FireFree yard debris disposal numbers jump

Despite the winter weather that has descended on Central Oregon, residents in the Bend area took advantage of the Half Price Yard Debris Sale and delivered 10,608 cubic yards of flammable yard waste to Deschutes Recycling. This is a 38% increase from the previous year!

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

“Our local fire seasons have been starting earlier and continuing well into October recently, the half-price sale gives residents a unique opportunity to get a head start preparing their yard for the upcoming fire season,” says Alison Green, Program Coordinator 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 27 th through November 8 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.