Project Wildfire

With fire season here, Project Wildfire takes this opportunity to remind residents in Central Oregon what they can do to help project their homes, properties and neighborhoods.

Deschutes County Forester and Chair of Project Wildfire Joe Stutler says, "Reducing brush and ladder fuels help reduce the intensity of a fire so firefighters can effectively suppress it and greatly decreases the potential for flames and embers to spread quickly to tress and structures."

Where are Your Most Vulnerable Places for Glowing Embers to Ignite Your Home?

Are your gutters free from debris such as pine needles, leaves and moss?
Clean them out. Despite a metal or asphalt shingle roof, the buildup of gutter debris provides necessary fuel for the glowing embers to ignite adjacent fascia boards or siding - most often made of wood.

Do your shrubs and weeds provide a path of fuel for fire to reach your trees or home?
Reduce shrubs and other "ladder fuels" around your home to reduce the threat of ground fires igniting nearby trees, or your home.

What can catch fire on your deck or patio or near your fence?
Remove weeds, shrubs or any combustible materials from around, under or on top of your deck, patio or wood fence. This includes toys, planters, construction materials, furniture and cushions along with even small piles of pine needles or leaves.

Is your wood pile near your home or other combustible vegetation?
Move wood piles at least 20 feet away from your home or other combustibles.

Do you have a wood roof?
If so, consider maintaining a charged water hose to keep the roof wet so falling embers are extinguished upon landing.

Do you have a long driveway (over 50 feet)? Make sure access to your property is clear for easy access of emergency equipment.

For additional tips, residents can visit www.firefree.org or www.firewise.org. For more information, contact Project Wildfire at 541.322.7129

Household Hazardous Waste

The Hazardous Waste Facility is located at Knott Landfill (61050 SE 27 St.), in Bend. The hazardous waste facility is open the second and fourth Saturday of each month from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

The facility accepts a wide variety of hazardous waste including:
Paints, stains, and solvents
Fuels and thinners
Oil filters and antifreeze
Aerosols
Cleaning products and poisons
Pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers
Rechargeable batteries
Fluorescent light bulbs and tubes
Pool and spa chemicals
Thermometers, mercury thermostats and switches

Please take auto batteries, used motor oil and propane tanks to Deschutes Recycling, located at Knott Landfill. Latex and oil based paints are also accepted at Deschutes Recycling.

For more information regarding household hazardous waste, contact Deschutes County Solid Waste at 541-317-3163.

For more information regarding what items can be recycled at Deschutes Recycling, contact 541-388-1910. Deschutes Recycling is open Monday - Saturday 7:00 am - 4:30pm, (closed Sundays and holidays).