Wildfire Preparedness

Here in the Willamette Valley, the weather has started to turn warmer. With a reduced amount of rainfall, the land  and vegetation is drying out creating the perfect fuel for wildfires. In an effort to promote prevention now, many organizations are coming together to provide resources and helpful information to make sure individual properties stay safe in the heat of the upcoming summer.

As we saw last year, Oregon had a devastating fire season and many homes were lost to wildfires. The City of Carlton has several helpful ordinances in place to help reduce the danger of potentially flammable substances being around your home. 

Chapter 8.12 requires the abatement of nuisances affecting the public health as well as attractive nuisances that can contribute to the cause and spread of fires. This includes things like debris on private property, rubbish, manure, accumulation of yard vegetation, pilings of lumber, bark and mulching, and other things of an inflammable character.

Did you know that Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) regulates what days citizens are able to burn?

Back yard burning is typically allowed from March 1st - June 15th and October 1st - December 15th only. However the Yamhill County Burn Hotline (503-472-3344) is updated every day after 8 AM with any DEQ burning restrictions that might be in place.

Back yard burning is the burning of organic yard debris ONLY. Recreational fires such as warming fires, cooking fires, or camp type fires are typically allowed year-round unless a severe fire warning has been issued or specifically prohibited by the DEQ. The burning of materials like plastic, rubber, or garbage is prohibited even on an approved burn day. For more specific information Chief Terry Lucich with the Carlton Fire District can be reached by email at chief@carltonfiredistrict.org, or by phone at 503-852-6233.

The State of Oregon Department of Forestry  (ODF) regulates fire restrictions for State lands and any lands "protected by the Northwest Oregon Forest Protection District in regulated use areas NW1, NW2 and NW3, and all lands within one-eighth mile."

Effective June 22, 2021, updates were made to the allowable activities in forestland depending on different fire danger levels through Regulated Closure Proclamation Number 01. Updates on fire danger levels throughout Oregon can be found on the ODF website by clicking here.

Some More Helpful links:

• Portland General Electric

​ With fire danger also comes the need to be prepared for situations like power outages. Portland General Electric's website has some very helpful tips on how to prepare your home for potential safety-related power outages.

Prepare your home for power outages | PGE (portlandgeneral.com)

• Prepare Your Home

https://www.nifc.gov/fire-information/fire-prevention-education-mitigation/wildfire-mitigation/home

https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/Fire-causes-and-risks/Wildfire/Preparing-homes-for-wildfire

• Prepare Your Community

https://www.nifc.gov/fire-information/fire-prevention-education-mitigation/wildfire-mitigation/community

https://www.redcross.org/content/dam/redcross/delta/20630101_cascades_region_prepare_guide_final_jan8.pdf

https://www.oregon.gov/osp/Docs/OrStEvacLevelsFinalJune2014.pdf

2020_west_oregon_district_public_use_chart_page_1.png (500×647) (mcminnvilleoregon.gov)

• Reduce Risk

https://wildfirerisk.org/reduce-risk/

Oregon Department of Forestry Public Fire Restrictions

RUNW.pdf (oregon.gov)