Introduction: With the increasing threat of wildfires across Oregon, creating a defensible space around homes and properties is more crucial than ever. The Oregon State Fire Marshal’s (OSFM) new Defensible Space Assessment Incentive Reimbursement Pilot Program is designed to empower residents of our most vulnerable communities to take proactive measures to protect their homes from the dangers of wildfires.
What is Defensible Space? Defensible space refers to the buffer you create between a building on your property and the grass, trees, shrubs, or any wildland area that surround it. This space helps to slow or stop the spread of wildfire and protects your home from catching fire – either from direct flame contact or radiant heat. Defensible space is also important for the protection of the firefighters defending your home.
Program Overview: The Defensible Space Assessment Incentive Reimbursement Pilot Program offers a $250 incentive to eligible participants who take active steps to create or improve the defensible space around their properties. This initiative targets 50 communities throughout Oregon identified as having the highest fire exposure risks, based on data from the Social Vulnerability Index by the CDC and the 2018 Pyrologix report.
Eligibility and How to Participate: To qualify for this incentive, participants must:
- Live in one of the selected high-hazard communities.
- Own or rent a home or property in these areas.
- Request and receive a defensible space assessment conducted by fire service members or OSFM personnel.
- Implement at least two recommended improvements based on the OSFM’s defensible space assessment checklist.
These improvements may include tasks like removing flammable vegetation from around the home, spacing out trees, and clearing out dead leaves and debris.
Incentive Details: Upon completion of the defensible space assessment and the necessary improvements, participants will receive a $250 Visa® prepaid gift card. This card is intended to reimburse participants for approximately eight hours of work, making the improvements more accessible and less burdensome.
Why Participate? Besides the financial incentive, participating in this program significantly increases your property’s chance of surviving a wildfire. It’s not just about protecting individual homes; entire communities become safer when more residents take steps to manage vegetation and other combustible materials around their properties.
Program Effective Date: The program will officially launch on March 11, 2024, and is administered by the OSFM with support from local fire agencies.
Conclusion: The Defensible Space Assessment Incentive Reimbursement Pilot Program is a key step towards building a more resilient Oregon. By incentivizing residents to adopt fire-safe practices, we can collectively reduce the impact of wildfires on our lives, properties, and environment.
For more information on how to apply and to check if your community is eligible, please visit https://www.oregon.gov/osfm/Documents/OSFM_Defensible_Space_Assessment_Incentive_Reimbursement_Pilot_Program_Guidelines.pdf
