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Wildfire, continued from page 1 According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, more than 1.6 million Oregonians are currently living in drought-affected areas. April 2025 was recorded as one of the driest months in Oregon’s history, with precipitation levels more than an inch below normal. The winter snowpack which was lighter than usual, began melting in March, nearly six weeks earlier than average. The cumulative effect of a warm, dry winter and spring has left soil moisture depleted, reservoirs low, and vegetation dangerously dry. Drought conditions dry out grasses, shrubs, and trees, turning them into easy target tinder for wild- fires. The National Weather Service warns that the Pacific Northwest’s dry summers, combined with reduced snowpack and early snowmelt, create a perfect storm for fire activity. In 2024, Oregon experienced 17 major fires, burning more than 1.9 million acres creating a record-breaking year. With a drier-than-normal winter, Oregon’s outlook for the 2025 season is not promising. With reservoirs at historic lows, water conservation is more impor- tant than ever. The Oregon Water Resources Department has recom- mend the following: Indoor Water Conservation Tips • Fix leaks promptly. • Shorten showers or switch to shallow baths. • Turn off the tap when brushing teeth or washing dishes. • Run dishwashers and washing machines only when full. • Reuse water where possible. Outdoor Water Conservation Tips • Water early in the morning or late in the evening. • Mulch your garden to retain soil moisture. • Raise your mower blade. • Limit gardening to food and medicinal plants. • Replace lawns with drought- tolerant, native plants. Property prevention can go a long way and is easier than you may predict. Some basic tips that are recommended by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) are to create a defensible space around your home. This includes clearing brush a minimum of 30 feet from your home. If you have a slopes or hillsides, a min- imum of 100 feet is recommended, as well as removing debris from gutters and roofs. Fire-resistant landscaping such as rocks, high moisture shrubs and plants are a huge help. Emergency management teams recommend best practices using the 2 Weeks Ready guidelines. This advises every household to prepare an emer- gency kit with at least 2 weeks’ worth of supplies, like: water, non-perish- able food, medications, important documents, flashlights, and batter- ies. Families should also develop an evacuation plan that includes multiple routes and a designated meeting place. This plan should also include a plan for your domestic pets. Families should also develop an evacuation plan with multiple routes and a designated meeting place. Don’t forget to include pets in your plan. In Oregon, the three-tiered evacu- ation system includes: Level 1 - Be Ready: Stay informed and prepare to evacuate. Level 2 - Be Set: Pack essen- tials and be ready to leave at a moment’s notice. Level 3 - Go Now: Evacuate imme- diately. Danger is imminent. These levels are issued by local emergency management and law enforcement agencies. Residents should sign up for emergency alerts through their county’s notification system. If you’re not an Oregon resi- dent, it is strongly suggested that you research your state and county emer- gency alert and evacuation protocols. You may be asking “what you to do during a wildfire?” First, keep calm. Then, follow evacuation orders without delay. Most state agencies have a cellular alert that will notify you in the event of an emergency and will keep you updated based on your location. This is a service provided, similar to an amber alert. You should wear protective clothing for ready for anything, like a short sleeve shirt, with a long shirt over that, pants, and sturdy shoes. At the level one notice, fuel up your vehicle and think about what sort of items you want to pack. This can include medicine, pets and pet food. You should pack lightly, taking only essentials. You should also take this time, to fully charge your devices. Please remember, to be mindful of your battery life. You don’t know when the next opportunity will be to charge up, so conserve your battery reading only your official emergency alerts. Agriculture health and air qual- ity concerns during a drought affects more than just fire risk. Farmers face reduced irrigation supplies, leading to lower crop yields, and forced reduced quality of care toward livestock as well as economic strain. Wildlife too, suffers as streams dry up and food sources dwindle. The Oregon Depart- ment of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) is monitoring fish populations and may implement fishing restrictions to protect vulnerable species. If you have ever lived through a wildfire, or within proximity to one you understand the reduced quality of air all too well. When the smoke of the fire fills the air even the slightest, this can increase respiratory issues such as asthma and the cardiovascu- lar system. This increases coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and the added stress mixed with poor air quality can also increase the risk of a stroke or heart attack. The closer the wildfire is the higher the likelihood it harms both plant life, wildlife, and livestock. Remember, you stay indoors while they cannot be. When the air quality risk is high it is recommended that you check door and window ventilation to reduce how much smoke enters your home. A helpful tip is to cover door and window seams with damp towels or blankets – blocking smoke from entering your home. If possible, you should also have an air purifier handy, to help “scrub” the air in your home. If you only have a small one, it may be more manageable to keep it in one room, such as a bedroom. This helps increase the amount of filtered air without overworking your machine. Experts agree that climate change is intensifying drought and wildfire cycles. Warmer temperatures lead to earlier snowmelt, longer fire sea- sons, and more extreme weather events. While mitigation efforts are underway, community preparedness is essential. As Oregon braces for another challenging summer, officials stress that preparation is key. “We can’t control the weather, but we can con- trol how we respond,” said Kassie Keller of the Oregon State Fire Mar- shal’s Office. “Every step you take to prepare your home and family makes a difference.” Helpful resources on fire safety: • drought.gov - Drought conditions • weather.gov - Fire weather alerts • redcross.org - Emergency pre- paredness • 2wr.org - 2 Weeks Ready • nfpa.org - Home and fire-wise information program July 2025 • Siletz News • 13
