As I’m sure many of you have, or soon will, we received our Certified Letter from the Department of Forestry informing us that our cabin is within the Wildland-Urban Interface and is in a high-risk zone for wildfire. While I knew the letter was forthcoming, it was still somewhat of a welcomed awakening.
I say welcomed awakening, because now other mountain residents are being alerted to the fact that their dwellings are also within the wildfire hazard zone. While this shouldn’t come as any surprise – after all we all live in the forest – I find it hard to believe how many residents think they should appeal the decision. In my opinion it would be counterproductive to appeal the designation.
As a member of the Mt. Hood Corridor Wildfire Partnership, the topic of home hardening and creating defensible space has been discussed in great length at our meetings. If you are unfamiliar with the Partnership, visit the web site at: www.mthoodwildfirepartnership.org.
We who reside in the forests of Mt. Hood must realize that we run the inherent risk of wildfire in our area. Geographically, our area is very similar to that of Paradise, California, a community that, if you recall, was devastated by wildfire. What the actions in the letter call for are efforts to mitigate the effects of a wildfire and lessen the possibility that our area will become another Paradise.
Up here on the mountain, over the past couple of years, in collaboration with the Partnership, there have been several education sessions on defensible space and home hardening. While these sessions have been lauded as excellent by those who attended, unfortunately, attendance at those education sessions has been relatively minimal.
And while the letter may seem somewhat threatening, it is understood that no actions will be initiated by the Department of Forestry for at least the next several years. Instead, the next few years will be used by various groups, including the Partnership, to offer additional education seminars on home hardening and creating defensible space to minimize the effects of wildfire in our area and how to comply with the new regulations.
The Department of Forestry letter emphasizes that it is up to all individual property owners to get educated and take the necessary actions to protect their property. We all must do our part, work together, and be proactive in protecting our homes and neighborhoods from the devastating effects of wildfire. Creating defensible space does not necessarily mean the removal of numerous trees. What it does mean is the removal of ignition sources near your home and removal of “ladder fuels” that could contribute to a major conflagration.
As stated in the letter, there are several agencies offering Wildfire Risk Assessments. They will evaluate your property and make suggestions on how to create a defensible space around your home. The Ant Farm and Hoodland Fire have been especially helpful in assisting with property assessments to determine what actions need to take place for properties to be compliant with the new regulations. Some agencies may even offer to do the work for you.
Also, several local communities have become FIREWISE® or are in the process of seeking FIREWISE® designations. Support those efforts! Because when, not if, a wildfire strikes our area, it will take everyone working together to help our precious mountain community survive.
Steve Graeper, Rhododendron CPO
Letter to the publisher: Steve Graeper
