Protect your health and property during wildfire season

Wildfire season has arrived, and the risk in Oregon continues to rise. For too many, these natural and sometimes human-caused disasters pose an annual crisis, threatening homes and properties that are far from the fires, especially in rural communities. Red hot embers can travel many miles and land on a rooftop covered in dry pine needles, for example.

Then there’s the harmful wildfire smoke that can drift from one end of Oregon to the other. The smoke contains gases and fine particles that, when inhaled, can get into the blood stream and cause serious health problems. Children, people ages 65+, pregnant people, and those with heart disease or chronic lung conditions including asthma are at higher risk from wildfire smoke.

But there are some relatively simple things people can do to protect their health, homes and properties in the event of wildfires. One is to create what’s called “defensible space”—the area around a home that reduces or eliminates things that could catch fire.

And while you’re creating a defensible outdoor space, remember to defend your indoor space from unhealthy wildfire smoke.

During Wildfire Awareness Month (May), we want to share some ways to protect your health and property at little to no cost to you.

Defensible space (outdoor)

Anyone in Oregon can request a free defensible space assessment of their property. Through partnerships between the Oregon State Fire Marshall (OSFM) and fire agencies across the state, an expert will visit your home and help you come up with a plan to help defend your property from wildfires.

Some defensible space tips include:

• Remove leaves and tree needles from your roof and gutters.
• Store BBQ propane tanks 30 feet away from your home or in an outbuilding.
• Keep firewood piles and lumber 30 feet away from any buildings.
• Trees should be spaced 10 feet from power lines.
• Keep vegetation 10 feet away from permanent propane tanks.
• For trees taller than 18 feet, remove all bottom branches up to 6 feet high; for trees shorter than 18 feet, remove branches up to 1/3 the height of the tree.
• Trim bushes and plants so no part is touching your home, and keep grass mowed to under four inches.
• Incorporate fire resistant plants in your landscaping.
• Remove tree needles, leaves and mulch from 100 feet around the home or other buildings.
• Chip, compost or recycle yard debris. Don’t burn it.
• Make sure the driveway is accessible to first responders and your address sign is visible from the road.

▶ WATCH this 3-minute video about defensible spaces.

Wildfires affect entire communities. By coordinating with your neighbors and local fire agency to create and maintain a defensible spaces, you’re taking your protection to the next level and ensuring maximum safety for your entire community.

To request a free defensible space assessment of your property, go to this website and enter your address into the search field to find your local expert. If you have questions about OSFM’s Defensible Space Program, send an email or call 503-934-0874.

Clean air space (indoor)

Keeping your indoor air as clean as possible when wildfire smoke is in your area is critical. You can do this for your entire home, or you can focus on a single room, which may be easier.

First and foremost, when smoke occurs stay indoors whenever possible with the doors and windows closed. If it’s too hot to stay indoors with the windows and doors closed, and you do not have an air conditioner or the power goes out, seek shelter elsewhere. For example, you may be able to stay with friends or family who are not affected by the smoke, go to a public cleaner air shelter, or visit public spaces such as grocery stores, community gathering spaces, town halls, shopping centers, movie theaters, places of worship, etc. that may have air conditioning. If you can stay home with the doors and windows shut, we want to share some tips for keeping your indoor air as clean as possible.

For your entire home:

• Use and install a filter rated HEPA, MERV-13 or better on your heating, ventilation and cooling systems, when available. If you can, purchase an extra filter before the smoke season takes off.
• Run an air conditioner if you have one, any time of year. Keep the fresh air intake closed and the filter clean to prevent outdoor smoke from getting inside.
• Test your smoke alarm monthly.
• Add or replace weather stripping to doors and windows if needed.
• Avoid activities that add fine particles to the air, such as smoking, cooking or the use of candles, fireplaces, aerosols.
• Do not vacuum, which stirs up particles already inside your home.

If keeping the air clean throughout your entire home is not possible, focus on a single room. Pick a room big enough for everyone in your household to be comfortable. A bedroom with an attached bathroom is a good choice.

For a single room:

• If possible, use a portable electric air purifier (or air conditioner) appropriate for the room’s size, or you can build your own using a box fan about defensible spaces (▶ WATCH how-to video). Either way, always use a fresh filter.
• Keep doors and windows closed and well-sealed (add/replace weather stripping) to prevent smoke from getting in, but don’t do anything that makes it hard to get out.
• Avoid the activities listed above that create smoke or other airborne particles indoors (smoking, vacuuming, burning candles, etc.)
• Spend as much time as you can in the room to get the most benefit from it. When the air quality improves, even temporarily, air out the room to freshen the air.
  
  Learn more about creating clean air rooms here.

And don’t forget…

Drink plenty of water to help reduce symptoms of wildfire smoke exposure. Symptoms can include watery or dry eyes, persistent cough, phlegm, scratchy throat, irritated sinuses, headaches, shortness of breath, asthma attack, lung irritation, irregular heartbeat, chest pain or fatigue.

The effects of wildfire smoke are similar for pets and livestock, and so are the strategies for protecting them. Reduce their time spent in smoky areas, provide them with plenty of water, keep their activity level low to prevent heavy breathing, and reduce their exposure to dust or other air pollutants. If your pet or livestock is coughing or having difficulty breathing, contact your veterinarian.

Remember to sign up for alerts and warnings from local emergency management agencies to ensure both you and your pets are safe in the event a wildfire.

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