Now that the summer dry season is rapidly arriving, or may be already here, everyone should be aware of the possibility of wildfires. Let us not forget last year with the number and size of fires in Oregon. Tillamook County was no exception, although fires were limited compared to the rest of the State. (Kudos to our local firemen who worked to contain these fires.) But who knows what 2021 will bring. Foresters are aware that the areas that have not burned in recent years are where there is buildup for creating and feeding fires; Tillamook County is one such area.
The 2021 fire season began in Oregon June 22. Be aware of the following information.
ODF (Oregon Department of Forestry) – Fire Season has Started June 22
Prohibited during fire season.
- Sky lanterns are prohibited year round throughout Oregon
- Use of exploding targets and tracer ammunition is prohibited
- Backyard debris burning is prohibited
Gordon McCraw, Director at Tillamook County Emergency Management, added the following for Tillamook County.
Additional restrictions mentioned by the Tillamook District:
- No wood burning devices in temporary dwellings (i.e. tents, travel trailers, etc.)
- No fireworks
- Equip each power saw with a shovel and fire extinguisher or a gallon of water
- Provide a 1-hour fire watch after the use of each power saw
- Cutting, welding or grinding must be done in a clear area with the water supply.
Gardeners can help reduce fire threat by appropriate landscaping. OSU Extension has a publication, Fire-resistant Plants for Home Landscapes, PNW 590, that gives advice on creating landscapes that may help protect your property from wildfires. PNW 590 may be downloaded at https://catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/pnw590 by clicking on the pdf button.
From the publication: One way [to protect your home] is to create a defensible space around your home… Three critical steps in creating a defensible space include using fire-resistant building materials (for example, roofing materials), reducing wildland fuels around the home, and using fire-resistant plant material in the landscape. The publication continues to give information on how to create this defensible space with a list of plants that work best.
Help prevent wildfires!
Submitted by Marcille Ansorge