Central Oregon is prone to wildfires in the warmer months with its dry and hot climate. In 2024, according to Central Oregon Fire Management Services, 64 of the 65 fires in Central Oregon were human caused and burnt nearly 1,000 acres. The fires broke out on the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests and the Prineville District of the Bureau of Land Management.
There are many ways to prevent forest fires such as prioritizing responsible campfire practices and using outdoor equipment safely.
The Deschutes National Forest carries out prescribed burns throughout the year that are aimed to help prevent wildfires. Fire management officials and Oregon Department of Forestry work together to plan these burns. They plan to burn up to an estimate of over 8,800 acres this year.
During prescribed burns smoke can settle in areas overnight and in the early mornings. Central Oregon Fire Info, a website created for Central Oregonians to stay informed on the fire maps, air quality and dates of the prescribed burnings, has videos teaching residences how to make do-it-yourself air cleaners and tips on how to stay healthy when there’s smoke in the air.
According to Oregon Wildfire Response and Recovery, the three main ways to prevent a wildfire consist of knowing if campfires are prohibited, checking the burning regulations and creating a 30-foot perimeter, also known as the home ignition zone which is a notion created by USDA Forest Service Fire Scientist, Jack Cohen in the late 1990s. This home ignition zone was made to help homeowners prepare and prevent their house and surrounding property from catching fire. The website also suggests to “make sure your landscape is lean, clean and green.” Meaning the shrubbery is spaced apart, your property is exempt from flammable debris and your plants are healthy, thus creating a less combustible residence. The website also has multiple resources for recovery, housing solutions and drinking water supply.
On April 30 Central Oregon Community College hosted a wildfire preparedness fair that included tips for protecting your home, evacuation planning and prevention education. The Bend Fire Department also has multiple informational fire safety videos on their website, ranging from turkey frying safety tips to carbon monoxide detector information.
Residences frequently ask if Ponderosa Pine trees, native to Central Oregon and making up most of the surrounding forests, can survive small fires that occur during prescribed burnings. According to Central Oregon Fire Info, they will “return to their happy green state typically within one year.” These fires do not kill the trees, but aid in prevention of wildfires.
