FireFree disposal days bring in record amount of yard debris

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Deschutes County residents have been busy with defensible space preparation, and their effort shows in the results from this spring's FireFree events. 

Spring free yard debris drop off event dates were extended by the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners to run May 9th-24th. 

Residents took full advantage of the extended dates and roughly doubled last year’s total of 31,233 cubic yards, bringing this year’s total debris collected to 61,670 cubic yards. 

Since FireFree’s inception in 1999, over 559,966 cubic yards has been collected in Central Oregon during the spring free yard debris recycling days. That’s the equivalent of filling 5,599 semi-trucks with yard debris over the past 21 years.  

"We're so pleased with the community's response and participation in this year's Fire Free events," said Deschutes County Commission Chair Patti Adair. "Now more than ever, it's critical that we create and maintain defensible space around our homes."

With extended days in Deschutes County, the steady flow of yard debris brought in over the three weekends and two weeks persisted.

While most of the spring FireFree yard debris events have wrapped up, there is still time for Jefferson County residents to take advantage of the FireFree free yard debris drop off at the Box Canyon Transfer Station on June 13-14 and 20-21.  

FireFree would not be possible without the support of public agencies, private businesses and individuals, thanks to all who participated. More information on creating defensible space is available online at www.firefree.org.