Welcome to Without Warning: Wildfire

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Get Educated

It’s everyone’s responsibility to help prevent wildfires. You can do many things to keep our forests green and safe, but the first step is being aware. Follow Megahn and Alexx’s adventure on a hiking trip and their close encounter with a dangerous wildfire.

Learn how and where wildfires start, how they impact ecosystems and how to prevent them in this action-packed comic.

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Common Causes of Wildfires

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Campfires

Vehicles & ATVs

Fireworks

Equipment Use

Smoking

18 Acres Destroyed
77 Fires at Fault

  • Clear 10 feet around the campfire.
  • Keep your campfire small.
  • Attend your fire at all times.
  • Burn wood only.
  • Always have water and a shovel on site.
  • Before calling it a night or leaving for home, make sure it’s DEAD out.
  • Drown the campfire with water, stir the coals with a shovel, and drown it again until it is dead out.

315 Acres Destroyed
107 Fires at Fault

  • Operate ATVs on established roads and trails.
  • Park on developed surfaces.
  • Ensure all parts of your vehicle are secure.
  • Check your vehicle.
  • Maintain and clean exhaust systems and spark arrestors.

55 Acres Destroyed
12 Fires at Fault

  • Be Prepared.
  • Be Safe.
  • Be Responsible.
  • Be Aware.

1,273 Acres Destroyed
83 Fires at Fault

  • Call first to find out if equipment use is restricted.
  • Use gas-powered equipment early in the day.
  • Use a weed trimmer with plastic line.
  • Keep the exhaust system in proper working order.
  • Make sure your gas-powered tools are equipped with approved spark arresters.
  • Keep a fire extinguisher or water-charged hose close by.

3 Acres Destroyed
19 Fires at Fault

  • Dispose of smoking materials in deep, sturdy ashtrays.
  • Make sure butts and ashes are extinguished by using water or sand.
  • NEVER discard butts on the ground or in vegetation outdoors.

WHAT IS AT STAKE IF WILDFIRES CONTINUE?

Natural occurring wildfires can be helpful to fire-adapted forest ecosystems. Lightning is responsible for about 1/3 of Oregon’s wildfires and they typically occur during the July and August months. People, however, are the wildcard.

They start over 70% of Oregon’s wildfires year-round and in various ways. These careless accidental wildfires destroy lives, property, and Oregon’s beautiful landscapes.

View The Fire Map

How To Take Action

There are many ways Oregonians can help prevent wildfires:

  1. The best thing that everyone can do is familiarize themselves with the various ways that wildfires start, and teach others about wildfire safety. If your not sure about the landscape conditions and risky activities, call your local fire authority for information on restrictions.
  2. Work with your neighbors to become a recognized Firewise community.
  3. Work with organizations to rehabilitate burned areas by planting trees or repairing destroyed infrastructure like trails and bridges.
  4. Donate to aid organizations who assist in community recovery.
  5. Donate your time, money, or auction items to prevention organizations like KOG.
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