May 9, 2024 2:50 a.m. 

May is Wildfire Awareness Month, and the Oregon State Fire Marshal is encouraging all Oregonians to get prepared for the upcoming wildfire season.

An OSFM release said creating defensible space is one of the most important things residents can do to protect their home and increase the chances it will survive a wildfire.

The OSFM offers free defensible space assessments to Oregonians who want to start creating defensible space or those who want to optimize their current plan. For a limited time, people living in select areas of the state may be eligible for a $250 payment after receiving an assessment. Request an assessment and see more details at: www.oregondefensiblespace.org.

The release said projects to consider this month include:

*Space and prune trees

*Remove leaves, needles, wood bark mulch and other debris from within 100 feet of buildings or to the property line, and from roofs and gutters

*Move flammable material away from outside the home, including mulch, flammable plants, leaves, and needles

*Prevent plants from growing directly under the eaves, keeping them a minimum of five feet away is recommended

*Keep firewood piles and lumber at least thirty feet from any structure

*Maintain the plants in the yard. Clear out old leaves or pine needles from plants and prune away dead parts

For more resources and information for Wildfire Awareness Month, go to: https://www.oregon.gov/osfm/education/pages/prevent-wildfires.aspx