Community Comes Together to Reduce Wildfire Risks at Debris Collection Event

In a proactive effort to mitigate wildfire risks, the Mt. Hood Corridor Wildfire Partnership hosted a successful community event at Welches School on June 29th. The initiative attracted 60 unique visitors who collectively contributed 69 loads of plant material, amounting to an impressive 168 yards of debris, according to event organizer Brentwood Reid.
The event aimed to remove flammable plant material from local properties, a crucial step in creating defensible space around homes. The collected debris was burned the following day in a curtain burner, provided and operated by Ryan Ramage of Valley Environmental. According to Reid, this specialized device can process up to 6 tons of material per day while emitting very little smoke, minimizing air pollution and reducing the risk of uncontrolled fires compared with a traditional pile burn.
Additionally, burning in a curtain burner can produce biochar, a stable form of carbon that enriches soil and improves water retention, making it a valuable resource for local gardens and landscapes. Biochar helps enhance soil fertility and supports healthier plant growth, contributing to more resilient ecosystems.
The entire event was funded by a grant from the Office of the Oregon Fire Marshall, which supports the wildfire partnership’s initiatives. Recently, the partnership also organized a well-attended workshop on wildfire safety and mitigation techniques. Reid expressed his satisfaction with the turnout at both the workshop and the debris collection event, highlighting the community’s engagement in wildfire prevention.
Bryan Strothmann of Brightwood was happy to hear about the event, and emphasized the financial burden of bringing it to the dump in Sandy. He said that without the free event, the material might have stayed on his property, potentially providing fuel to a future wildfire. “I would have found a place to let it dry, and it would have become fuel. It’s so expensive to get rid of it,” he said.
Justin Steele of Rhododendron learned about the event through the social media platform Nextdoor, where it was publicized by the Hoodland CPO and local residents. He participated by picking up debris for elderly neighbors and dropping off several trailer loads. “This is awesome,” he said. “It’d be nice to have this more often during fire season.”
Hoodland CPO treasurer Pat Erdenberger informed residents about the event and expressed her satisfaction with the turnout. She stressed that events like the debris collection foster a safer and more connected community, especially for neighbors who are not members of a Firewise certified homeowners association.
“We need people to start coming together and doing proactive things,” she said. “I would hope we can develop this further.”
Event organizer Brentwood Reid described the initiative as a “community effort” driven by local HOAs and CPOs, underscoring the collaborative spirit that fueled the successful turnout.
Wildfires have become an increasing concern in the region, particularly as climate change exacerbates dry conditions and extends fire seasons. Experts say that proper vegetation management is a critical component of wildfire mitigation strategies, with local fire authorities encouraging homeowners to regularly assess and manage their landscapes, reducing the potential for fire to spread.
Residents are encouraged to stay engaged in wildfire prevention efforts and to participate in future events organized by the Mt. Hood Corridor Wildfire Partnership. For more information on wildfire mitigation practices, visit https://www.mthoodwildfirepartnership.org/.