Reporter for The Canyon Weekly
A defensible space and wildfire resiliency workshop featuring experts from around the state is set for July 22 at The Oregon Garden in Silverton.
The 9 a.m. to noon event is free but reservations are required and space is limited to 50 people. See https://www.marionswcd.net/event/conservation-club-wildfire-resiliency/?utm_source=Marion+SWCD&utm_campaign=69d76cf486-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2022_01_15_12_16_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b3c4c66abb-69d76cf486-1405653505 to register. The workshop takes place at the Garden’s fire safety house.
The workshop aims to teach the essential skills and knowledge needed to protect your home and family from the risk of wildfire in your neighborhood. Topics to be covered include wildfire risk evaluation, home hardening, creating defensible space around the home, preparing for evacuation and information on fire-resistant plants.
The session features speakers including:
– Kayla Bordelon, regional fire specialist for Oregon State University Extension;
– Stephanie Stafford, fire risk reduction specialist with the Oregon State Fire Marshal;
– Professionals with the Silverton Fire District; and
– Brooke Edmunds, community horticulturist with OSU Extension for Marion, Polk, Linn and Benton counties.
Other event partners include the Oregon Garden, Sustainable Silverton and the Oregon Department of Forestry.
The fire safety house is in the lower portion of the Oregon Garden, a short walk from the J. Frank Schmidt Pavilion.
DEFENSIBLE SPACE WEB TOOL
The Oregon State Fire Marshal has a web tool on defensible space that includes best practices, resources to download and a property assessment portal. See https://oregondefensiblespace.
