Wildfires Happen Here ... Be Prepared
"Creating defensible space is essential when you live in Bend. This space means your home can standalone without suppression resources. It helps protect your home and gives firefighters a safer place to work." Credit: City of Bend
... and Become Fire-Adapted
"What we can do is prevent homes from burning down. We will never have enough engines during a wildfire. The difference is often made before fire arrives, at the homeowner or resident level." Credit: Fire Safe People TV
Your Home Can Survive a Wildfire ...
"We don't have a wildfire problem. We have a home ignition problem...We have a great opportunity as homeowners to prevent our homes from igniting." -- Dr. Jack Cohen Credit: NFPA
Firewise Communities Are Successful ...
"Fall Creek is an area where we can stop this fire... It's well mitigated and it's a Firewise Community... They took ownership to reduce their risks in an area prone to wildfires and gave firefighters a chance." Credit: NFPA
... IF We Adapt to Wildfire.
"You can prevent loss... You don't have to live in a concrete bunker... We wanted to live in a forest; we didn't expect the forest to adapt to us." Credit: Elemental, Reimagine Wildfire
Small Changes Can have a BIG Impact ...
"It might seem like there's nothing you can do when a wildfire is coming right at you or your home...but there are practical steps you can take to protect your home and family." Credit: GMA
... and Help Prevent Urban Conflagration.
Preventing home ignitions from embers is critical. Reducing structure-to-structure ignitions will help prevent a wildfire from transforming into an urban conflagration. Credit: PBS
Significant Wildland Fire Potential Outlook:
Sep 2026 - Dec 2026
Wildland Significant Fire Potential Outlook, published 9/1/26
Wildland Significant Fire Potential Outlook, published 9/1/26
Wildland Significant Fire Potential Outlook, published 9/1/26
Wildland Significant Fire Potential Outlook, published 9/1/26
Prepare Yourself
The best time to prepare is before a crisis. Know how you'll evacuate and reconnect with family and friends. Your safety matters most. During an evacuation, roads become congested with dust and smoke, making travel slow. Leave early whenever possible!
1. SIGN UP FOR ALERTS
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Deschutes Alerts for emergency alerts
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COFIRE for smoke & wildfire notices
2. BE READY TO EVACUATE
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Pack a "Go Kit" & dress for survival
3. BE "INSURANCE-READY" FOR LOSS
4. BE READY FOR POWER LOSS
5. STAY VIGILANT DURING "FIRE YEAR"
Prepare Your Home & Yard
Wildfires can quickly overcome available resources. It's important that your home is "stand alone defensible" without fire suppression support.
Take recommended steps to harden your home and create defensible space to prevent ignition from embers, radiant heat and flame contact. Progress takes time so address the most critical zone first: your home, including deck and fence attachments, and the first 5 feet around your home's foundation.
Reducing vegetation and eliminating combustible materials in the 0-5 foot zone around your home will nearly double its likelihood of survival. Over time, work to extend your defenses to 30 feet, then 100 feet, or to your property line.
Recommendations from the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and Bend Fire & Rescue include:
1. HARDEN YOUR HOME
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Screen decks & learn how decks ignite
2. CREATE DEFENSIBLE SPACE
Prepare Your Community
Wildfire preparedness depends on all of us. The Firewise Program helps neighbors work together to protect their homes from wildfire, prevent loss, and provide firefighters a safer place to fight fire.
1. GET TO KNOW YOUR NEIGHBORS
Home ignition zones often overlap so collaborating with neighbors will help improve safety and fire outcomes for everyone.
2. BECOME A FIREWISE COMMUNITY
Firewise USA is sponsored by the National Fire Protection Association, US Forest Service, US Department of the Interior, and National Association of State Foresters.
As part of the application process, fire agency experts will conduct a community wildfire risk assessment to help you and your neighbors understand your collective risks and identify the most effective actions across your community to prevent home ignitions during a wildfire.
Knowledge builds awareness which leads to voluntary action and better preparation across the entire neighborhood over time.
Being Firewise simply means your community acknowledges its wildfire risks and is banding together to prepare.
Program benefits include:
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Expert advice & a framework for action
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Free community education resources
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Increased community resiliency
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Greater peace of mind
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Stronger community relations
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Access to grant funding
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More likely insurance eligibility
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Insurance discounts with certain carriers
Find out if you live in a Firewise Community
Become a Firewise Community
Contact us for help to get started!