Wildfire prevention and safety
At this time of year, fire danger will quickly increase as fuels dry out with warm weather. Wildfire prevention should be top of mind to anyone at home, working or playing outdoors. Hood River County includes forest and wildlands that pose dangerous fire risk, especially when conditions are dry and hot.
Defensible space around home
Around 90% of wildfires are caused by humans and could have been prevented. The local fire season generally lasts from mid-June to mid-October, but start and end dates fluctuate each year depending on conditions. This year’s fire season started on June 9th. As the season progresses, Regulated Use restrictions are often added by the Oregon Department of Forestry as safety precautions to prevent the unthinkable from happening.
Though trails, campgrounds and forestlands offer many different types of outdoor recreation, experience confirms that many outdoor activities can ignite fires. For this reason, local agencies and the State restrict campfires, smoking, or any type of open flame or activity that could cause a spark in dry, natural areas. Following any restrictions for burning, campfires, and equipment use are the three main ways to protect the area.
- Do not burn debris during fire season. Consider chipping, composting, or recycling yard debris instead of burning at other times.
- Avoid parking on dry grass
- If campfires are allowed, make sure your fire is cold to the touch before leaving.
- Check tow chains and trailers to make sure they are not dragging.
- Keep flammable objects (lawn mowers, oil/gas cans, propane tanks, wood piles) at least 30 feet away from the home always. Move any flammables (lawn furniture, toys) during wildfire activity.
- Keep roofs, gutters, decks and patios clear of leaves, pine needles or other flammables. Repair or replace any loose or missing shingles, window screens, or windows.
- Remove flammable mulch and vegetation within 5 feet of the home and replace with nonflammable material. Don’t store anything under porches or decks.
- Remove tree or shrub branches within 10 feet of your house, roof, or chimney.
- Keep lawns watered and mowed, or if conserving water, make sure debris is removed within 30 feet of home.
- Trim tree limbs 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.
- Prepare your property to reduce the risk of your home burning down in the event of fire in your neighborhood.
- Understand local emergency planning, alert systems and fire response.
- Learn from local success stories about community-driven action to develop Firewise communities.
- Find resources and assistance to help you prepare for wildfire.
Hood River County Emergency Management prepares for, coordinates response and logistical support, mitigation and community recovery for natural and man-made disasters and large-scale emergencies. Emergency notifications from are available to Hood River County residents from the Emergency Management Department. Notifications allow the County to provide critical information quickly for a variety of situations, including wildfires. Sign up to receive time-sensitive messages wherever you specify (your home, mobile or business phones, email address, text messages and more). To register or check your preferences, click HERE
RELATED LINKS for Safety Tips and Local Preparedness.
- Information on Wildfire Prevention and Current Conditions.
- Information on Prevention at Home, Work or Play.
- ODF Fire Restrictions and Closures in Central Oregon.
- Oregon State University Extension has published a Wildfire Preparedness in Hood River County video and a PowerPoint presentation with details on prevention and preparedness.
2003 White Salmon Bluff Fire