Wildfire Awareness Campaign

We are partnering with state and local agencies in a campaign to encourage, empower and inform people like you on on how we can help prevent and prepare for wildfire.

Last summer, some individuals in our community experienced wildfires while others struggled with harmful air quality levels and extreme heat.

This year, we can work together to reduce the risk of wildfires and take steps to keep ourselves and loved ones healthy and safe.

Defensible Space means creating a buffer between your home or business and the grass, trees, shrubs or any wildland area that surrounds it. Look at the plants, landscape arrangement, and outdoor furniture nearby and make sure they are giving embers or flames fewer options to latch onto and ignite.

The wildfire campaign partners are the Oregon Office of the State Fire Marshal, Oregon Department of Forestry and Clatsop County Fire Defense Board. The Clatsop County Fire Defense Board is made up of all the local fire services and engages with external partners to improve the delivery of emergency services across all hazards.

The OSFM has several resources to help Oregonians create and maintain defensible space. These simple actions could make the difference when a wildfire occurs.

The OSFM is hosting a series of webinars. They are geared towards helping you be prepared for a wildfire.

The Dangers of Burning. “During Wildfire Awareness Month we want to make sure people know that debris burning is the leading reason for human-caused fires,” said Justin Gibbs, Clatsop County emergency management director.

“We urge you to use caution when disposing of yard debris this spring. We can significantly reduce the risk of creating a large wildfire by waiting to burn or taking extra steps to control a fire,” he said.

How you dispose of your yard debris could prevent a large wildfire.

Consider composting, chipping, or covering your pile until it’s safer to burn. Or haul it to a recycling center.

If you cannot safely burn your yard debris this spring, cover your pile to let it dry out over the summer. Then burn it in the fall when it is safe again.

If you must burn:

Call your local fire agency before you burn, because there may be restrictions or requirements
Check the weather forecast
Clear a 10-foot circle around your pile
Always have a hose connected to a water supply, or have a water source available, and keep a shovel nearby
Never use gasoline
Burn yard debris only
Stay with your burn. Never leave it unattended
Make sure your fire is dead out and cold to the touch

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has an online map showing fire prevention restrictions.

If you do burn and it gets away from you, it could be costly. If your debris burn spreads out of control, you may have to pay for suppression costs and damages to your neighbors’ properties, which can be extremely expensive.

For more information on debris burning and wildfire prevention, visit KeepOregonGreen.org, or your local fire department or fire district.

Air Quality levels can worsen during wildfires and people can take steps to protect their health.

County public health and emergency management staff actively follow air quality levels to timely communicate with residents and visitors.

We encourage people to visit AirNow.gov or download the app. This online tool lets people know any current health risk and guides them on steps they can take to protect themselves and their loved ones.

AirNow.gov reports air quality using the official U.S. Air Quality Index (AQI), a color-coded index designed to inform you on whether air quality is healthy or unhealthy for you. When you know the AQI in your area, you can take steps to protect your health.

AirNow is a partnership of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Park Service, NASA, Centers for Disease Control, and tribal, state, and local air quality agencies.

Reference Air Quality Guides

These guides provides ways to protect your health when pollution reaches unhealthy levels:

“People come from across the world to enjoy the beauty of the Pacific Northwest and our county. To protect people’s lives and this beautiful space, we encourage people to use an abundance of caution before building a campfire during wildfire season,” said Justin Gibbs, Clatsop County emergency management director.

The Clatsop County Fire Defense Board and local fire services recommend seven campfire safety tips to help you reduce the risk of starting a wildfire:

Know before you go. Check out current conditions
Clear around the campfire site and circle the pit with rocks
Keep your campfire small
Attend your fire at all times
Burn wood only
Always have water and a shovel on site
Before calling it a night or leaving for home, make sure it’s DEAD out

State agencies involved in the Wildfire Awareness Month campaign are the Bureau of Land Management, Oregon State Parks and the Oregon Departments of Agriculture, Forestry and State Lands.

Find out about campfire restrictions at the Oregon State Parks website.

Week five of Clatsop County’s Wildfire Awareness Campaign focuses on evacuation plans.

“We urge everyone to take three simple steps to prepare for wildfire season. It could help reduce the stress that comes with any potential evacuation,” said Justin Gibbs, Clatsop County emergency management director.

Stay Informed

Sign up for ClatsopAlerts! so you will be notified when there is an evacuation. If you previously signed up, log in and confirm their contact information is updated. Also, check phone settings to make sure wireless emergency alerts are turned on.

“If there is an evacuation or a potential for evacuation, Clatsop County will notify the public in three ways: via social media, our website and email blasts. Right now, we have information to help people prepare for evacuations,” Gibbs said.

We encourage people to follow Clatsop County, Clatsop County Sheriff’s Office and local fire agencies.

Have a Plan

Being prepared starts with having a plan. That plan includes:

An evacuation checklist that can be used as a guide.
A communication plan with a list of important contacts and a safe place for loved ones to meet if they are separated during an emergency.
Identifying multiple evacuation routes from home, work or school and plan for transportation needs.

“Discuss your plan with loved ones, friends and neighbors and practice it so everyone knows what to do during an emergency,” Sheriff Matt Phillips said.

If you or a loved one have with disabilities, consider your individual circumstances and specific needs when planning for evacuation, such as special equipment, transportation and service animals.

Have an evacuation plan for pets and large animals such as horses and other livestock. Prepare a pet evacuation kit in a tote bag or pet crate. Pack food, water, leashes, bedding, identification, medication and vaccination or medical records. Plan for transportation of large animals and identify sheltering options.

Make a Go-Kit

Put together an emergency kit of essential supplies that you can grab in a hurry. Pack an easy-to-carry backpack or bag for each member of the household with health and safety items such as food, water, medication, flashlights, phone chargers and clothing. Visit Ready.gov or American Red Cross for recommended emergency kit items.

Know What Evacuation Levels Mean

Oregon follows a three-level evacuation notification system. Each one is based around the readiness need and threat level. Get to know “Be Ready, Be Set, Go!” evacuation levels so you can make informed decisions when receiving evacuation notices.

“If you ever feel unsafe, we urge you to act and evacuate as conditions can change rapidly. Make the best decision for your safety,” Sheriff Phillips said.

Level One means “BE READY” to evacuate.
- Be aware of the danger in your area and stay informed.
- Check county, city and emergency services websites and local news for information.
- Pack and prepare to leave.
- Check with loved ones and emergency contacts.
- Reach out to neighbors, share information and ask for help if needed.
- Some people should consider leaving early if they can’t move quickly and need more time to evacuate, including older adults, families with children, people with disabilities, livestock and pet owners, and those with limited access to transportation.
Level Two means “BE SET” to evacuate.
- This level means there’s significant danger in the area and you should be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice.
- Voluntary evacuation at Level Two is recommended, especially if people need extra time or have livestock to move.
- Be prepared to relocate to a shelter or with family or friends outside of the affected area.
- Don’t wait for another evacuation notice if it doesn’t feel safe to stay.
Level Three means “GO.” Leave immediately!
- This level means there’s extreme danger in the area and it’s unsafe to stay.
- Emergency services may not be available to offer further assistance to those who choose to stay.
- Do NOT stop to gather their belongings or make any efforts to protect their homes or shelter. Leave without delay.

Be aware that after an evacuation, you will not be able to return to the area until public safety officials announce it’s safe.

Find more information and resources at Wildfire.Oregon.gov/prepare.

Volunteering: Get Involved Now Before Any Fires Start

During wildfires, individuals and families may be displaced because of evacuations or harmful air quality levels. Local fire service organizations and nonprofit organizations step up and provide trained volunteers to assist.

“Whenever there is a disaster, people want to help. We are thankful for that, however, when we are responding to a disaster situation, we often don’t have time to train new volunteers,” said Justin Gibbs, Clatsop County emergency management director.

“Volunteer and community organizations active in disasters have many different roles from providing support services to individuals and families who have been evacuated to helping fight fires. Right now, our local fire agencies are facing a shortage of trained volunteers throughout the county. If you want to be able to help, now is the time to get involved,” he said.

All 12 Clatsop County fire districts and departments are coming together 2 p.m. Sunday, June 11 for a free showing of Odd Hours, No Pay, Cool Hat at SISU Brewing at the Times Theatre and Public House in Seaside.

The film follows the inspiring journey of volunteer firefighters in communities across the U.S. as they encounter heart-breaking challenges and exhilarating triumphs to fulfill a single mission: serving their community.

To find out about local opportunities to volunteer, contact your fire service or a community organization active in Clatsop County.

Wildfire Awareness Campaign

Defensible Space

Before You Burn

How you dispose of your yard debris could prevent a large wildfire.

Air Quality

Reference Air Quality Guides

Campfire Safety

Evacuation Plans

Stay Informed

Have a Plan

Make a Go-Kit

Know What Evacuation Levels Mean

Level One means “BE READY” to evacuate.

Level Two means “BE SET” to evacuate.

Level Three means “GO.” Leave immediately!

Wildfire Volunteering

Volunteering: Get Involved Now Before Any Fires Start

Clatsop County Emergency Management

Public Health Department

Public Works

Wildfire Awareness Campaign

Defensible Space

Before You Burn

How you dispose of your yard debris could prevent a large wildfire.

Air Quality

Reference Air Quality Guides

Campfire Safety

Evacuation Plans

Stay Informed

Have a Plan

Make a Go-Kit

Know What Evacuation Levels Mean

Level One means “BE READY” to evacuate.

Level Two means “BE SET” to evacuate.

Level Three means “GO.” Leave immediately!

Wildfire Volunteering

Volunteering: Get Involved Now Before Any Fires Start

Supporting Documents