FireFree free yard debris recycling begins

Friday marks the beginning of Wildfire Awareness Month in Oregon and Saturday marks Wildfire Community Preparedness Day in Deschutes County.

Across the state and in Deschutes County, fire departments and organizations are encouraging residents to learn about living in Fire Adapted Communities and take steps to reduce the threat of wildfire destroying lives and homes.

Central Oregon residents will get a jump on this valuable campaign when they bring their flammable yard debris to area collections sites for FREE beginning Friday

“Residents in Central Oregon are no strangers to wildfire and continue to show an increasing level of awareness by participating in FireFree Recycling events,” says Alison Green, Program Director of Project Wildfire.

“To kick off Wildfire Awareness Month and Wildfire Community Preparedness Day, FireFree encourages residents to create and maintain their defensible space and offers free disposal of that yard debris,” adds Green.

The greatest risk of homes catching fire during a wildland fire event is from the advancing embers or “fire brands” that reach your property long before an actual flame front.

With this in mind, 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:

Friday, May 1 THROUGH May 9 at Knott Landfill in Bend (closed Sunday May 3).

Fridays & Saturdays, May 1 & 2 and May 8 & 9 at the Westside Collection Site in Bend.

19755 SW Simpson Ave.

Friday & Saturday, May 15 & 16 at Deschutes County Transfer Sites:

Negus Transfer Station in Redmond

Fryrear Transfer Station near Sisters

Southwest Transfer Station in La Pine

Friday & Saturday May 8 & 9 at the Sunriver Compost Site in Sunriver.

Saturday & Sunday May 2 & 3 and 9 & 10 at Box Canyon Transfer Site in Madras.

Please remember to cover your loads! Drivers of uncovered loads and loads that lose debris along the roadways are subject to a large fine. Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office will be on patrol during the Free Recycle Days.

For participating residents, please note that sod, manure, lumber or other wood products and land clearing debris are not permitted free of charge during these clean up days. They will be accepted although regular rates for these materials will apply.

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