Benton County outreach campaign urges wildfire prevention & preparedness

In August, Benton County is partnering with the Oregon Department of Forestry, City of Corvallis, Corvallis Police Department, Benton County Sheriff's Office, and the Benton County Health Department for a wildfire awareness and outreach campaign to share information about prevention, creating defensible space, evacuation and alerts, evacuation shelters and wildfire health concerns.

"Recent wildfires have proved that it has never been more important to prepare ourselves, our families, and our communities for wildfire," said Benton County Emergency Manager Bryan Lee. "We are encouraging community members to prevent and prepare for wildfire. One way to do that is by creating defensible space around your home."

The National Fire Protection Association encourages the public to practice wildfire prevention at home by creating defensible space. Recommendations have been established for three zones that include the immediate, intermediate, and extended zones. Actions such as removing dead leaves, debris, and pine needles from your roof and gutters and moving flammable material away from wall exteriors - mulch, flammable plants, leaves and needles, firewood piles, and anything that can burn will minimize the likelihood of flames or surface fire touching the home or any attachments.

Protection Unit Forester Leo Williamson from the Oregon Department of Forestry Philomath Unit said preparing for and preventing wildfire takes a coordinated effort that includes the public and government agencies working together.

"Daily, our fire crews and cooperators stress the importance of preparedness so we are ready to respond quickly and suppress fires on the landscape. We encourage the community to embrace the same attitude in how they approach preparing themselves for a wildfire event," explained Williamson. "It goes beyond having a go bag and an evacuation plan. Creating defensible space that includes maintaining good clearance on your driveway for emergency vehicle access is an important piece to that puzzle to protect your home from wildfire."

Learn more about how to create defensible space and other prevention measures around your home.