FireWise at Timberline Rim

As the residents of the Mt. Hood Villages prepare for the warm summer days ahead, community members and neighborhoods remain vigilant in fire prevention and safety as the memories of wildfires past continue to haunt. With communities committing to “firesafe,” members of the Timberline Rim neighborhoods are proactively gearing up for fire season with the help of several local, state and federal government agencies.
A program designed to help communities achieve a high level of wildfire protection, becoming FireWise translates to saving lives, homes and businesses in areas where wildfire danger is prevalent. Timberline Rim resident Melinda McCrossen is one of many residents in Timberline Rim who are actively working on achieving a “FireWise” status in her neighborhood. A retired Portland public school teacher, McCrossen is well-acquainted with emergency preparedness and the steps it takes to educate others in the process. “We did all sorts of drills while I worked for Portland public schools,” McCrossen said. “In my old Sellwood neighborhood in Portland we had a community preparedness program where we would draw maps and give each other permission to shut off gas in the event of a disaster,” McCrossen added.
The journey to become FireWise begins with several evaluations and walkthroughs with different fire agencies from local, state and federal agencies. The wildfire partnership involves not only different neighborhoods throughout the Mt. Hood Villages, but interested parties such as Timberline Lodge, Portland General Electric and the Oregon state fire marshal. In becoming a FireWise neighborhood, residents of Timberline Rim are awarded the educational tools readily available in case of emergencies, but can also receive grant money to help community members clean up potentially dangerous and flammable debris in and around their homes and property. “The Timberline Rim homeowners’ association has graciously allowed me to represent our community when it comes to applying to be a FireWise community,” McCrossen said. “I’ve been involved since day one and this group really focuses on local issues and they appreciate what we think and what we say about our community,” McCrossen added.
A FireWise-designated community can include neighborhoods ranging from three to 300 homes with the biggest advantage of this designation being accessible grant money. With the understanding that residents range in age and ability with regard to removing potentially dangerous fire-triggering materials, McCrossen is hopeful that this initiative could provide relief to those in need of services. “We now have a FireWise newsletter which we put out on our bulletin board,” McCrossen said. “We’re trying to let community members know that AntFarm will come grab yard debris and scraps,” McCrossen added.
As Timberline Rim awaits the firewise approval, it is clear that residents throughout all the Mt. Hood Villages remain vigilant and prepared as wildfire season approaches. Clearing yard debris, educating neighbors (including short term rental owners) and paying attention to weather patterns are all ways residents will be able to enjoy the beauty of living in the Mt. Hood National Forest for years to come.