Too many forest homeowners have traditionally relied on either good luck or the "it can't happen here" strategy to evade losses from wildfires. While Fire Safe programs contain easy and simple things to do around forest properties many homeowners fail to take all or even the easiest and least expensive steps to protect their home. A recent study in Michigan pointed out that all to often landowners felt that wildfires were uncontrollable and that their actions would be ineffective and of little value to firefighters. Here on the west slopes of the Cascades these attitudes are reinforced by a short fire season and relatively infrequent severe fire seasons.

As forest landowners in the Douglas-fir region, we all know that the landscape of the foothills and middle slopes of the Cascades have been shaped by infrequent stand replacement fires. Successful fire suppression efforts have dulled our sense of the risk we face. Sooner or later damaging wildfires will occur.

Fire Safe program offers simple directions. We all know them. Keep your roof and gutter free of debris and leaves. Don't stack firewood near a building. Clear out debris from under decks. Remove all flammable vegetation for at least 50 feet from buildings. Maintain driveways so they are capable of safely accommodating modern fire engines and their equally large support vehicles. They need adequate space to turn around and park. Where possible maintain good access to ponds or streams. Clearly sign your address so you can be found easily. Fire retardant roofing should be considered in all new construction and reroofing projects.

Outlying areas are equally important in forested areas. Concentrations of flammable debris and slash should be eliminated for at least 100 feet beyond the 50 foot zone. This area should be extended even further on steep slopes below buildings. Prune limbs up to 16 to 20 feet above ground and thin stands to reduce the density of the canopy. Several feet of open space between tree canopies should be provided; 10 feet should be maintained between crowns nearest buildings. Six to eight feet crown spacing may suffice farther away. This spacing is not much different than those recommended by many thinning guidelines for maintaining growth rates in young second growth. Existing skid trails and even narrow roads should be clear to act as fire lines or anchor points where new fire lines may start. Providing property protection as described here will have the greatest payoff during those periods when fire agencies are overtaxed by several fires and decisions are made about what property can be saved and what is indefensible because of the threat from the vegetation surrounding buildings or unsafe access.

Fire Safe information and guidance is available from the Oregon Department of Forestry or a local fire station.

Editor's Note: Multnomah County tree farmer, Jack Carter, is the CCFFA Program Co-Chair.