Wildfire has always been part of life in Central Oregon, but this season has been especially intense. Prolonged heat, dry vegetation, low humidity, high winds and repeated lightning have created conditions in which fires can ignite and spread quickly, sometimes leaving residents with very little time to respond.
Following more than 2,000 lightning strikes across Central Oregon on July 15, over 85 fires were reported in the days that followed, stretching regional firefighting resources. While many were contained quickly, others grew into major incidents that affected communities, prompted evacuation notices and caused widespread smoke and public-land closures.
The scale of this season has been difficult to ignore. The Bench Fire southwest of Warm Springs burned more than 67,000 acres, while the Akawa Butte Fire near Sisters reached approximately 27,500 acres. Other large fires and complexes across the region have required hundreds, and in some cases thousands of personnel working under dangerous and rapidly changing conditions.
Behind those numbers are families preparing to leave their homes, businesses facing disruption, communities living with hazardous smoke and firefighters working long days to protect people and property. Volunteer firefighters are an essential part of that response. Many step away from their regular jobs and families to serve their neighbors, often placing their own financial stability and personal well-being at risk in the process.
As a firm with a growing presence in Bend and relationships throughout Central Oregon, Deschutes Investment Consulting wanted to respond in a way that was both immediate and practical. We chose to support the Oregon Volunteer Firefighters Association Firefighter Relief Fund, which provides assistance to volunteer firefighters and their families during times of injury, hardship or loss.
This support is one way we can stand behind the people responding on the front lines. But we also recognize that supporting a community means helping people prepare before an emergency reaches their doorstep. That is why we created a complimentary wildfire preparedness resource designed specifically for Central Oregon residents.
We are grateful for the courage, time and personal sacrifice of these responders, and we wanted our support to extend beyond words. If you would also like to support the OVFA you can learn more and contribute here: Home - Oregon Volunteer Firefighters Association
Helping Central Oregon Prepare
We have also created a complimentary Wildfire Preparedness Guide to help Central Oregon residents prepare before an emergency occurs.
The guide brings important planning information and trusted local resources together in one place, including:
- How to monitor wildfire conditions and evacuation notices
- Where to register for county emergency alerts
- What to include in a household evacuation plan
- How to assemble a go kit
- Ways to prepare your home, pets and important documents
- What to do when a wildfire threatens
- Central Oregon fire, road and air-quality resources
Wildfire preparedness cannot eliminate every risk, but having a plan can reduce uncertainty and help families act more quickly when conditions change.
Download the Wildfire Preparedness Guide
We encourage you to download the guide, review it with your household and share it with someone who may find it helpful. A few thoughtful decisions made today, from registering for emergency alerts to identifying an evacuation route, can make it easier to respond when every minute matters.
Preparedness is also part of how we care for one another. It helps emergency responders do their jobs more safely, gives families greater confidence during uncertain conditions and strengthens the resilience of our communities.
Central Oregon Wildfire Preparedness FAQs
How can Central Oregon residents prepare for wildfire season?
Start by registering for local emergency alerts, learning your evacuation zone and identifying at least two routes out of your neighborhood. Prepare a household emergency plan, assemble a go kit, keep important documents accessible and review how you will evacuate children, pets or family members who need additional assistance.
Where can I sign up for wildfire and evacuation alerts in Central Oregon?
Residents should register with the emergency notification system for the county where they live or work. Deschutes County, Crook County and Jefferson County each operate local alert systems. Oregon residents can find the appropriate service for their location through OR-Alert.
Do not assume every emergency notification will automatically reach your phone. Register your contact information and keep it current.
What do Oregon’s wildfire evacuation levels mean?
Oregon uses three evacuation levels:
Level 1 - Be Ready: Be aware of the danger and prepare your household, pets and property.
Level 2 - Be Set: Conditions are threatening. Be ready to leave at a moment’s notice.
Level 3 - Go Now: Leave immediately. Do not delay to gather belongings or protect your property.
Anyone who feels unsafe may leave before an official evacuation order is issued.
What should be included in a wildfire go kit?
A wildfire go kit should include water, nonperishable food, medications, first-aid supplies, flashlights, batteries, phone chargers, backup power, N95 masks, clothing, sturdy shoes, hygiene items, cash, keys and essential pet supplies. Store the kit somewhere it can be loaded quickly.
Which financial and personal documents should be prepared for an evacuation?
Keep secure copies of identification, insurance policies, medical information, property records, estate-planning documents and important financial contact information. A current home inventory including photographs or video of your belongings, can also be helpful if you later need to file an insurance claim.
Store digital copies in a secure, accessible location and keep essential paper copies in a waterproof container inside your go kit.
Where can I find current Central Oregon wildfire information?
Use official sources for fire activity, restrictions and evacuation instructions.
Helpful resources include:
- Watch Duty App
- Central Oregon Fire Information
- Oregon Wildfire Information
- Oregon TripCheck for road conditions and closures
- AirNow Fire and Smoke Map for smoke and air-quality information
During an active emergency, follow instructions from county sheriffs, fire agencies and emergency-management officials rather than relying on unofficial social media reports.
When should I leave if a wildfire is nearby?
Leave immediately when officials issue a Level 3 evacuation notice. Consider leaving earlier if conditions are worsening or your household needs additional time because of children, animals, medical needs, limited mobility or transportation concerns. If you feel unsafe, you do not need to wait for the evacuation level to change before leaving.
Is the Deschutes Wildfire Preparedness Guide free?
Yes. The Wildfire Preparedness Guide is a complimentary community resource from Deschutes Investment Consulting. It was created to help Central Oregon residents organize essential information and take practical steps before and during a wildfire emergency.
Download the Complimentary Wildfire Preparedness Guide
If you have any questions please dont hesitate to contact us.
Sources: Central Oregon Fire Information