Problem Solvers: After historic 2024 wildfires, Central Oregon ramps up “Firewise” community preparedness
Jillian Fortner
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Oregon experienced its most severe wildfire season on record in 2024, with an estimated 1.9 million acres of forest and grassland burned.
“The 2024 fire season definitely was exceptional,” said Ben Walen, a forest resource officer with the Oregon Department of Forestry.
With summer quickly approaching, the threat of wildfire is once again top of mind, and it’s changing the way we build and protect our communities.
More and more neighborhoods in Central Oregon are joining Firewise USA, a nationwide network of neighborhoods actively working together to decrease the risk of wildfires.
Oregon ranks second in the nation for the number of Firewise communities, just behind California.
32 communities were added across the state last year, bringing the total to nearly 300.
“There’s 70-plus Firewise communities in Deschutes County alone,” Walen said.
The program is grounded in science, showing fire doesn’t consume everything in its path. By adjusting vegetation and fuels around the home, homeowners can significantly reduce the chances of a fire igniting nearby.
One of the core components is defensible space around the home.
Bend Fire & Rescue Fire Inspector Melissa Steele said, “What we’re talking about is that critical, immediate zone. That first five feet around your home. When there are embers flying everywhere, when there’s a wildfire in the area, what is it landing in?”
Defensible space can look like spaced-out trees and shrubs, removing mulch and using fire-resistant plants. Anyone can practice defensible space, but in Firewise communities, you’ll see many houses adopting a set of standards.
Kirk Schueler is the president and CEO of Brooks Resources, a real estate developer in Central Oregon. The company has helped develop neighborhoods that participate in the Firewise USA program, including Discovery West in Bend.
“Most of the neighborhoods on the west side, in fact most of Bend, is considered to be in the wildland urban interface where there is some higher risk of fire damage,” Schueler said.
Firewise isn’t just for neighborhoods. Central Oregon Community College will become the second school in the United States to join the program.
Paula Simone, associate professor of fire science at COCC, said, “I think we’re the first one in Oregon, so hopefully that will be an example for others to follow, which would be great.”
The college recently hosted a wildfire preparedness fair, sharing information about Firewise and defensible space with the community.
While wildfires can’t be prevented, many people feel more confident knowing they’re taking steps to protect what matters most.
“We live in Central Oregon,” Steele said. “It is a high-hazard area. We can’t change that. What we can change is the risk to yourself and to your home.”