Senate Bill 360

Wildfire…

...Are You Prepared ?

Practice Wildfire Safety

People start most wildfires…find out how you can promote and practice wildfire safety.

Contact your local fire agency for information on fire laws. Make sure that emergency vehicles can get to your home. Clearly mark all driveway entrances and display your name and address.

Report hazardous conditions that could cause a wildfire.

Teach children about fire safety. Keep matches out of their reach.

Post fire emergency telephone numbers.

Plan several escape routes away from your home - by car and by foot.

Talk to your neighbors about wildfire safety. Plan on how the neighborhood could work together after a wildfire. Consider how you could help neighbors who have special needs suck as elderly or disabled persons. Make plans to take care of children who may be on their own if parents can't get home.

Senate Bill 360

The fire protection needs of the Wild-land Urban Interface must be satisfied if we are to meet the basic policy of the protection of human life, natural resources and personal property. This protection must be provided in an efficient and effective manner, and in a cooperative partnership approach between property owners, local citizens, government leaders and fire protection agencies.

Senate Bill 360 establishes the policy and framework for meeting this need in Oregon today and in the future. The Bill provides four important steps to lead us to a more effective Interface protection system, including:

Establishment of legislative policy regarding Interface fire protection;
Defining the Interface in Oregon and establishing a process and system for

classification of the Interface;

Establishment of standards for Interface property owners in order to manage or minimize fire hazards and risks; and

Providing the means for establishing adequate, integrated fire protection

systems in Interface areas, including

education and prevention efforts.

We know that structures and people represent fire hazards and risks which when added to Oregon's forestland fire environment mean greater threat to human life and significant or catastrophic damage to property and resources. In Oregon today, it is not a question of 'if another Interface fire will occur', but

rather a question of when and where it will occur, and how devastating it will be. Homeowners, forest property owners, local and state decision makers and fire

service professionals all have a stake in how that question is answered, and all have a role to play in developing the successful answers together. Senate Bill 360 provides the opportunity to work together to be successful with fire issues in the Interface.

Residential Assessment Checklist

Fuel Break

Non-flammable ground cover?

Dead vegetation removed?

Shrubs green, healthy, spaced?

Ladder vegetation removed?

Debris disposal - chip - burn?

Area wide fuel break?

Driveway

Adequate fuel break?

Adequate water crossings?

Turn-around area at house?

Alternate escape route?

Accessible to fire equipment?

Turnouts for two-way travel?

Addressing

Posted / Visible / Readable?

Posted at all intersections?

Building Characteristics

Fire-resistant roofing?

Vents & openings screened?

Roof, Gutters free of debris?

Decks enclosed or screened?

Utilities

Vegetation at power lines cleared?

Vegetation around LPG tank screened?
Other Considerations

Firewood, Lumber moved away?

Most Important: Maintain the fuel breaks and continue reducing fire hazards.

Be aware that wildfires often begin unnoticed. They spread quickly, igniting brush, trees, and homes. Reduce your risk by preparing now - Before wildfire strikes. Meet with your family to decide what to do and where to go if wildfires threaten your area.