Wildfire Preparedness

Year-Long Tips for Home and Landscape

You can make your home and its surroundings safer from wildfire by using these tips.

• Keep your lawn and landscape healthy by mowing regularly, watering and removing any dead or decayed plants.
• Prune trees so the lowest limbs are 6-10 feet from the ground. Remove dead or overhanging branches.
• Remove leaf clutter and pine needles from gutters, under your deck and around your home.
• Create a "fire free" area within five feet of your home, using nonflammable landscaping materials and low-growing, high moisture plants around your home.
• Consider using Class-A asphalt roof shingles, clay tile, or slate roofing materials.
• Enclose eaves and bird stops to keep out firebrands.
• Keep firewood piles, propane tanks and other flammable items at least 30 feet away from your home, deck, or porch. 

When a Wildfire Threatens...

Here are some important tasks you can do when a wildfire is imminent.

• Be sure gutters, roof, and valleys are clear of leaves and dead branches.
• Remove combustible materials - lawn furniture, doormats, garden accessories and tarps, etc. from decks and around the house.
• Close attic, basement, outside & pet doors, vents and windows.
• Remove flammable drapes from windows; close shutters and blinds.
• Connect garden hose and fill large containers with water inside and outside.
• Wet down vegetation within 30 feet of home.
• Leave doors and windows unlocked; disconnect garage door opener for firefighter access.
• Shut off natural gas, propane, or fuel oil supplies at the source.
• Evacuate early with valuable papers.

Governor Kate Brown

Fire Resistant Landscaping Tips

Fire Resistant Plants for Landscaping

Prepared to Prevent Fires at Home