With 290 Firewise USA sites in good standing, the Oregon Department of Forestry is proud that the state is ranked #2 in the nation for number of Firewise USA sites. In 2023, Oregon added 39 new sites creating more fire-adapted communities.
Along with being #2 as a state last year, Oregon is also home to the #4 and #5 counties with the most sites in the nation: Jackson County with 75 sites and Deschutes County with 73.
Firewise USA is a program that helps guide communities in the process of protecting their homes and neighborhoods from wildfire. The program is run by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and co-sponsored by the National Association of State Foresters and US Forest Service.
The Oregon Department of Forestry is responsible for administering the program in Oregon and is a resource to help communities create a wildfire protection plan, find grants to fund projects and give expert advice.
This work is not done alone. Through the help of ODF's partners -- like the Oregon State Fire Marshal, community coordinators and local fire departments -- they all work together to complete assessments and help the community develop action plans for implementing wildfire risk reduction activities.
Starting the journey to become a Firewise USA site is as easy as picking up the phone and calling your local ODF office. A minimum of eight dwellings are required, meaning that your street, neighborhood or town can be a Firewise USA community.
In Josephine County, call the ODF office at (541)-474-3152. In Jackson County, call (541)-664-3328.
