Things have been pretty quiet ’round this site lately. Chalk it up to a couple of the Hack Bend contributors (namely, myself and Jon) keeping busy getting lots of fun events planned for Central Oregon Beer Week, May 20-27. In the meantime… Fire Season is Right Around the Corner. I just got this timely reminder from our friends at Project Wildfire who want to help us keep our homes safe during what is sure to be a dry, hot summer.

With fires blazing in southern California and New Mexico and the potential for loss of hundreds of homes, Project Wildfire takes this opportunity to remind residents in central Oregon that YOU are our greatest resource when it comes to protecting homes and neighborhoods. “There are many similarities between central Oregon and the areas affected in California and New Mexico including an abundance of grasses and strong springtime winds that can quickly turn into a similar disaster here, particularly in combination with debris burning,” warns Ed Keith, Deschutes County Forester.

The greatest risk of homes catching fire during a wildland fire event is from the advancing embers or “fire brands” that reach your property long before an actual flame front. “High winds can whip embers beyond the flame front and land in gutters, on decks, in vents, and in flammable vegetation, soon igniting and burning down the homes,” says Katie Lighthall, Program Director Project Wildfire. “There simply are not enough fire personnel or resources to post a truck at each home, so it’s up to individual homeowners to take responsibility for the defensible space around their homes,” she adds.

With this in mind, Project Wildfire reminds you to take a look around your property in the “home ignition zone” where glowing embers can ignite spot fires and vulnerable areas like decks, patios and fences that can spread flames to your home. And take advantage of upcoming FireFree Recycling Events to dispose of the debris for FREE.

FireFree Recycling Events Start THIS Weekend:

Friday, May 3 THROUGH May 11 at Knott Landfill in Bend (closed Sunday).

Fridays & Saturdays, May 3 & 4 and May 10 & 11 at the Westside Collection Site in Bend, on Simpson Avenue between Century Drive and Mt. Washington.

Friday & Saturday, May 17 & 18 at Deschutes County Transfer Sites:

• Negus Transfer Station in Redmond
• Northwest Transfer Station in Cloverdale
• Southwest Transfer Station in La Pine

Friday & Saturday May 3 & 4 at the Sunriver Compost Site in Sunriver.

Saturday & Sunday May 4 & 5 and 11 & 12 at Box Canyon Transfer Site in Madras.

Visit www.firefree.org or www.firewise.org for more information about how you can prepare your property for wildfire season. Or call the Project Wildfire office at 541-322-7129.