FIREFREE PROGRAM

“It’s quick, it’s simple. It’s everyone’s responsibility,”   Gary Marshall, Deputy Fire Chief and Fire Marshal, City of Bend Fire Department.

In 1997, FireFree was created following the devastating Skeleton Fire in Bend, Oregon.  FireFree is a national model for homeowner education and mitigation programs in the wildland urban interface. FireFree creates awareness and educates residents about the risks of wildfire to their property and the steps to take to reduce those risks.  FireFree encourages homeowners to take responsibility by creating defensible space around their property and disposing of debris.  In Central Oregon, our strong partnership with Deschutes County Department of Solid Waste and Deschutes Recycling allows us to host FireFree Clean-Up Days which include the FREE disposal of unlimited amounts of yard debris at local recycling stations and the landfill.  The debris is mulched on site and distributed throughout Central Oregon on lawns and gardens as part of a biomass recycling program that promotes healthy, green, defensible spaces and reduces the threat of escaped debris burns. For more information about FireFree, visit www.FireFree.org.