Fire Prevention

Each year more and more people move into those previously uninhabited, forested rural areas of Jackson County which have dry, hot summer weather and an increased danger of wildfire. In addition, these remote areas have just as high a risk of structural fires as urban areas, yet longer response times, limited water hydrants, difficult terrain and unpaved roads all increase the risk of losing your home to fire.

A defensible space area is 30 to 200 feet around your home where firefighters can safely make a stand to protect your house during a fire. If your home and landscape are properly maintained, your home is likely to survive a fire even without fire department intervention. The exact size of your defensible space zone depends on the slope of the land and the type of vegetation around your home.

Simple Fire Prevention Measures

• Maintain 30’ of green lawn or fire-resistant plants around your home. Mow grass to less than 6”
• Prune the lower branches of trees below 12’ to remove “ladder fuels” that help ground fires become crown fires.
• Protect large trees by removing fuels under them.
• Trim branches away from your roof and house. Keep gutters clean of debris.
• Trim branches along driveway at least 14’ tall and wide.
• Replace wood shake roofs. Screen vents and areas under decks with metal mesh.
• Store firewood away from your house.
• Water and firefighting tools should be available and ready.
• Maintain good access to your home and ensure that your address is visible and easy to read. Your address should be clearly posted at each rural intersection or road fork with an arrow under your address.

For more information, try these internet resources: www.firewise.org or www.firetree.org.

Firebreaks

A firebreak around your home and along your driveway can be one of the most effec- tive ways to protect your property. Initially this can be a major undertaking, so start small and do a little at a time. Once complete, annual maintenance is much less demanding. Since protecting your home is the primary concern, start there and work outward. Fire burns 16 times faster uphill so start on the downhill side of your home. Firebreaks do not have to sacrifice the scenic beauty or natural setting of your land.

Fire Season Preparation

During fire season both the public and industrial operators are required to follow the Oregon fire prevention laws. Fire season typically begins in mid-June and sometimes as early as mid-May. The end of fire season is more variable, usually ending in mid- October, although it has ended in mid- September to early November. It only takes about one hour for light fuels such as grass to dry out enough to cause an escaped fire.

When fire season is in effect, all open burning is prohibited. Burn barrels are permitted in some jurisdictions. It is necessary to obtain a permit from the local fire department or from ODF to use a burn barrel. Industrial operators will need to obtain a permit to operate power driven machinery and have their fire tools, extinguishers and water supplies at precaution level. Finally, a Public Regulated Use Closure prohibits or regulates times that the public can perform various activities on forest land. These activities include off road vehicle use, campfires, smoking, dry grass mowing, use of chain saws, fireworks and welding. This regulation is subject to change.

Fire Ecology

Fire is a fundamental component of a healthy forest ecosystem. The forests of Southern Oregon have co-adapted with fire which is an integral part of forest regeneration, cleansing and renewal, and the maintenance of plant and animal diversity.

Away from homes and communities, fire is essential to the health of our forests. Fire removes undergrowth that chokes trees and facilitates disease. Burned trees replenish nutrients to the soil. Standing burned snags and downed trees in streams create habitat for wildlife. Significantly, many plants require fire as part of their life cycle.

Burning on Your Property

Under the laws of the State, a person must have a valid burning permit obtained from the Oregon Department of Forestry or local fire protection district to burn any flammable material on state owned, private forest and range lands in unincorporated Jackson County.

On the day you plan to light a fire, call (541) 776-7007 for air quality information specific to that day and location before lighting.

Tips to Prevent a Fire in Your Home

• Make sure that the electrical wiring and breakers in your home and out building are up to code and in good condition.
• Don’t store any flammable liquids or highly flammable material in your home or garage.
• Keep the lint filters and vent piping of clothes dryers clean.
• Keep multi-purpose fire extinguishers in areas of fire risk (kitchen, laundry room, garage). Be sure you know how to operate them before a fire occurs
• If you must use them, don’t leave portable heaters unattended. Keep the area around them clear of flammable materials.
• Be sure that your heating system is properly installed and cleaned regularly. Wood stoves and chimneys for wood stoves must be properly installed and cleaned often.
• Install at least one smoke detector outside every bedroom and on every level of your home. Install them according to building codes. Follow the instructions to regularly test the detectors.
• Keep matches and lighters from children.
• Make sure that your driveway can accommodate a fire truck and has a large turnaround space.
• If possible, provide access for firefighters to large supplies of water (swimming pools, ponds, streams, or water tanks).

Fire Prevention Agencies and Their Responsibilities

The Oregon Department of Forestry is responsible for wildland fire protection and suppression on all State owned and private forest and range lands in unincorporated Jackson County. These responsibilities include regulating outdoor burning and industrial operations on forest lands and providing landowners assistance by inspecting and offering advice on fire prone rural properties.

The Rogue River Siskiyou National Forest District is responsible for fire protection on national forest lands. They will cooperate to assist other agencies in fire suppression.

The Jackson County Rural Fire Protection Districts provide fire protection within rural county district boundaries. The highly trained volunteer firefighters respond to wildland and structural fires. Their primary responsibility is the protection of lives and improved property. However, they also respond to wildland fires within their respective districts and will assist other agencies.

If a Fire Occurs in Your Home

• Crawl low, under the smoke. Feel closed doors with the back of your hand. If hot, do not open and use another escape route. If not hot, open slowly and check for fire and smoke.
• Except for very few fires, such as one in a frying pan, don’t attempt to fight a fire. Fumes and smoke can render you unconscious in just a few minutes.
• Never re-enter a home that is on fire or filled with smoke.
• Call 911 for all fire emergencies.