecting Your Home from Wildfire:

Prune tree limbs at least 10 feet away from the roof, chimney, stovepipe and power lines. - Photo: Kayla Bordelon.

• Keep flammable objects (lawn mowers, oil/gas cans, propane tanks, wood piles) at least 30 feet away from the home. Move any flammables (lawn furniture, toys) during wildfire activity.
• Keep roofs, gutters, decks, and patios clear of combustibles.
• Replace flammable mulch and vegetation within 5 feet of the home with nonflammable material.
• Don’t store anything under porches or decks.
• Trim tree or shrub branches to at least 10 feet from your house, roof, or chimney.
• Keep lawns watered and mowed, or if conserving water, make sure debris is removed within 30 feet of the home.
• Cut tree limbs to 10 feet above the ground or 1/3rd the height of shorter trees.
• Install 1/8-inch metal mesh screens over vents and under decks to prevent ember intrusion.

Have an Emergency Plan

Being ready means having an emergency plan, staying informed about potential risks, and knowing how to access information during an emergency.

A “Go Kit” contains everything you would need to spend 72 hours away from home - Photo: David Pereiras.

• Make sure you are signed up to Hood River Emergency Alerts. If you’re already signed up (or not sure), now is a great time to log in and check that your information is correct.
  
• Prepare yourself and your family for wildfires and possible evacuation by maintaining a “go” bag and having a clear plan. Visit this page for instructions.
• Learn from local success stories about community-driven initiatives to create Firewise communities or Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT).
• Seek out resources and assistance to help you prepare for wildfires.

Wildfire risks are shared among neighbors, making community planning an essential part of wildfire preparedness. Neighborhood efforts to increase emergency access, improve evacuation options, and bolster defensible space can significantly help community preparedness. For more assistance, contact your local fire department or schedule an assessment through the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s program at oregondefensiblespace.org.