Preparing now for Wildfire is a grim fact of life in Sisters Country. Virtually every summer for the past two decades, we have seen our lives disrupted by encroaching conflagrations and dense smoke. We cannot control the lightning storms that so often spark these blazes, nor drought conditions and the winds that drive them — but we can control how we prepare for and respond to them. Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District Chief Roger Johnson notes that there is a national strategy to cope with the massive wildfires that have especially plagued the American West — adapting communities to fire through prescribed burning to create buffers, crafting building codes to require more “hardened” homes, and improving emergency response, including evacuation notification. “It’s a three-legged stool, is how people describe it,” he said. But one of the most critical responsibilities in protecting homes from fire sits squarely on the shoulders of local residents.
Creating defensible space
The creation of a 30-foot buffer around your home is the single most important thing you can do to enhance your home’s chances of withstanding a fire. It gives firefighters a fighting chance to save your home. Creating defensible space around your home doesn’t mean things can’t look nice — it means creating an area of at least 30 feet around the home where combustibles are kept cleared away, trees limbed back and landscaping crafted with plants that don’t
readily ignite and carry fire. Simple things like moving your firewood stack away from your house, avoiding the use of bark mulch around the house and deck, and keeping juniper bushes from brushing up against structures can go a long way toward making your home more defensible. Keep your gutters cleared. Steps to create defensible space and tips on fire-resistant landscaping may be found at www.project wildfire.org/resources/. Products are available to spray on your home that can enhance its resistance to fire. Those have to be applied well before any crisis develops and should be part of a program of defensibility and not a substitute for defensible space. An important part of creating defensible space is ensuring that your home is accessible to firefighting equipment. Make sure your street numbers are visible from the road, and keep your driveway cleared 12 feet wide and 13 feet tall so that firetrucks can get in — and out — safely. Chief Johnson pointed to the massively destructive fires that roared through Santiam Canyon and McKenzie Canyon last September. The only homes that survived were ones that had some buffer around them. “A lot of it is that when fires like these come through communities, it’s a snowstorm of embers,” he said. The fewer combustible places there are for those embers to fall upon, the better chance your home has of surviving, even in the midst of an unstoppable firestorm. Doug Green, the Sisters District’s
WILDFIRE
Emergency Supply Kit Checklist See Ready.gov for more information.
may save your home
❏ Water (one gallon per person per ❏ Plastic sheeting and duct tape
By Jim Cornelius | Editor in Chief PHOTO PROVIDED
Wildland fire managers have done a lot of work to create buffers around local communities with prescribed burns. Protecting individual homes through the creation of defensible space is up to us. community risk and fire safety manager notes that creating defensible space at your home enhances the safety of others as well. “It’s also the thing to do to be a good neighbor,” he said. When a home burns, it throws out even more embers than the trees and brush do, and once a fire starts roaring through a neighborhood, it gains momentum. And that raises another point that Green and Chief Johnson emphasize: Defensible space is not merely a matter for those living on the fringes of the forest. In the Labor Day fires, 38 percent of the homes lost were in incorporated areas — towns and cities. A wildfire can readily become an urban
GET
conflagration. Defensible space and fire preparation are responsibilities for everyone who lives in Sisters Country.
Be ready to evacuate NOW
Over the past 20 years of fires, Sisters residents have gotten used to planned, deliberate evacuations, with trigger points predetermined and notices sent out, along with door-todoor notification. Residents feel like they have time. Recent events have shown that evacuations don’t always happen that way. When an overheated electrical cord to a travel trailer started a fire in the area of Rabbitbrush Lane east of Sisters on August 11, 2018, the situation got dire very, very quickly.
The neighborhood had to be evacuated immediately. Just last month, heavy winds kicked up a smoldering debris fire in Bend; a fast-moving wildfire forced residents out of their home at a moment’s notice. In the canyon conflagrations of September, the fires evolved so quickly that many residents barely escaped with their lives — and some perished. Part of living in wildfire country involves being ready — having a plan and preparations in place to evacuate. It’s a good idea to assume you’re at Level 1 (Be Ready) starting on June 1. Emergency officials strongly advise locals to sign up for Deschutes Emergency Alerts. The Deschutes Alert System (DAS) can be used to
PR EPAR ED
notify the public with important information during an emergency. Alerts can be sent to cell phones - but only if your number is registered. Sign up at www.deschutes.org/911/page/ sign-deschutes-emergency-alerts. Chief Johnson notes that Deschutes County will opt in to a statewide standardized alerting system, but that has not yet come online. The county is also piloting with Jackson County a program called Zone Haven, which designs predetermined and preprogramed evacuation zones for communities. “It’s designed to speed up evacuations,” he said. For more information, visit www. zonehaven.com.
FOR
day for several days, for drinking and sanitation) ❏ Food (at least a three-day supply of nonperishable food) ❏ Battery-powered or hand-crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert ❏ Flashlight ❏ First-aid kit ❏ Extra batteries ❏ Whistle (to signal for help) ❏ Dust mask (to help filter contaminated air)
If you have horses and other livestock, it’s imperative to plan for evacuation contingencies, including prearranged places to take your large animals. There are “official” resources available for large animal evacuations, but you should have a contingency plan that can be implemented instantly in an immediate crisis. Make arrangements with friends who have trailers and space for animals. Extra advance planning may also be necessary if you are dealing with people who have mobility issues or special medical needs. Planning for evacuation doesn’t have to be on the scale of a military
(to shelter in place) ❏ Moist towelettes, garbage bags, and plastic ties (for personal sanitation) ❏ Wrench or pliers (to turn off utilities) ❏ Manual can opener (for food) ❏ Local maps ❏ Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery ❏ Always keep a sturdy pair of shoes and a flashlight near your bed and handy in case of a sudden evacuation at night.
operation — it just requires some thought and effort when things are calm. Sometimes residents feel compelled to stay to try to defend their home. Firefighters and other emergency personnel strongly advise against this impulse. Not only does it put the homeowner in danger, it endangers firefighters and law-enforcement personnel at grave risk, because they are duty-bound to try to help you if you’re in danger. We can’t prevent wildfire, but if everybody does their part, we can make Sisters Country more ready and resilient.
In Sisters Country, wildfires aren’t a question of if, but only a question of when. If you choose to live near a natural area you are at risk for wildfires, and it’s your responsibility to prepare yourself, your family, and your home. Please review this path to preparedness to ensure you are READY and SET if you need to GO this fire season! #WildfirePreparedSisters
STEP 1: DEFENSIBLE SPACE
STEP 2: RECYCLE YARD DEBRIS
STEP 3: KEEP ADDRESS SIGNS VISIBLE
Defensible space is essential to protect a structure during a wildland fire. Defensible space is located in the Home Ignition Zone, which includes the home and an area surrounding the home within 100-200 feet.
Instead of burning, take advantage of free yard debris recycling events. See www.firefree.org/firefreeevents/ for full details.
Help Us Find Your Address!
1. Reduce flammable brush 2. Prune or remove trees 3. Keep grass and weeds cut low 4. Clear wood piles and building materials away from home 5. Keep your yard and roof clean For the complete checklist, see page 18 or visit www.sistersfire.com and click on “wildfire preparedness.”
A home with adequate defensible space is more likely to be spared during a wildfire.
NW Transfer Station (Sisters): May 22-June 5, 2021 Open Wednesday-Saturday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. 68200 Fryrear Rd., Sisters If you can’t recycle your yard debris, and are outside the Sisters city limits, complete your spring burning safely by following local outdoor burning regulations and registering for a burn permit: https://www.sistersfire.com/outdoor-burning-regulations/.
COMPLETE BY MAY 31 PHOTOS BY THAD OLSEN
Most houses sit back away from the main roads and address numbers on your house may not be visible to Fire District personnel trying to find your house. In a major emergency this could delay life-saving help that is desperately needed! Our goal is to have all occupancies with LEGIBLE and VISIBLE addresses. To achieve this goal, we ask for your assistance. To order a new or replacement sign, visit https://www.sistersfire.com/home/ departments/fire prevention-2/ emergency-address-signs/.
COMPLETE BY MAY 31
COMPLETE BY MAY 21
A home with trees and fuels encroaching on it is susceptible to wildfire and unsafe for fire personnel to attempt to protect.
LEARN MORE ONLINE AT HTTPS://WWW.SISTERSFIRE.COM/HOME/DEPARTMENTS/FIRE-PREVENTION/WILDFIRE-PREPAREDNESS/
STEP 4: BE PREPARED TO RESPOND TO WILDFIRE Keep a 72-hour kit handy. Know evacuation routes from your neighborhood and practice them with your family, using a checklist of what to do before leaving. Visit http://coemergencyinfo.blogspot.com/ for more information.
COMPLETE BY JUNE 1
Bull Springs fire a stark reminder of danger operations and to be prepared for incidents such as last month’s fire. Visit www.sistersfire.com/ outdoor-burning-regulations/ to access the program. 1 . C r e a t e y o u r o w n account on the publicfire safety.com website or app. You will be registering your contact information with the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District. Be aware the district will be using e-mail and text messaging to communicate, and normal rates will apply. 2. Create a burn day report for each day you plan to burn. Let the Fire District know where and when you plan to burn, and agree to the terms and conditions for each burn. Fire District staff will be able to provide advice before and during your burn. 3. Check your mobile
phone at least hourly during your outdoor burns. Fire District staff will be monitoring conditions throughout each day; critical changes in conditions — such as stiffening winds — may trigger emergency updates calling for quick action on your burn. Check local regulations before burning. The City of Sisters does not allow yard debris burning at any time during the year within their jurisdiction, and certain homeowner’s associations may have further restrictions in place. Staff will continue to monitor weather and fuel moisture conditions in the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District and may make modifications on a day-to-day basis. If conditions become drier, individual agencies may choose to close local burning.
The fire in Bend last month is an indicator that Central Oregon is poised for another active wildfire season. That is confirmed in the April 1 National Significant Wildland Fire Potential Outlook provided by the National Interagency Fire Center. The Center reports that, “Climate outlooks indicate warmer and drier than normal conditions are likely for much of the Plains and Intermountain West through spring into early summer continuing and exacerbating drought there … Central Oregon and central and southeast Washington are likely to have above normal significant fire potential beginning in June ...”
PREPARE FOR
SISTERS CHECKLIST✔
In Sisters Country, wildfires aren’t a question of if, but only a question of when. If you choose to live near a natural area, you are at risk for wildfires and it’s your responsibility to prepare yourself, your family and your home. And that preparation starts with three simple steps: READY, SET, GO! Please use this checklist for preparing for the upcoming wildland fire season over the next seven weeks and be part of the movement #WildfirePreparedSisters. Property Preparedness
Yes
No
Has vegeta on been removed and modified in the recommended zones around your home?
WILDFIRE PREPARED
The Bull Springs Fire which broke out west of Bend on Sunday, March 28, serves as a stark reminder that debris burning can create danger of local residents. The blaze was reported late Sunday afternoon burning in slash, ponderosa pine, juniper, and brush. The wind-driven fire grew quickly, burning 211 acres before fire fighters were able to stop the spread. Two outbuildings were destroyed by the fire, and nearly 200 residences were placed in a Level 3 (GO) evacuation that evening. Coordination between Bend Fire Department, Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon Department of Forestry, and federal resources from Central Oregon Fire Management Service were the key to catching this fire Sunday evening and protecting structures and homes in the fire area. Aided by dozers from Taylor Northwest, fire crews were able to get line around the fire’s perimeter and focus on spot fires outside the fire line. The cause of the fire has been determined to be a rekindled debris burn. The Oregon Department of Forestry notes that heat can hold in burn piles and even under soil for many weeks with no visible smoke. With limited recent moisture in Central Oregon, vegetation and wildland fuels are very dry, making them susceptible to ignition and rapid fire spread, especially on windy days. Residents are reminded to check burn piles and burn areas from any debris burning completed this winter or spring to ensure there is no residual heat or fire. Below are some tips to reduce the risk of a fire getting out of control: • Check weather forecasts. Avoid burning on windy days or when wind is forecast to be erratic or increasing. • Check with local fire department and county restrictions to be certain burning is allowed and what restrictions should be followed. • Never leave a fire unattended. Be certain the fire is completely out prior to leaving. • Have a water source and shovel available while burning. • Keep debris piles small. Add material gradually as the pile burns down. • Ensure burned piles are cold prior to adding new material for future burning. • Contact 911 immediately if the fire gets out of control. The Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District has implemented an online burn monitoring program to help keep track of burning
Are the rain gu ers and roof free of leaves, needles and branches? Are all vent openings screened with 1/8 inch mesh metal screen? Does your home have a metal, composi on, or le (or other Class A) roof? Does the house have noncombus ble or igni on-resistant siding material? Are the eaves “boxed-in” using noncombus ble materials? Has the 0-5 foot noncombus ble zone been developed and maintained? Is the underdeck area free of combus ble material? Is all firewood at least 30 feet from the house?
Get Ready
Is your Wildland Fire Ac on Plan Completed? Have you registered for Deschutes County Emergency Alerts?
Have you prepared your 72-hour kit for your family?
Have you made a list of your 5 “P”s – People, Pets, Pills, Photos, and Important Papers? Do you have several different evacua on routes planned?
Get Set
Are you able to monitor fire weather condi ons and fire status? Are you ready to evacuate as soon as you are aware of a possible threat to your home or route?
Have you loaded your 5 “P” s and 72-hour kit into your car?
Have you closed all windows and doors?
Have you removed all combus bles from within 30 feet of your home?
Have you shut off natural gas and propane? Are you able to stay close to your house, drink plenty of water and keep an eye on family/pets un l it is me to leave?
Go
Are you prepared to leave early enough to avoid being caught in fire, smoke or road conges on? Do you have your predetermined loca on set when you evacuate? Do you have several travel routes in case one route is blocked by the fire or emergency vehicles? Do you have your families/pets emergency supply kit with all your necessary items?
Enter for your chance to win a set of engraved camper mugs. Review our daily messages via your favorite social media platform (Facebook, Twitter or Instagram) and tag us in your photos as you work through our Wildfire Prepared Sisters checklist preparing for the upcoming wildfire season. Simply enter via your public Instagram or Twitter account, or post your photo directly to the District’s Facebook timeline (@SCSRFPD) using #WildfirePreparedSisters for a chance to win! Winners will be announced on Monday, May 17, 2021.