Wildfire Preparedness
Preparing for wildfire starts at home and extends throughout our community. Cloverdale Fire offers free defensible space assessments and resources to help residents reduce wildfire risks around their properties and work with neighbors on shared preparedness efforts.
Prepare Your Home and Property
Defensible space is the area around your home where vegetation, debris, and other materials are managed to reduce the risk of fire reaching the structure. Regular maintenance can also reduce places where windblown embers could ignite a fire.
Start with these steps:
- Clear leaves and pine needles from roofs and gutters.
- Remove flammable debris from beneath decks and near your home.
- Keep grass maintained and remove dead vegetation.
- Move firewood and other combustible materials away from buildings.
- Make sure your address is visible to emergency responders.
Visit the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s website for guidance on preparing your home and managing the areas around it.
Explore Defensible Space Resources
Request a Free Defensible Space Assessment
Not sure where to begin? Cloverdale Fire offers free defensible space assessments to help district residents identify practical ways to reduce wildfire risk around their homes and property.
A wildland specialist will visit your property, discuss areas of concern, answer questions, and help you prioritize improvements. This educational visit is provided at no cost.
Complete the request form below. District staff will contact you to discuss your request and coordinate scheduling.
Please Note Home Assessments Will Not Be Completed During Winter Months Due To Snow And Ice.
Assessment Request Form
*Required fields. Please provide at least one contact method.
Submitting this form requests an assessment. Your appointment is not scheduled until confirmed by district staff.
FireFree: Property Preparation and Yard Debris Disposal
FireFree provides practical information to help Central Oregon residents prepare their homes for wildfire. Its guidance covers property cleanup, vegetation maintenance, and other steps to reduce wildfire risk.
Seasonal FireFree yard debris collection events can help residents dispose of materials removed during cleanup. Check current dates, locations, and accepted materials before making a trip.
Check FireFree Collection Dates and Locations
Prepare Together Through Firewise USA®
Wildfire preparedness extends beyond a single property. Firewise USA® helps neighbors organize and work together to reduce wildfire risks throughout their community.
Project Wildfire provides local information and assistance for Deschutes County neighborhoods interested in becoming recognized Firewise USA® sites. Recognition is a community effort, separate from an individual property’s defensible space assessment.
More Local Wildfire Resources
Project Wildfire supports wildfire preparedness and risk reduction in Deschutes County. Explore its resources for additional information on community planning, evacuation preparedness, and working with neighbors.
Taking steps to prepare your property can reduce wildfire risk, but it does not eliminate it. Include evacuation planning in your household’s preparations and follow instructions from local emergency officials during a wildfire.