FireFree reports half-price yard debris results

Despite dropping temperatures over the last couple of weeks, residents in the Bend area took advantage of the Half Price Yard Debris Sale and delivered 6,232.75 cubic yards of flammable yard waste to Deschutes Recycling.

In partnership with the FireFree program, Deschutes Recycling offers the Half Price event to encourage residents to recycle yard waste instead of risking an escaped debris fire by burning it.

“Fire season continued well into October this year, vegetation remained very dry and susceptible to rapid fire spread, as we saw in the fires in South Deschutes County,” says Alison Green, program director for the FireFree program. “The Fall Half Price Sale gives residents a terrific alternative to dispose of their flammable yard waste without burning,” adds Green.

From October 28 th through November 9 th local residents continued with their defensible space projects by cleaning up pine needles, brush and tree limbs from around homes to help prepare their properties for wildfire next season.

FireFree is a year-round effort to educate community members and increase resident participation in preparing for wildfires. Residents are encouraged to visit www.FireFree.org for more information about defensible space, reducing the structural vulnerability of homes and getting prepared for fire season.

For more information about FireFree activities in your area, call your local fire department or Project Wildfire at 541-382-7129.