Natural Disasters

Oregon Wildfire Coastal Hazards

Despite the typically wet climate experienced on the Oregon Coast, coastal communities are susceptible to Oregon wildfires during increasingly prevalent periods of drought and high temperatures. The frequent year-round windstorms and the density of dunes, grass, and shore pines in the Florence area create the conditions for wildfires to flourish. But it is less likely to happen on its own – over 70% of fires reported in Oregon are human-caused[1].

View the Oregon Wildfire Risk Explorer Map here.

View the Lane County’s 2020 Community Wildfire Protection Plan here.

View ODF’s Map of Current Public Fire Restrictions here.

Wildfire Prevention and Preparedness

Wildfire Alerts and Evacuation

Wildfire Smoke

Drought on the Oregon Coast

Excessive Heat Notifications

Fire Contacts

Wildfire Prevention and Preparedness

Wildland urban interfaces (WUIs) are areas where homes and other buildings are built near forests[2]. Populations that live and frequent these areas face a heightened risk of wildfire. Since Florence, Mapleton, and Dunes City all classify as WUIs, it is essential that we properly prepare and do our part to prevent the start and spread of wildfires.

The Oregon Defensible Space program was created by the Oregon State Fire Marshall (OSFM) to encourage personal prevention practices against wildfires. The OSFM defines defensible space as “the area created between your home or business and the grass, trees, shrubs, or wildland area surrounding it”.

We encourage everyone to create and maintain defensible spaces around your homes and businesses in order to mitigate the spread of wildfire in WUIs. Though having a defensible space does not guarantee your property’s safety in the event of a wildfire. Creating and maintaining a defensible space is a crucial aspect of your personal preparedness and helps keep you, your family, and your property better protected against wildfires[3].

For more information about the Oregon Defensible Space program and to schedule a FREE defensible space assessment for your home, visit Oregon Defensible Space.org and/or www.wlfea/org/defensible-space/.

Download Oregon’s Defensible Space Assessment Tool and Checklist here.

To learn more about wildfire prevention and preparedness in wildland urban interfaces, visit the OSFM’s WUI page.

Having a defensible space is only one aspect of wildfire preparedness. You should also have a household Wildfire Action Plan. A wildfire action plan should include:

  • Evacuation Plans
    • with multiple evacuation routes from your home to one or two designated emergency meeting location(s). Having multiple evacuation routes and designated meeting locations enables flexibility if certain routes or locations are no longer safe or viable. But do not create too many routes/meeting locations or you may compromise your ability to swiftly reunite.
    • Include escape routes from within the home.
    • Make sure evacuation plans address your property and household’s specific needs, accounting for pets, livestock, disabilities or potential challenges, structural failings, etc.
  • A Family Communication Plan
    • that designates someone residing outside of the area as the point of contact for communication among family members.
    • This person will facilitate communication amongst your household if you get separated and act as the central contact for worried relatives. Therefore, it is important that your far-away relatives are also familiar with your communication plan.
  • Biannual checks of fire extinguisher expiration dates.
  • Monthly smoke alarms tests and annual battery change date.
  • Location of property’s gas, electric, and water main shut-off and instructions on safely shutting them down.

Figure 1 – Creating Defensible Space, Oregon State Fire Marshal

Figure 2 – Defensible Space Program, Oregon State Fire Marshal

Additional Wildfire Prevention Tips

and Resources

For Your Property:

For Recreation:

For Work:

In addition to your wildfire action plan, you should make sure you have a functioning smoke alarm and that your address sign is legible from the road. The Western Lane Fire and EMS Authority (WLFEA) offers free smoke alarm battery replacement and smoke alarm installation for vulnerable populations (low income, mobility impaired, or older adults). WLFEA also provides free address signs to residences without them. If you are part of a vulnerable population and in need of a new smoke alarm/battery replacement and/or if your residence does not have an address sign, you can make a request through WLFEA’s non-emergency line at (541)997-3212 or email them at info@wlfea.org.

Burning

oregon wildfires caused by debris burning

Figure 3 – Bigfood Yard Debris Burning Flyer, OSFM

Check with the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Western Lane District or WLFEA before burning debris. Reminder that burning is prohibited within Florence City Limits year round! Burn permits are required on all ODF-protected lands during fire season (May – October).

Stay informed on local burn bans and weather conditions. You can view current local burn bans and outdoor burning season dates on the Lane Regional Air Protection Agency(LRAPA) website. You can also call LRAPA’s Burn Advisory Line at (541) 997-1757.

WLFEA’s Burning Requirements:

  • Attend the fire at all times.
  • Follow the daily start and stop burn times given on the Outdoor Burn Advisory recording.
  • Burn only dry, loosely stacked debris, free of dirt, rocks and other non-combustible materials.
  • Have water and tools available for controlling or extinguishing the fire.

Learn more at wlfea.org/public-education.

Apply for a local burn permit on the WLFEA website https://www.wlfea.org/burn-permit/.

Call LRAPA to apply for an industrial, commercial, demolition, or bond fire permit at (541)736-1056

Do you know what activities are restricted or prohibited based on the current fire danger? Click here to view the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Western Lane District Public Use Restrictions during Fire Season.

Learn more about Oregon Fire Season on the Western Fire Chiefs Association website.

Click here to view Oregon Department of Forestry’s Forestland Burning Guide for landowners.

Wildfire Alerts and Evacuation

The Oregon Department of Emergency Management utilizes 2 wildfire weather alerts:

1) Fire Weather Watch – dangerous fire-causing weather conditions are possible over the next 12 to 72 hours.

2) Red Flag Warning – severe fire weather conditions are occurring or imminent.

Wildfire weather alerts are issued in addition to statewide evacuation alerts. There are 3 evacuation levels used by alert systems across Oregon. It is important to familiarize yourself with the evacuation levels and their subsequent actions. These evacuation levels can be implemented for a range of disasters and are not wildfire specific. Click here to learn more about evacuation alerts and levels.

Click the button below to view the Oregon Department of Emergency Management’s interactive map of active fires and evacuation levels statewide.

 
Oregon Wildfire Evacuations Map

Figure 4 – Are You Ready To Evacuate, Lane County

evacuating oregon wildfires

Figure 5 – Evacuating from Wildfires, NOAA

While evacuating, there is a risk of becoming trapped due to the spread of fire, debris, road blocks, etc. What to do if you become trapped during a wildfire evacuation depends on where you are[4]:

  • If you are in your car, park your vehicle in an area clear of vegetation. Immediately call 911 and inform them of your location and situation. Close all vehicle windows and vents to prevent smoke from coming in. Cover yourself with a wool blanket or jacket to protect yourself from smoke, heat, and embers. Get as low in the car as possible to limit smoke inhalation.
  • If you are on foot, find a low area clear of vegetation, like a ditch or drain. Immediately call 911 and inform them of your location and situation. Lie face down and cover up your body with any items of clothing you may have to protect from smoke, embers, and heat.
  • If you are trapped in your home, call 911 and inform them of your location and situation. Fill sinks and tubs with cold water and shut-off the gas and electricity. Keep doors and windows closed to prevent smoke from coming in, but do not lock them. Stay inside your house unless instructed to do otherwise or it is no longer safe to do so. Stay away from outside walls and windows as they may become hot or start to burn.
    Lane County Wildfire Evacuations

    Wildfire Smoke

    Even if you are safe from the path of a wildfire, you may not be safe from the smoke; wildfire smoke can travel hundreds or even thousands of miles! Smokey conditions pose a serious health risk to the eyes and respiratory system of both humans and animals, and are particularly concerning for those with chronic heart or lung conditions, older adults, pregnant people, and children. If you are being affected by smokey conditions…

    • Stay inside as much as possible. Keep your indoor air clean by keeping windows and doors closed. If it is too hot to safely stay inside with all the windows and doors closed, seek shelter elsewhere. If you are using an air conditioner, close the fresh air intake and clean the filter often to prevent smoke from seeping into your home.
    • When driving, keep all windows closed and vents recirculating.
    • Do not use anything that burns (candles, gas stoves, cigarettes, etc.) and do not vacuum, as all of that will add to the air pollution in your home.
    • Stay hydrated! Drink lots of water.
    • Wear an N95 respirator or other NIOSH-approved respirators.
    • Install a portable air filter.
      • OEM recommends either a high efficiency particulate air filter (HEPA Filter) or an electrostatic precipitator (ESP).
      • View the Oregon Public Health “DIY Air Filter” fact sheet to learn how to make your own air filter.

      Figure 6 – Protect Yourself From Wildfire Smoke, Western Fire Chiefs Association

      Remember, if the smoke is affecting you, it is also affecting your animals. The same actions you are taking to protect yourself can be adapted to protect pets and livestock.

      Oregon Air Quality Monitoring - Interactive Map

      Figure 7 – Air Quality Index Levels of Health Concern, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality

      To report an air quality complaint to the Lane Regional Air Protection Agency , visit their website or call their Air Complaint line at (541) 726 – 1930.

      For more information about wildfire smoke and safety, visit centraloregonfire.org and OHAs prepare for wildfire page.

      Drought on the Oregon Coast

      Over the past two decades, Oregon’s average precipitation levels and soil conditions have been the driest they have been in modern times[5]; despite the Coast’s wet winters and a few one-off years of high precipitation, we are no exception to that. These drought conditions have contributed to Oregon’s increased risk of and frequency of wildfires. Droughts also greatly impact water supply, compromising agricultural yields and ecosystem health.

      Historical Oregon Drought Conditions
      Current Oregon Drought Maps

      We are lucky on the Oregon Coast to have consistent humidity and more rain than the rest of the state, but we are still susceptible to the dangers of droughts. It is important to stay aware of current drought conditions and precipitation levels so you can take the necessary precautions to avoid water waste or wildfire. To learn more about what you can do to support your community during droughts, visit the Oregon Water Resources Department’s page on saving water.

      Click here to sign up for the NOAA’s Drought Alert Email and get notified when local drought conditions change here.

      How do wildfires effect water rights, private drinking wells, and surface water systems? Learn more at the OWRD Wildfire Recovery page.

      Excessive Heat Notifications

      Figure 8 – National Weather Service Head Index Chart and Legend

      Heat waves are a progressively more common public safety hazard, defined as at least 2 days above 100 degrees or that feel like 105+ degrees. The National Weather Service in partnership with the Oregon Health Authority issue 4 excessive heat notifications, based on the amount of time until the excessive weather event is predicted to occur.

       

      Excessive Heat Notifications:

      1. Excessive Heat Outlook – Issued when a heat wave is possible within the next week. This alert is primarily for emergency managers, first responders, and public utilities to begin planning for a heat wave.
      2. Excessive Heat Watch – Issued when a heat wave is likely to start in the next 12 – 48 hours. This alert is intended to warn the public of a possible heat wave and give them time to prepare for excessive heat conditions.
      3. Excessive Heat Advisory – Issued when a heat wave is imminent. This alert is a public safety announcement that the excessive heat conditions are going to occur and may be dangerous to your health if you do not take the proper precautions, like limiting time outside and drinking lots of water.
      4. Excessive Heat Warning – The most severe heat alert, issued when temperatures are expected to hit 105+ degrees within the next 12 hours. If you receive an excessive heat warning, please limit your time outside and drink plenty of water.

        Fire Contacts

         

        If this is an emergency, call 911.

        Western Lane Fire and EMS Authority Non-Emergencies: (541)997-3212

        For WLFEA’s radio frequency, program your scanner to 155.265.

        Lane Regional Air Protection Agency: (541)736-1056

        LRPA’s Outdoor Burn Advisory: (541)997 – 1757

        LRAPA Air Quality Complaints (541) 726 -1930

        Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) Florence Unit: (541)997-8713

        ODF Western Lane District Office: (541)935-2283

        Oregon State Fire Marshall: (503)378-3473