The risk of wildfire in the Portland Metro region has been particularly heightened with recent weather conditions. As conditions progress, please stay connected with state and local authorities on regulations, risks, and how to stay safe.
Below are some efforts the Forest Park Conservancy has participated in related to wildfire mitigation.
Firewise USA
Linnton, a neighborhood directly adjacent to Forest Park has officially achieved Firewise USA status. The Linnton Neighborhood Association (LNA) began their involvement in the Firewise USA Program in late 2018. The implementation of the program is to be led by the community, but has been supported by the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF), Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R), West Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District (WMSWCD), the Portland Fire Department, and the Forest Park Conservancy (FPC).
The Firewise USA Program is focused on prevention and preparedness work neighbors can do in their neighborhood at a residential level.
Since its adoption, Linnton neighbors have been working with the Portland Fire Department in completing site assessments to identify specific actions for fuel reduction and clearing of defensible space. Some of the actions include the removal of invasive species and debris, roof clearing, tree thinning, and clearing of defensible space adjacent to structures.
To date, and as reported this week by the LNA, 25+ homes have been assessed (representing 1/8th of all homes in the area)! And, ongoing outreach is happening to have more neighbors complete the free assessment. Recently, LNA mailed out postcards and other information to neighbors about the program and additional signage is to be installed in the next few weeks.
The Forest Park Conservancy’s Canopy Weeds Program
This program is focused on private properties surrounding Forest Park and with an emphasis in treating canopy weeds growing on trees. It is a free of cost service provided by the Forest Park Conservancy staff in collaboration with WMSWCD.
Removal of tree ivy helps control ladder fuels which both increase the risk of fires from the understory reaching the canopy of forests, and makes fires exponentially more dangerous and difficult for fire professionals to compete.
In the short work season during the second half of 2020, FPC worked with 8 landowners, and freed canopy weeds from about 360 trees. This work completes the treatments done earlier in the season on approximately 3,500 trees.
FPC is currently working with WMSWCD in the planning for next year’s program, tentatively scheduled for January through May of 2021.
Learn More
You can find more details on the Firewise USA Program here and on the origins of this work in the Linnton community in our post from 2019 here.
For more current updates on the fire risks of Forest Park and the adjacent landscape, please refer to the National Weather Service Portland.