- Remove leaves, pine needles, and other flammable debris from roofs, gutters, decks, porches, and stairs.
- Clear vegetation and combustible mulch within five feet of the home’s foundation and attachments.
- Relocate wood piles, propane tanks, and furniture cushions outside this zone when fire risk is high.
- Use non-combustible materials (gravel, rock, or bare soil) for landscaping next to structures.
- Seal gaps where embers could enter—roof edges, fascia, and joints around siding.
- Maintain at least five feet of separation between tree crowns.
- Remove ladder fuels: prune lower branches up six to ten feet from the ground.
- Keep grass mowed to under four inches and watered when possible.
- Replace flammable ground cover (juniper, bark mulch) with fire-resistant plants or materials.
- Store outdoor equipment, lumber, and other combustibles away from structures.
- Screen or box-in areas below decks with 1/8-inch metal mesh.
30–100 Feet: Extended Zone
- Thin trees to create spacing of at least ten feet between crowns.
- Dispose of slash piles, dead trees, and heavy accumulations of downed limbs.
- Maintain driveways and access routes clear of flammable vegetation.
- Ensure your address numbers are visible from the road for emergency responders.
- Keep propane and fuel tanks cleared of vegetation for at least ten feet around.
Building-Envelope Hardening
- Replace or repair loose or missing shingles or roof tiles.
- Install 1/8-inch metal mesh on vents in eaves, attics, and crawl spaces.
- Repair or replace damaged or loose window screens and any broken windows.
- Consider upgrading to dual-pane or tempered-glass windows.
- Use metal flashing at roof-wall intersections and deck-to-wall junctions.
- Replace sections of wooden fence attached directly to the home with metal or masonry.
Preparedness & Maintenance
- Keep garden hoses attached and long enough to reach all areas of the home.
- Maintain defensible space yearly—check each zone at the start of fire season.
- Review evacuation routes and emergency contact information with household members.
- Register for county emergency alerts (Deschutes County Alert System).
- Have fire extinguishers readily available and ensure all adults know how to use them.
Note: This reconstruction combines the 2019 Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District brochure with Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Home Ignition Zone guidance and current Deschutes County Firewise checklists.