Central Oregon Wildfire Information
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- Oregon Department of Forestry Central Oregon
- Central Oregon Emergency Information Network
- Deschutes County Emergency Information
- PurpleAir Air Quality
Coronavirus Information
USFS 42 Road Wildfire Resilience Project
The Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District is initiating an environmental analysis for the 42 Road GNA Wildfire Resilience Project located on the Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District of the Deschutes National Forest. The project area is west of La Pine State Park near Fall River Hatchery and Wake Butte. Click here to view the Scoping Letter. For additional questions, please contact Alicia Underhill, Environmental Coordinator, by email at alicia.underhill@usda.gov or by phone at 541-383-4012.
Deschutes County Fuel Reduction Discretionary Grant Program
Applications are due by 5 p.m. on Thursday September 30.
The Deschutes County Board of Commissioners has allocated $100,000 to fund fuel reduction projects to
reduce wildfire risk in Deschutes County communities. Discretionary grants are made available through
the County’s portion of proceeds from video lottery gaming. Preference will be given to communities or
neighborhoods that are working to be recognized as a Firewise USA™ site or are currently recognized as
a Firewise USA™ site and are proposing projects consistent with their Firewise action plan and
community assessment. Click here for more information and application form.
Wildfire Home Retrofit Guide
This guide includes specific recommendations for how to retrofit existing components of a home to withstand wildfire. Each section contains an explanation of how the component is vulnerable to wildfire and what can be done to improve that component. The illustrations throughout the Guide are intended to show best practices for reducing the vulnerability of a home to wildfire. Click here to view the guide.
UDRC Defensible Space Program Featured In Midstate Electric Ruralite Article
The organization’s goal is to lessen the impact of wildfires on people’s lives and lifestyles, on their properties and structures, and on the natural resources of the area, including water, trees and wildlife habitat. “Fires can have a serious impact on communities,” says Jerry Hubbard, president of UDRC and a board member of the La Pine Rural Fire Protection District. “There’s been a positive response to the UDRC program. It’s a good incentive to get people to clean up their property.” Click here to read the article.
New Brochure Available From Project Wildfire
Project Wildfire recently completed a brochure for handouts to reach the average resident. The new tri-fold is available for pick-up from the Project Wildfire office at 61150 SE 27th St., Bend and a printer friendly version is available on the web. Click here for a printable brochure. Email boone.zimmerlee@deschutes.org to request copies for your network or community.
Wildfire Home Protection Strategies Workshop
Project Wildfire presents a Wildfire Home Protection Strategies class based on fire science research into how homes and other structures ignite during wildfires as well as information on wildfire behavior, structure exposure, and the concepts of defensible space. You will learn how to analyze wildfire risks to structures, provide actionable advice to property owners, and how to take action in your community. Click here to watch the video.
Firewise Communities Story Map
Deschutes County Project Wildfire has been working on a Story Map that focuses on the communities in Deschutes County that are either already a Firewise recognized site or interested in recognition. Through this story map we highlight the work communities have done, provide examples of projects, along with resources for new communities interested in becoming recognized.
Within the Story Map you will find an interactive map of past fires within Deschutes County along with a map of Firewise Recognized sites with a preview of the community, past projects, and contact info. In the “Becoming Firewise” portion of the Story Map you will find resources to help plan community projects and a checklist to assist new communities in navigating the process of becoming recognized. Click here to view the Story Map.
OSU Extension Fire Aware, Fire Prepared Webinar Series
OSU Forestry and Natural Resources Extension presents a new webinar series that focuses on how you and your community can be the most prepared for fire. Click here for free registration and recorded webinars.
Three Rivers Area Wildfire Risk Report
This report from Headwaters Economics presents data about wildfire risk, socioeconomic vulnerability, and land use to help communities understand their relative wildfire risk profile. It was created through a partnership between Headwaters Economics and the U.S. Forest Service through the Community Planning Assistance for Wildfire program using data from Wildfire Risk to Communities. Click here to view the report.
NFPA Course: Understanding the Wildfire Threat to Homes
This online learning module is an overview of fire history, fire basics, and how homes burn. It’s an excellent resource for residents and other stakeholders that are pursuing knowledge on the basics of how wildfires ignite homes and the actions that can be implemented to make homes safer. Click here for more information.
Firewise Workshops – A Community Approach
We have recently completed a 3 part workshop covering Firewise Basics, Outreach Strategies and Community Project Planning. These workshops were held online with guest speakers including subject matter experts from our local communities and agencies throughout Deschutes County. The purpose of these workshops were to make connections across Firewise sites, share ideas and lessons learned. As an outcome of these workshops a network of support and resources were created to help Firewise sites succeed in their efforts. Click here to view the workshop videos and resources.
UDRC Defensible Space Reimbursement Program
The Defensible Space Reimbursement Program is closed for new applications. Funds have been fully allocated. The program will reopen when more grant funds are available.
The intention of this program is to offer an incentive to South Deschutes County property owners. Creating defensible space will not only mitigate your wildfire risk, but help our communities become more fire adapted. Grant funds are available to help property owners within the Upper Deschutes River and La Pine Community Wildfire Protection Plan areas outside of Sunriver with the cost of creating or maintaining defensible space for wildfire risk reduction. The UDRC will reimburse your expenses for licensed fuels reduction contractors or rental equipment up to $500 maximum. One application from a sole or joint property owner may be submitted each year. The UDRC will not reimburse work completed before your application is approved. Applicants for the Reimbursement Program may not apply for the Low-income Senior program in the same year. Before beginning your fuels reduction project, click here for the online application form with instructions.
UDRC Low-income Senior or Disabled Defensible Space Program
The intention of this program is to offer assistance to property owners who cannot do the work themselves, or afford to hire someone else to do the work. UDRC has partnered with Council on Aging of Central Oregon to provide free wildfire fuels reduction services for low-income senior or disabled homeowners in South Deschutes County. Click here for a printable flyer describing the program. To apply for the Senior Low-income Defensible Space program, click here for the mail in application form with age and income requirements or call Council on Aging at 541-678-5483 to request the application form. Applicants for the Low-income Senior Program may not apply for the Reimbursement program in the same year.
2020 UDRC Wildfire Defensible Space Programs Summary
In 2020 Upper Deschutes River Communities continued providing financial assistance for property owners to create and maintain defensible space for wildfire risk reduction. The UDRC paid $29,480 to reimburse 53 property owners and funded 7 low-income senior defensible space projects. The UDRC is grateful for grant funding from the Maybelle Clark Macdonald Fund, First Interstate Bank, and Burlington Northern Railway for our defensible space programs.
To help with our operating expenses, please consider a tax-deductible donation to the UDRC. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act has a provision allowing people to deduct up to $300 from their adjusted gross income on their tax return for charitable contributions. To make a donation click on Donate. Thank you for your support.