Fire agencies across Oregon and Washington are urging homeowners in fire-prone areas to act now — not when smoke is on the horizon and flames are in the hills. With the 2026 fire season already running well above the 10-year average nationally and dangerous conditions forecast to persist through the summer and fall, the window to prepare is now.

The "First Five Feet" Campaign

The Oregon State Fire Marshal launched a statewide educational campaign in May 2026 focused on the first five feet immediately surrounding a home — the zone that research shows is the most critical for determining whether a structure survives a wildfire.

Studies by the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) have demonstrated that fine fuels directly adjacent to a home's foundation — mulch, wood chips, dead leaves, dry grass — are the primary pathway that allows embers, which can travel miles ahead of a fire front, to ignite a structure. The Oregon State Fire Marshal's partnership with IBHS is designed to help homeowners achieve the "Wildfire Prepared Home" designation, which not only improves survival odds but can help stabilize homeowner insurance availability and rates in high-risk areas.

Defensible Space Zones

Oregon and Washington both recommend a three-zone approach to defensible space:

  • Zone 1 (0-30 feet): The highest-priority zone. Remove all dead vegetation, maintain low moisture in live plants, eliminate wood piles and combustible materials near the home, and use non-combustible mulch within five feet of foundations.
  • Zone 2 (30-100 feet): Reduce fuel continuity. Space trees and shrubs to prevent "ladder fuels" that allow ground fire to climb into the canopy. Mow grasses to below 4 inches during fire season.
  • Zone 3 (beyond 100 feet): Thin dense vegetation and remove dead wood. This zone focuses on reducing overall fire intensity before it reaches structures.

Home Hardening Steps

In addition to defensible space, fire agencies recommend homeowners in the wildland-urban interface take structural hardening steps:

  • Install ember-resistant vents or cover existing vents with 1/16-inch metal mesh screening
  • Clean gutters and remove debris from rooflines where embers accumulate
  • Replace wood or combustible siding and decking where possible, especially within the first five feet
  • Ensure exterior doors and windows are well-sealed to prevent ember intrusion

Have an Evacuation Plan

Oregon Rep. Rob Bynum and Central Oregon local leaders held a joint press conference in May urging residents to prepare evacuation plans now. Key recommendations include identifying multiple exit routes from your neighborhood, knowing the difference between evacuation levels (Level 1: Be Ready; Level 2: Be Set; Level 3: Go Now), keeping a go-bag with 72 hours of supplies, and registering for your county's emergency alert system.

With the season forecast to remain dangerous through September, fire agencies emphasize that a few hours of preparation today could be the difference between losing a home and keeping it — or more importantly, getting a family out safely when the time comes.