The UDRC will host four quarterly public meetings in 2020. The April 9 meeting will have a presentation about community wildfire preparation by Boone Zimmerlee, Deschutes County Fire Adapted Communities Coordinator.
Announcements
Central Oregon Coronavirus Information
Central Oregon Emergency Information Network
Deschutes County COVID-19 Information
USDA Rural Development COVID-19 Assistance
Effective March 19, borrowers with USDA single-family housing Direct and Guaranteed loans are subject to a moratorium on foreclosure and eviction for a period of 60 days. For more information, click here.
Free Yard Debris Recycling
Knott Landfill: 7 AM – 5 PM, May 2nd through May 10th, 2020
61050 SE 27th Street, Bend
La Pine Southwest Transfer Station: 8 AM – 4 PM, May 15th -16th, 22nd – 23rd 2020
54580 Highway 97, La Pine
Sunriver Compost Site: 8 AM – 4 PM, May 15th – 16th
18305 Cottonwood Road, Sunriver
Free Wildfire Home Protection Strategies Classes: Canceled
The classes scheduled for April 2nd and 3rd have been canceled. They will be rescheduled for a later date.
Deschutes County Fire Adapted Communities Coordinator
Boone Zimmerlee will serve as the new Deschutes County Fire Adapted Communities Coordinator. Boone spent the past 10 years working for Oregon Department of Forestry as a Stewardship Forester assisting landowners in reaching the goals of their lands through grant work and forest health assistance. Contact Boone at Boone.Zimmerlee@deschutes.org or phone: 541-322-7129.
NFPA and State Farm Wildfire Community Preparedness Day
The seventh annual Wildfire Community Preparedness Day will take place on Saturday, May 2, 2020. Since 2014, community groups and individuals have taken part in the campaign, completing hundreds of wildfire safety projects across the United States. Preparedness Day gives people of all ages a chance to plan and participate in a risk reduction or wildfire preparedness activity that makes their community a safer place to live.
BNSF Railway Foundation Awards Fuels Reduction Grant
The URDC has received a $5000 grant from the BNSF Railway to fund the Defensible Space Reimbursement Program. Funds will be used for fuels reduction in communities within two miles of the BNSF railway corridor.
FEMA Wildfire Public Service Announcement Videos
FEMA has created a series of Wildfire Public Service Announcements on why it’s essential to be prepared, make a plan early, and follow evacuation orders. Speakers include both residents and first responders who experienced the Camp Fire in 2018.
Deschutes Basin Habitat Conservation Plan
The Draft Deschutes Basin Habitat Conservation Plan (Plan) and associated Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) are now available. Learn more about the Habitat Conservation Plan.
How to Prepare for Wildfire in Upper Deschutes River Communities
Project Wildfire has published a brochure on wildfire risk, defensible space, evacuation, and resources for Upper Deschutes River Communities. Click on How to Prepare for Wildfire to view the brochure.
If your home has been assessed by the La Pine Rural Fire Protection District, you can see your wildfire risk assessment by going to Oregon Ready, Set, Go! and clicking on “My Risk: Go to the Map”. The Deschutes County Evacuation Guide outlines the levels to prepare for wildfire evacuation. The Central Oregon Fire Information website has current wildfire information from all public agencies.
Low-income Senior or Disabled Defensible Space Program
UDRC has partnered with Council on Aging to provide free wildfire fuels reduction services for low-income senior or disabled homeowners in South Deschutes County. Click on printable flyer describing the program. To apply for the Senior Low-income Defensible Space program, click on application form which includes age and income requirements.
In consideration of Governor Brown’s executive order to “stay at home to the maximum extent possible” to limit the spread of coronavirus, property assessments have been suspended until the order is lifted.
Defensible Space Reimbursement Program
The UDRC Defensible Space Reimbursement Program is now open for applications. The UDRC will help landowners in the UDRC area neighborhoods 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 per landowner. Because funds are limited, this program is restricted to communities between Spring River Road and La Pine State Recreation Road and the Spring River, Haner Park, and Wild River communities. To qualify for this program fill out the online application form.