Wildfire in the Rogue Valley

The Rogue Valley is a fire-adapted ecosystem: the historical fire regime in most of the Rogue Valley was comprised of frequent (5-7 year cycle), low-intensity fires either naturally occurring or applied by Indigenous peoples. These types of fires reduce forest density and other fuel buildup, lowering the risk of large fires; they can also help prevent invasive species expansion while helping native species thrive.

The absence of low-intensity, frequent burns and other related forest management practices has led to forests dense with trees and undergrowth as well as plant litter; these conditions coupled with an increasingly hotter and drier climate, as well as expanded human communities has led to wildfires becoming larger, hotter, and more destructive. The fire season has also lengthened and the frequency of these large, destructive wildfires has increased. All of this has made wildfires become a significant issue in our area that threaten human and ecosystem health and safety.

Prescribed Burning and Thinning

Prescribed burning is a tool that we can use to help manage our forests, increasing their health and reducing the risk of large, destructive wildfires. Prescribed burning mimics the historical low-intensity, frequent burns to produce the benefits of fire without the significant negative impacts and risks of large, uncontrolled wildfires. In terms of impacts, as the adage goes, it's trading a little smoke now, for less smoke later.  

Prescribed burns are carefully planned to control the risks and maximize the benefits; burn plans are created and then conditions monitored up to the day of the burn to ensure safety and success. Where and when it is not possible or appropriate to burn, thinning and other practices can help achieve the benefits of prescribed burns. Thinning and mechanical removal of small trees and shrubs is often undertaken prior to a burn as well.

Wildfire Prevention

While wildfire can be beneficial to ecosystems, right now we are experiencing too many uncontrolled and unplanned wildfires, of which, nearly 85% are started by humans. This outstanding statistic means that we have a very important role to play in keeping our forests and communities safe from the impacts of large, destructive fires.

Here are a few ways to help prevent wildfires from starting:

-Check for burn bans for campfires, home burn piles, and fireworks before any activity.

-Douse campfires with water and stir ashes multiple times; do not leave a campsite until a fire is completely cold.

-Keep sparks away from dry vegetation: don’t use fire sources when it’s windy; don’t drive on dry grass; never throw burning cigarettes out the window.

-Maintain equipment and vehicles to prevent sparks.

Additionally, many large fires have been started by agricultural activities, such as field mowing or soil cultivation. While agricultural activities are exempt from most fire season restrictions, it’s important to take all necessary precautions when engaging in farming practices during fire season. Have water and other firefighting tools on hand during work and set up a fire patrol to watch for ignitions after work is complete.

Home Preparedness and Protection

One of the most important things you can do to try to reduce wildfire impact on your home is to create and maintain defensible space. Key actions to create defensible space are:

-Clear dead and dry plant material from around, under, and on top of your home (at least 10 feet)

 -Keep grass green and moist or cut short

-Store flammable materials such as propane or firewood at least 30 feet from your house

-Trim any tree limbs within 30 feet of your home to be 6 to 10 feet above the ground

-Cover exterior vent openings with wire mesh no larger than 1/8 inch

-Design landscaping with fire prevention in mind, e.g. select fire resistant plants, create fire breaks

You can also work on home hardening: building or retrofitting your home to use fire-resistant materials and design. Key elements you can harden include roofing materials and design, wall siding materials, and windows.

Not only do these actions help protect your home, they also help protect others by reducing wildfire spread and intensity.