FireFree sets spring free yard debris recycling events

It may not feel like it outside but fire season is on its way. This spring partners in the central Oregon area, will host FireFree days. Crook, Deschutes, and Jefferson counties will all be hosting FireFree events for local residents to easily prepare for wildfire season. Check the dates below for a FireFree event near you!

Fire science tells us that if you have created and maintained a defensible/survivable space around your home, it has an 80% chance of surviving a wildfire without fire department assistance. Those are great odds and FireFree encourages residents to take that bet and get prepared for the upcoming wildfire season.

Now is the time to clean up your yards and create defensible spaces around homes and recycle that debris at FireFree collection sites FOR FREE in Crook, Deschutes, Klamath, and Jefferson Counties. Please note the change in days at Knott Landfill.

Saturday & Sunday, April 29 & 30 and May 6 & 7 at Box Canyon Transfer Site in Madras.

Saturday May 6 th at Crook County Landfill in Prineville.

Saturday, May 6 THROUGH May 14 at Knott Landfill in Bend.

Fridays & Saturdays, May 5 & 6 and May 12 & 13 at the Westside Collection Site in Bend.

Friday & Saturday, June 2 & 3 at Deschutes County Transfer Sites:

Negus Transfer Station in Redmond

Northwest Transfer Station in Cloverdale (Sisters)

Southwest Transfer Station in La Pine

Friday & Saturday, May 5 & 6 at Sunriver Compost in Sunriver.

FireFree 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.

Where are your most vulnerable places for glowing embers to ignite your home?

· Are your gutters and roof valleys free from debris like pine needles and leaves? Clean them out. Despite a metal or asphalt shingle roof, the buildup of gutter debris provides necessary fuel for the glowing embers to ignite adjacent fascia boards or siding – most often made of wood.

· Do your shrubs and weeds provide a path of fuel for fire to reach your trees or home? Reduce shrubs and other “ladder fuels” around your home to reduce the threat of ground fires igniting nearby trees, or your home.

· What can catch fire on your deck or patio or near your fence? Remove weeds, shrubs or any combustible materials from around, under or on top of your deck, patio or wood fence. This includes toys, planters, construction materials, patio furniture and cushions along with even small piles of pine needles or leaves.

· Is your woodpile near your home or other combustible vegetation? Move woodpiles at least 20 feet away from your home or other combustibles.

Visit the FireFree website at www.firefree.org for more information about how you can prepare your property for wildfire season.