Community wildfire protection plan out

The East & West Deschutes County CWPP Steering Committee, which includes members of Alfalfa, Brothers, Deschutes Rural Fire Protection District #2, Oregon Department of Forestry, the US Forest Service & BLM, Deschutes County and Project Wildfire, proudly announce the release of the final draft of the 2012 updated East & West Deschutes County Community Wildfire Protection Plan.

The East & West CWPP will be available on the Project Wildfire website at www.projectwildfire.org and the Deschutes County website at www.deschutes.org.

Community members will have until Friday, June 29th to review the draft plan and make comment.

Originally completed in 2007, this comprehensive update outlines a clear purpose with updated priorities, strategies and action plans for fuels reduction treatments in the wildland urban interface (WUI) areas of Alfalfa and Brothers as well as the recreation areas at Elk Lake, Paulina Lake and other popular recreation sites. The 2012 East & West Deschutes County CWPP also addresses special areas of concern and makes recommendations for reducing structural vulnerability and creating defensible space.

“In our effort to create Fire Adapted Communities, CWPPs are used as a powerful tool in recognizing high risk areas in the unincorporated and unprotected areas of the County, and mapping strategies to reduce the threat of catastrophic losses from wildfire,” says Katie Lighthall, Program Director for Project Wildfire. “It is important that these groups review and update the CWPPs to accurately reflect the tremendous amount of hazardous fuels reduction work that has been completed and is currently underway on public and private lands,” Lighthall adds.

The East & West Deschutes County CWPP identifies priorities and strategies for reducing hazardous wildland fuels on public and private lands while improving forest health, supporting local industry and economy and improving fire protection capabilities. It also identifies strategies to address special areas of concern such as evacuation routes as well as outlines actions that groups and individuals can take to help protect themselves and their neighborhoods against the threat of wildland fires.

The CWPP will also increase the potential for receiving grant funding to reduce hazardous vegetation on private and public lands.

Please direct comments and questions to Katie Lighthall at 541-322-7129.