 * “I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; And because I cannot do everything I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.”
—Helen Keller
May is Wildfire Awareness Month, and we have to make a lot of progress on that front. SB 762, the Omnibus Wildfire Bill we passed in 2021, has resources for outreach programs to learn more about hardening your home against fire, reducing fuels surrounding your house to create defensible space, signing up for vital emergency notification, and learning about safe and effective evacuation when fires come. Yet as we approach wildfire season, that information just hasn’t reached nearly as many people as it needs to. That’s what I realized at a Town Hall meeting last weekend, as one participant after another said they didn’t really know what to do to effectively prepare for or respond to a major fire.
I hope this edition of our newsletter helps. Below we’ve summarized some of the key terms and listed information resources you can readily access. Spending a few minutes with this material could pay off in a significant way. You’ll be helping all of us in the process, because government, community leaders and early adopters can’t solve this on their own. This new era of living with wildfire clearly needs communities to plan and prepare together.
If you find this special edition useful, I hope you’ll celebrate Wildfire Awareness Month by forwarding it to others.
Thanks,
 Senator Jeff Golden, Oregon Senate District 3
What is defensible space?
Defensible space is the condition you want to create in the zone immediately surrounding your home. The creation of defensible space around your home allows firefighters the ability to get between your home and a wildfire to defend your property. Combined with home hardening, defensible space will markedly increase your home’s chances for surviving wildfire.
How do I create defensible space?
- Remove all dead plants/grass/pine needles from the ground, your deck/patio, gutters, roof, and chimney.
- Remove or prune plants away from windows
- Remove tree branches that touch your roof
- Make sure bark and any combustible landscaping isn't touching the base of your home.
- Keep your lawn mowed
- Move wood piles to Zone 2 (30 feet from your home)
- Prune tree branches to a height of 6 feet off the ground
- Remove highly flammable plants. Examples of highly flammable plants: ornamental juniper, Leyland cypress, Italian cypress, rosemary, arborvitae, eucalyptus, and some ornamental grasses.
For more information about creating defensible space, check out this guide from Oregon State University.
What is home hardening?
Home hardening refers to steps that can be taken to make a home or business more fire resistant.
For more information about home hardening, check out this guide and webinar from Oregon State University Extension.
Fire resistant plants to consider planting this spring:
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Salvia
Perennial herb with a shrub-like growth habit.
Likes: Full sun/part shade, low water needs.
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Carol Mackie
Evergreen shrub with a beautiful bloom.
Likes: Full sun/part shade, moderate water needs. Deer resistant
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Mock orange
Deciduous shrub
Likes: Full sun/part shade, moderate water needs.
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Crab Apple
Deciduous tree
Likes: Full sun/part shade, low water needs. Bird and butterfly friendly.
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Ponderosa Pine
Coniferous tree
Likes: Full sun, low water needs. Deer resistant.
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Ice plant
Ground cover. Low maintenance succulent
Likes: Full sun/part shade, very low water needs.
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Cone flower
Perennial herb that comes in many colors.
Likes: Full sun, low water needs. Deer resistant, butterfly attractor.
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For more information about fire resistant plants, check out this guide created by Oregon State University
 As wildfire season approaches, make sure you've taken these crucial steps to prepare:
- Sign up for emergency notifications here.
- Know your evacuation zone and route. Review yours by clicking on where you live below.
Ashland
Jacksonville
Medford
Phoenix (in the event of a fire the City of Phoenix will text more details about evacuation)
Talent
- Have your emergency kits ready. Here is a recommended list.
If you have any questions about evacuation maps, how to set up emergency notifications, or would like more information about emergency preparedness, call Jackson County Emergency Management: 541-774-6790
Jackson County is in the process of creating a county-wide map of evacuation zones, which they anticipate finishing in June. We'll send that out when it's ready.
 There are a number of resources available for help in the wake of wildfire as well. For now we want to get this information about risk reduction and preparedness distributed as widely as possible. Please consider forwarding this email along to others.
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