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About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (May 1, 2015)
May is Wildfire Awareness Month Firewise Landscaping Checklist All fire agencies (local, state and federal) are encouraged to remind residents that spring is the ideal time to remove dead flammable vegetation and limb up trees around their property. Each week in May, Keep Oregon Green and the Oregon Department of Forestry will highlight a new wildfire prevention topic and communicate pre- vention messages statewide. Topics will focus on spring cleaning and defensible space, backyard debris burning, recreation/campfire safety, and the true cost and consequences of a human-caused wildfire. When designing and installing a firewise landscape, consider the following: Local area fire history. Site location and overall terrain. Prevailing winds and seasonal weather. Property contours and boundaries. Native vegetation. Plant characteristics and placement (duffage, water and salt retention ability, aromatic oils, fuel load per area, and size). Irrigation requirements. Landscaping Oregon’s record-low snowpack and dry spring have fire officials concerned about drought and the potential for the driest summer fire conditions in 25 years. May is Oregon Wildfire Awareness Month and fire educators will be spread- ing the word on ways to help prevent human-caused fires and how to protect a home in the event a wildfire encroaches. Wildfire Knows No Season is the theme for this year’s annual public aware- ness campaign, highlighting wildfire pre- vention education messages, events and opportunities for involvement statewide. Fire prevention education and pre- season preparation are crucial this year. To create a firewise landscape, remember that the primary goal is fuel reduction. To this end, initiate the zone concept. Zone 1 is closest to the structure; Zones 2-4 move progressively further away. Zone 1. This well-irrigated area encircles the structure for at least 30' on all sides, providing space for fire suppression equipment in the event of an emergency. Plantings should be limited to carefully spaced low flammability species. Zone 2. Low flammability plant materials should be used here. Plants should be low-growing, and the irrigation system should extend into this section. Zone 3. Place low-growing plants and well-spaced trees in this area, remembering to keep the volume of vegetation (fuel) low. Zone 4. This furthest zone from the structure is a natural area. Selectively prune and thin all plants and remove highly flammable vegetation. Also remember to: Be sure to leave a minimum of 30' around the house to accommodate fire equipment, if necessary. Widely space and carefully situate the trees you plant. Take out the “ladder fuels” — vegetation that serves as a link between grass and tree tops. This arrangement can carry fire to a structure or from a structure to vegetation. Give yourself added protection with “fuel breaks” like driveways, gravel walkways, and lawns. When maintaining a landscape: Keep trees and shrubs properly pruned. Prune all trees so the lowest limbs are 6' to 10' from the ground. Remove leaf clutter and dead and overhanging branches. Mow the lawn regularly. Dispose of cuttings and debris promptly, according to local regulations. Store firewood away from the house. Be sure the irrigation system is well maintained. Use care when refueling garden equipment and maintain it regularly. Store and use flammable liquids properly. Dispose of smoking materials carefully. Become familiar with local regulations regarding vegetation clearances, disposal of debris, and fire safety requirements for equipment. Follow manufacturers’ instructions when using fertilizers and pesticides. Access additional information on the Firewise home page: www.firewise.org Please see the other side of this sheet for the Firewise Construction Checklist. WILDFIRE KNOWS NO SEASON Property in RV park available near Agness Shirley Chamberlain has decided to open up her licensed RV park at Oak Flats in the Agness area in Southern Oregon. This is exclusively a park model park, with preference given to lessees age 50 and older. She is offering new Lil Lodge log-and-cedar homes that come with long-term leases. Five spacious lots with natural areas in between are available now, garden areas included, with the possibility of five more sites added later. This wilderness-edge park is just feet from the U.S. Forest Service boundary of the Rogue National For- est. Views are across the little prairie to Buzzard Roost Ridge. She would like to make this oppor- 12 • Siletz News • Courtesy photo Lodge Park Models tunity known to the Siletz Tribal mem- bership prior to opening it to the general public on June 3, 2015. The property can be viewed at 4570 Old House Creek Road at Oak Flats, Agness, Ore. Please call for more information or questions – Shirley Chamberlain, 541-247-0962. May 2015 STOP FIRES BEFORE THEY START Spring is the perfect time for you and your neighbors to work together to reduce your wildfire risk. PLAN now for the approaching wildfire season. PREPARE your home and landscape with wildfire safety in mind. PREVENT your open fires and equipment from sparking the next wildfire. k eep O regon Green.org
