College of Forestry

Making your property resistant to wildfire involves three key elements shown in the "Defensible Space Triangle." They include:

• a home constructed or retro-fitted with fire-resistant building materials (e.g., fire-resistant roof);
• having fire-resistant landscaping around your home;
• removing fuel around your home.

When you incorporate all three elements of the Defensible Space Triangle, your home and property are more likely to survive a wildfire. The resources listed below will help you create a defensible home and landscape.
 

Websites and Useful Publications

Firewise Website
This is an excellent source for information on fire-resistant landscaping, home construction, and defensible space.

Fire-Resistant Landscaping and Creating Defensible Space Zones
This publication from the Colorado Extension Service provides step-by-step instructions for developing a fire-resistant landscape.

Fire-Resistant Plants for Home Landscapes (pdf)
Having plants in you home landscape that are resistant to fire can reduce the threat of fire to your home. This color publication by Oregon State University Extension Service provides detailed lists of fire-resistant ground covers, perennials, shrubs and trees.

Fire-Resistant Home Construction (pdf)
This fact sheet developed by Firewise provides a checklist of things to consider when constructing a fire-resistant home. The checklist provides tips for proper home location, siding, roofing, and window choices, and other home construction techniques.

Oregon Department of Forestry
The Oregon Department provides wildfire protection to private property in Oregon. This website provides information on protection from wildfire, fire laws and regulations, and other helpful tips for protecting your home and property from wildfire.

Oregon's Forestland-Urban Interface Protection Act and You

In 1997 the Oregon Legislature passed the Oregon Forestland-Urban Interface Fire Protection Act (also known as Senate Bill 360). This law recognizes that home owners need to become actively involved in protecting their home from wildfire by reducing fuel around their home and driveway. Homeowners who complete fuel reduction work “self certify” they have complied with the law by returning a certification card to the Oregon Department of Forestry. However, if a fire originates and spreads from a property and a certification card has not been returned, the homeowner may be liable for fire suppression costs up to $100,000. You can find out more about this important law and its requirements on the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Fire Prevention page, on the left side of the page scroll down and click on “Wildland-Urban Interface (SB360).”