The Own Your Zone: First Five Feet campaign focuses on raising awareness about the simple actions every homeowner can do to create defensible space around their home. Whether you are in the middle of a city or in a more rural neighborhood, there are actions you can take that will harden your home against wildfire - even within the first five feet of your foundation. 

It starts with you and your home. The commitment to Own Your Zone has the potential to not only save your home but your neighbors, and possibly, your entire neighborhood.

What is Defensible Space?

 
Since 2022, numerous fire calls have reminded homeowners and emergency responders alike how quickly flames can devour both individual properties and neighborhoods - especially when defensible space is lacking. Whether you are in the middle of a city or in a more rural area, creating defensible space is important to protect a community from wildfire.

Research shows that there are two primary sources of home ignition during wildfires:

Embers

Embers are airborne pieces of burning wood or vegetation that can be carried more than one mile through the wind, ahead of a fire front. Embers present a hazard because if they land on combustible vegetation or debris such as leave, pine needles or brush on or near a home, it can start a fire. 

Surface Fires

Surface fires burn loose needles and other small combustible vegetation near the ground, mostly by flaming combustion. These fires can start small and grow in intensity and speed depending on the amount of surface fuel and moisture content available to them. They will travel, and can sometimes threaten homes and neighborhoods. 

Protect Your Home by Zone

Houses that don't ignite, don't burn down. Consider these zones (immediate, intermediate and extended) in your home-hardening efforts, focusing especially on the first five feet.

	Zone 1: Focus on the Closest Immediate Zone: Zero to Five Feet Clean leaves, pine needles, etc. from roof and gutters Repair loose or missing roof shingles, windows or screens Install 1/8-inch metal mesh screening over attic, crawlspace and eave vents Remove flammables (mulch, leaves, needles, firewood) away from wall exteriors and under decks Use non-combustible ground cover (cement pavers, crushed stone, mineral soil)
	Zone 2: Rake it Before Fire Takes it Intermediate Zone: Five to 30 Feet Mow lawn and rake debris/leaves regularly Landscape with fire-resistant plants Prune low-hanging and wide tree branches from within five feet of house Mark street signs/house numbers clearly for emergency vehicles
	Zone 3: Make Flames Stay Away Extended Zone: 30 to 100 Feet Store firewood at least 30 feet from house Create fuel breaks with hardscape features Keep vegetation moist to prevent floating embers from causing fires Minimize ladder fuels (vertical flammables) to decrease fire intensity

FireFree Yard Debris Recycling

FireFree is an annual spring event held by Deschutes County where you can dump your yard debris for FREE! Yard debris is chipped and processed into different types of ground cover and mulch, all of which can be purchased to help improve your home gardens and landscaping year round.

For more information, like what can or cannot be recycled, go to FireFree at the Deschutes County website.

Here is a list of this year's dates and participating locations for free yard debris recycling:

Bend
Knott Landfill (61050 SE 27th St)
May 3 - 12 (open every day) 7 a.m. to 430 p.m. daily

Redmond
Negus Transfer Station (2400 NE Maple Way)
May 31 - June 8 (Mon-Sat) 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily

Sisters
NW Transfer Station (68200 Fryrear Rd)
May 31 - June 8 (Mon-Sat) 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily

Firewise USA®

The national Firewise USA® recognition program provides a collaborative framework to help neighbors in a geographic area get organized, find direction, and take action to increase the ignition resistance of their homes and community and to reduce wildfire risks at the local level.  Bend has over 40 certified communities! 

Your neighborhood can become a Firewise USA®  community by meeting a set of voluntary criteria on an annual basis such as holding a community clean up or educational event. You can learn more about becoming certified, and see current sites at the Firewise USA® webpage. 

How does Bend Fire & Rescue and the City of Bend support Firewise USA?

Firewise Events 

Bend Fire & Rescue is always happy to support groups looking to become Firewise USA® sites. If you are planning an event and would like to have someone there to help provide education, please call Bend Fire Administration at (541) 322-6300. 

Free Dumpster Permits

The City of Bend recognizes the threat of wildfire and also wants to promote mitigation efforts by supporting groups interested in reducing the risk of wildfire in their neighborhood and community. The City is Offering free permits for Firewise USA® communities in Bend (or those in the process of becoming a Firewise USA® community) to place dumpsters on City rights-of-way for yard debris removal events. Learn more about how to request a free permit.  Note: A minimum of 30 days notice is required.

Wildfire Risk Home Assessments

Bend Fire & Rescue offers property assessments to help homeowners learn how to support wildfire prevention on their property. We are happy to schedule a consult to address your Own Your Zone plan.

Reporting and Complaints

Who should you call when you have concerns about wildfire risk? Wildfire is a real threat here in Central Oregon. The City of Bend Code Enforcement team and Bend Fire & Rescue both address wildfire mitigation in Bend, and Deschutes County addresses mitigation outside city limits: 

Bend Fire & Rescue

Bend Fire & Rescue hosts the Fire Marshal and Assistant Fire Marshal, as well as an entire Prevention Division dedicated to helping the community prepare for and prevent wildfire. 

Wildfire Mitigation Topics Covered by Bend Fire & Rescue:

• Fire Marshal, Fire Code Compliance
• Property Assessments, Creating Defensible Space
• Building Firewise Communities
• Debris Burning Regulations

Request a home assessment, community prevention event or communicate a concern related to these issues by calling (541) 322-6300. 

City of Bend Code Enforcement

The City of Bend Code Enforcement team mission includes protecting the safety of the City’s residents and visitors from wildfire. They ensure compliance with the City’s land use, environmental and building codes.

Wildfire Mitigation Complaints Covered by Code Enforcement:

• Excess Flammable Vegetation
• Lack of Defensible Space
• Need for Reduction of Ladder Fuels
• Property Assessments, City Code Compliance
  Note - Code Enforcement has been conducting property assessments for over 12 years, both proactively for those wanting to verify compliance with City Code, and retroactively following complaints. Reach out if you want an assessment!

Submit a code complaint that you would like to be investigated related to these issues at the Code Enforcement webpage.

Deschutes County Code Enforcement

Deschutes County Code Enforcement does not have a specific code pertaining to flammable vegetation like the city does. Visit the County Code Enforcement webpage for code complaints and compliance. 

Resources