All of Wasco County, from forest to field, is at some level of risk from wildfire. All new construction must comply with Fire Safety Standards (Chapter 10), which includes criteria related to Access, Siting, Defensible Space, Construction Standards, On-site water, and Fire Response capabilities.
In 2018 Wasco County received guidance from the Community Planning Assistance for Wildfire (CPAW) program. The CPAW report (available here LINK) contains several recommendations to reduce Wasco County's fire risk through improved Land Use Planning, including suggestions to update the Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) in line with current best management practices.
A CWPP, first written for Wasco County in 2005 and being updated in 2020-21, is a plan developed by a community in an area at risk from wildfire. The Community Wildfire Protection Planning (CWPP) process is the collaboration between neighbors and agencies interested in reducing wildfire risk.
General Information
- Oregon Explorer
- Interactive map Oregon Wildfire Risk Explorer
- Oregon Wildfire Risk Explorer,
- Oregon Department of Forestry
- USDA & US Forest Service
- Oregon State University
Get Prepared
- Wasco County Land Use and Development Ordinance Fire Safety Standards
- Community Planning Assistance for Wildfire (CPAW)
- National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
- Oregon Health Authority, Get Prepared: Wildfires and Smoke
- Oregon Ready, Set, Go!
- Oregon Department of Forestry
- National Weather Service
- Wildfire Safety Tips (video, 1:23)
- Sikana
- How to prepare for a forest fire (video, 2:42)
Business & Organizations
- Small Business Administration (SBA)
- Wildfire Preparedness (PDF)