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OREGON STATE FIRE MARSHAL NEWS RELEASE
With much of Oregon seeing another year of continued drought and the wildfire outlook for this summer very concerning, the Oregon Office of State Fire Marshal would like to remind Oregonians of the importance of defensible space around their home and property.
Good defensible space can not only prevent embers from igniting your home, but it can also prevent flames from reaching your home altogether. You can protect your home and community from wildfire with some simple steps.
A key to good defensible space is to keep it defined, keep grass and weeds cut low and always be prepared to respond to wildfire. With this in mind, the Office of State Fire Marshal urges you to look around your property. Look for areas where glowing embers could ignite spot fires and vulnerable areas like decks, patios, and fences that can spread flames to your home. The most significant risk of buildings catching on fire during a wildfire is the advancing ember shower that can reach your property long before an actual flame front.
“Wildfire safety starts with all of us and our property. Now is a good time to take action to prepare our homes, families, and communities for wildfires by starting on our property before there is smoke on the horizon,” Oregon State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said.
To address the risk of wildfire, the Office of State Fire Marshal recommends the following steps people can take right now to help protect themselves against the upcoming fire season:
- Clear roofs and gutters of dead leaves, debris, and pine needles that could catch embers
- Ensure your roof is in good repair
- Move any flammable material away from exterior walls, i.e., mulch, flammable plants, leaves and needles, firewood piles
- Remove anything stored underneath decks or porches
- Give your home a non-combustible area where a fire in the landscape can’t reach your home
- Keep lawns and native grasses mowed during high fire danger conditions.
- Remove ladder fuels (vegetation under trees) so a surface fire cannot reach the crowns.
While defensible space at the individual home offers protection, communities can be better protected when every home in the area creates defensible space. This significantly increases the chances that more homes will survive a wildfire event.
“By taking a neighborhood approach to defensible space and community preparedness, you also protect our firefighters,” Ruiz-Temple said. “Ultimately, individuals taking the right steps on their property before fire season will make firefighters safer and more effective.”
With much of Oregon seeing another year of continued drought and the wildfire outlook for this summer very concerning, the Oregon Office of State Fire Marshal would like to remind Oregonians of the importance of defensible space around their home and property.
Good defensible space can not only prevent embers from igniting your home, but it can also prevent flames from reaching your home altogether. You can protect your home and community from wildfire with some simple steps.
A key to good defensible space is to keep it defined, keep grass and weeds cut low and always be prepared to respond to wildfire. With this in mind, the Office of State Fire Marshal urges you to look around your property. Look for areas where glowing embers could ignite spot fires and vulnerable areas like decks, patios, and fences that can spread flames to your home. The most significant risk of buildings catching on fire during a wildfire is the advancing ember shower that can reach your property long before an actual flame front.
“Wildfire safety starts with all of us and our property. Now is a good time to take action to prepare our homes, families, and communities for wildfires by starting on our property before there is smoke on the horizon,” Oregon State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said.
To address the risk of wildfire, the Office of State Fire Marshal recommends the following steps people can take right now to help protect themselves against the upcoming fire season:
- Clear roofs and gutters of dead leaves, debris, and pine needles that could catch embers
- Ensure your roof is in good repair
- Move any flammable material away from exterior walls, i.e., mulch, flammable plants, leaves and needles, firewood piles
- Remove anything stored underneath decks or porches
- Give your home a non-combustible area where a fire in the landscape can’t reach your home
- Keep lawns and native grasses mowed during high fire danger conditions.
- Remove ladder fuels (vegetation under trees) so a surface fire cannot reach the crowns.
While defensible space at the individual home offers protection, communities can be better protected when every home in the area creates defensible space. This significantly increases the chances that more homes will survive a wildfire event.
“By taking a neighborhood approach to defensible space and community preparedness, you also protect our firefighters,” Ruiz-Temple said. “Ultimately, individuals taking the right steps on their property before fire season will make firefighters safer and more effective.”
With much of Oregon seeing another year of continued drought and the wildfire outlook for this summer very concerning, the Oregon Office of State Fire Marshal would like to remind Oregonians of the importance of defensible space around their home and property.
Good defensible space can not only prevent embers from igniting your home, but it can also prevent flames from reaching your home altogether. You can protect your home and community from wildfire with some simple steps.
A key to good defensible space is to keep it defined, keep grass and weeds cut low and always be prepared to respond to wildfire. With this in mind, the Office of State Fire Marshal urges you to look around your property. Look for areas where glowing embers could ignite spot fires and vulnerable areas like decks, patios, and fences that can spread flames to your home. The most significant risk of buildings catching on fire during a wildfire is the advancing ember shower that can reach your property long before an actual flame front.
“Wildfire safety starts with all of us and our property. Now is a good time to take action to prepare our homes, families, and communities for wildfires by starting on our property before there is smoke on the horizon,” Oregon State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said.
To address the risk of wildfire, the Office of State Fire Marshal recommends the following steps people can take right now to help protect themselves against the upcoming fire season:
- Clear roofs and gutters of dead leaves, debris, and pine needles that could catch embers
- Ensure your roof is in good repair
- Move any flammable material away from exterior walls, i.e., mulch, flammable plants, leaves and needles, firewood piles
- Remove anything stored underneath decks or porches
- Give your home a non-combustible area where a fire in the landscape can’t reach your home
- Keep lawns and native grasses mowed during high fire danger conditions.
- Remove ladder fuels (vegetation under trees) so a surface fire cannot reach the crowns.
While defensible space at the individual home offers protection, communities can be better protected when every home in the area creates defensible space. This significantly increases the chances that more homes will survive a wildfire event.
“By taking a neighborhood approach to defensible space and community preparedness, you also protect our firefighters,” Ruiz-Temple said. “Ultimately, individuals taking the right steps on their property before fire season will make firefighters safer and more effective.”
Safety Information
FIRE SAFETY AND PREPAREDNESS
FIRE SAFETY AND PREPAREDNESS
FIRE SAFETY AND PREPAREDNESS
Reviews and advice on how to better prepare your home, deck and property
Oregon Wildland Fire Site
News and Announcements
Oregon State Fire Marshal urges caution during Fourth of July holiday amid increased wildfire risk
SALEM, Ore., – As we approach the Fourth of July holiday, the Oregon State Fire Marshal is urging all Oregonians to be mindful of the hot weather and increased wildfire risk. With temperatures rising, the potential for wildfires is significantly heightened, and Oregonians should take extra precautions to make sure everyone is safe.
"We’ve already seen this year how wildfires can impact communities with the Darlene 3 Fire in Deschutes County. With temperatures forecasted to be in the 90s for the Fourth of July holiday we’ll see an increased risk of wildfire,” Oregon State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said. "We all need to do our part to keep Oregon safe and enjoy a fun, fire-free Fourth of July.
To reduce fire risk, some local governments in Oregon have firework sales or use restrictions in place. Oregonians are asked to check local regulations and follow them where they live or travel to celebrate the Fourth of July.
Consumer-legal fireworks can only be purchased from permitted fireworks retailers and stands. State regulations limit where fireworks may be used. People who plan to visit public lands and parks are asked to leave all fireworks at home. The possession and use of fireworks are prohibited in national parks and forests, on Bureau of Land Management lands, on U.S. Fish and Wildlife properties, on state beaches, in state parks, and in state campgrounds. Fireworks are also prohibited on many private lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry.
For those who purchase legal fireworks, fire officials encourage everyone to practice the four Bs of safe fireworks use:
- Be prepared before lighting fireworks: keep water available by using a garden hose or bucket.
- Be safe when lighting fireworks: keep children and pets away from fireworks. Never use fireworks near or on dry grass or vegetation.
- Be responsible after lighting fireworks: never relight a dud. Please wait 15 to 20 minutes, then soak it in a bucket of water before disposal.
- Be aware: use only legal fireworks in legal places.
Oregon law prohibits the possession, use, or sale of any firework that flies into the air, explodes, or travels more than 12 feet horizontally on the ground without a permit issued by the state fire marshal. Fireworks commonly called bottle rockets, Roman candles, and firecrackers are illegal in Oregon without a permit. Those who misuse fireworks or allow fireworks to cause damage are liable and may be required to pay fire suppression costs or other damages. Parents are liable for fireworks damage caused by their children.
Visit the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s website for resources about the sale and legal use of consumer fireworks, retail sale permits, and state rules for firework use and enforcement activities.
NEWS & Announcements
Home Heating Safety Tips From OSFM
Heating and electrical fires can happen at any time and in any room of your home because of overloaded electrical outlets or extension cords, or placing combustible materials too close to heating equipment. In winter months, heating and electrical residential fires spike because of the increased use of heating appliances and lights. To lo
Heating and electrical fires can happen at any time and in any room of your home because of overloaded electrical outlets or extension cords, or placing combustible materials too close to heating equipment. In winter months, heating and electrical residential fires spike because of the increased use of heating appliances and lights. To lower the risk of a fire caused by heating, there are several simple things you can do to make your home more fire-safe.
All Heating Types
- Use heating equipment with the label of a recognized testing laboratory.
- Keep things that burn such as paper, curtains, bedding, or furniture, at least three feet away from all heating equipment, including fireplaces, wood stoves, and pellet stoves.
- Keep a three-foot “kid and pet-free zone" around all heating equipment.
Heaters
- Use portable space heaters with an automatic shut-off so if they're tipped over they turn off.
- Clean them each year before using them and check for product recalls.
- Unplug portable space heaters when not in use, before going to bed, and when leaving the room.
- Make sure fuel-burning heaters are designed for indoor use and are properly ventilated.
Wood and Pellet-Burning Heating Equipment
(Fireplaces, wood stoves, pellet stoves)
- Maintain heating equipment and chimneys by having them cleaned and inspected at least once a year by a qualified professional.
- In wood stoves and fireplaces, burn only dry, seasoned wood. In pellet stoves, burn only dry, seasoned pellets.
- Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from escaping.
- Place ashes in a metal container, soak them with water, and keep them at least 10 feet away from the home or anything that can burn. Dispose of the ash only after it is cool.
Electrical Fire Safety Tips
- Avoid pinching cords between walls and furniture.
- Do not run electrical cords under carpets or across doorways.
- Avoid electrical overload.
- Consider having an electrician install additional wall outlets where you need them and add a breaker if needed.
- Electrical work should be done by a qualified professional.
Additional Fire Safety Tips
- Read the manufacturer's instructions before operating electrical or heating equipment or appliances.
- Replace items (appliances) with cracked or damaged electrical cords, broken plugs, or loose connections.
- Plug appliances (portable space heaters, refrigerators, stoves, washers, dryers, etc.) directly into a wall outlet and never a power strip or extension cord. Extension cords are for temporary use only.
- Have working smoke alarms on every level of your home (including the basement), inside each bedroom, and in the hallway outside each bedroom.
- Have working carbon monoxide alarms on every level of your home with bedrooms, inside each bedroom, and in the hallway outside each bedroom.