We know it's scary to think about fire season, yet we believe that the adage is true where wildfires are concerned: our best offense is a strong defense. Oregon is home to beautiful, productive forests–an incredible gift and a liability.
Wildfires are part of life here and have been for centuries. TheEagle Creek fire in 2017 was devastating, and yet it was only one-fifth the size of the Yacolt Burn (1902), the worst fire on record in the Gorge. While it's essential to work on reducing unintended fires, complete fire suppression is no longer the goal. Experts are working toward improved management strategies for lowering long-term wildfire risks, but we have to be realistic about the time it will take to shift our fire management practices.
If you were here in 2020, you would remember the intensity of the smoke and the scramble to buy box fans, filters, and better face masks. Now is the time to assemble your supplies.
Here's a handy guide, created by the EPA, to protecting yourself from wildfire smoke>>