State fire marshal wants Oregonians to do more to protect their homes from wildfires

Climate change is expected to increase both the frequency and intensity of wildfires, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

So now, in addition to more dry eastern Oregon wildfires, Oregonians are likely to experience more wildfires in the wetter western part of the state. “Wildfire is not an ‘if,’ but a ‘when,’ living in Oregon,” said Alison Green, a spokeswoman for the Oregon State Fire Marshal .

That office wants Oregonians to create more defensible space around their homes. That is: More area between the house and potential wildfire, where vegetation has been modified to reduce the threat and help firefighters defend the house. And the fire marshal has set up a number of new programs to help.

Oregon Public Broadcasting is a news partner of the Pamplin Media Group. Find the original story here .