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The probability of a home surviving a wildfire greatly increases with two fire-wise home improvements: fire-retardant building materials and, in the yard, the creation of defensible space. Learn how to design an effective and beautiful fire-safe landscape that could save your home.

Article can be found here, written by Tabitha Sukhai: https://www.thisoldhouse.com/landscaping/21015539/firesafe-landscaping-defensible-space

In the wake of the relief effort after California’s recent wildfire devastation, a major component in fire-safe home rebuilding is “defensible space”—a specially planned and designed area around your home that provides maneuvering space for firefighters, serves as a barrier to impede raging wildfires from getting to your doorstep, and prevents house fires from spreading to the wild. In contrast to the traditionally lush American yard, a defensible space uses the judicious selection and placement of plantings as a strategy to decrease the spread of fires.

Since many homeowners neglect to incorporate defensible space into their landscaping—fire-safe designs have a reputation of diminishing curb appeal—California has initiated the Why 100 feet? campaign, complete with billboards lining the interstate. Effective January 2005, a 100-foot defensible space around homes, following a two-zone model, was required by California state law. Defensible space doesn’t have to be unsightly, though. In fact, a working knowledge of how defensible space can save your home, as well as an understanding of the right plants to use, may sway even the most fastidious of gardeners.

Zones

While California only requires a mandatory 100-foot defensible space in two zones, models can include up to four zones. Zone 1—the area closest to your home and any other structure on your property, like garages and guest houses—is the immediate perimeter, extending 30 feet out from the edge of the structure. Applying defensible design in this space, along with clear street signs and house numbers, will make it easy for fire-safety workers to get to you in an emergency. Zone 2 extends 70 feet past the end of Zone 1, completing the mandated defensible space area for California residents. However, if your property line lies beyond the 100-foot defensible space, you should also maintain any forested areas in Zones 3 and 4 of your property by trimming trees to keep them clear of each other and removing litter.

Zones 1 and 2 make up the area immediately surrounding structures on your property. These areas must be well irrigated and consideration must be given to the types of plants used, and the clearance between them Photo by Courtesy CAL FIRE

Defensible Design Principles

A common misconception is that defensible landscape design calls for the stripping of visually appealing trees and plants, leaving a barren wasteland of a yard. But, plants—even severely burned ones—can provide stability to the land by way of their root systems, reducing the risk of erosion after a fire. Instead, you’ll want to pay attention to:

Reduction of Plant Fuels 

The excess and/or dead plants surrounding your home act as fuels when fire strikes. Remove them from your defensible space, replacing more flammable varieties with fire-resistant ones recommended by your local nursery.

Use native plants in your defensible space. “Native species—a good southwestern Colorado example is buffalo grass—are fire-adapted, which means that their tops may burn off in a fire, but the roots develop to such an extent that they are the first to regenerate after a fire,” says Jeff Burns, a forester with the Colorado State Forest Service’s Alamosa District. These plants offer the fire-wise trait of being easy to maintain, and strong root systems will reduce property damage from erosion. The fire-adaptive traits of native plants ensure the preservation of native species and allow for a landscape that is more likely to survive exposure to extreme heat.

Trees and shrubs can be used in all defensible space zones, including Zone 1, provided they are a safe distance from other plants and any structures (more on that below). The trees you select for your landscape should be low in resin and sap content, with no rough bark. Consider replacing shrubs with a less flammable groundcover.

Consider the litter that plants create in the off-season. Try to select plants that shed minimal amounts of needles, leaves, and other waste. Any area where the ground is thickly covered with pine needles is at high risk, since the presence of very aromatic, dry litter increases flammability in fire-prone locations.

Visit a local nursery and talk to a grower about which plants will work for your defensible space. You can also call your local fire authority or contact a Firewise Community/USA representative.

Incorporate fuel breaks like gravel and stone into your landscape. In the first 3 to 5 feet of Zone 1, replace all of the plants closest to the perimeter of your home with a bed of gravel. Replace mulch with flame-resistant landscaping materials by weaving gravel and stone pathways into your design. The use of these accents will provide visitors with safe passage to view your living collection and impede approaching flame in the event of a wildfire.

Size and Placement of Plants

Now that you’ve picked flame-resistant plant varieties for your defensible space, you should follow a few guidelines when planting them.

Break up continuity of growth and eliminate ladder fuels. Depending on the slope of your land, trees and plant clusters should be vertically and horizontally clear of one another, since groupings of short and tall plants create an opportunity for easy flame transfer. Make sure trees are trimmed clear 6 to 10 feet off the ground. Keep in mind that fire travels faster up slopes, so the space between plants must be greater than it would be on level ground. For example, a 0 to 20 percent slope requires 10 feet of distance between tree crowns, while a 20 to 40 percent slope requires a 20-foot clearance between tree crowns. Depending on the slope of your property, you may need to clear tree branches 20 to 40 feet from the ground. It’s essential to determine the slope of your property before planning your design. Refer to slides 3 to 5 at left for some basic guidelines.

Make sure that any Zone 1 trees are clear of your home, with branches making no contact with roofing or siding.

Maintenance and Cleanup The key to an effective defensible space is eliminating fuels, so make sure you get rid of dead trees and plant debris promptly.

Zones 1 and 2 must be well irrigated. You might even consider installing drip irrigation.

Mow, prune, and trim all zones regularly to maintain defensible spacing between trees and plant clusters. Then, dispose of litter promptly and appropriately. Consider mowing with a manual mower or string trimmer, to avoid sparks and oil leaks that can start and fuel fires.

Check and clean gutters regularly, making sure they are free of plant and tree litter.

Place woodpiles outside of Zone 1, or 30 feet away from your home.

Thin out and space trees in areas maintaining forestry—typically Zones 3 and 4. Follow the spacing guidelines above and remember to be mindful of slope.

Where to Find It

Get started on your defensible space by printing a copy of the Firewise Landscaping Checklist

For more on California’s defensible space law, visit the State of California’s CAL FIRE website

For more on landscaping your defensible space and native plants in your region, contact your local state forester. You can find contact information in the National Association of State Foresters directory

For more on recommended plants, you can check The Directory of Firewise Plant Lists

For more general information on defensible space, contact your local Fire Safe council or a Firewise Community/USA representative

Testing positive for COVID-19 can make anyone feel nervous. Knowing what to do when you get a positive test result is important for your health and the health of people around you. The first thing to know is that you should do the same things whether you are fully vaccinated, partially vaccinated, or unvaccinated.

Since Oregon is currently experiencing a large number of COVID-19 cases, it is straining case investigation and contact tracing  resources. This means you may not receive a phone call from your health department after you test positive.

Here’s what to do if you have COVID-19:

Stay home and stay separate from others.

• If you have symptoms you can be around others after:
  • You have no fever for 24 hours without the use of medicine, AND
  • Your symptoms improve, AND
  • At least 10 days have passed since your first symptoms.
• If you don’t have symptoms you can be around others after:
  • 10 days have passed since your test, and you have no symptoms.
  • Tell your close contacts right away so they can isolate and stop the spread.

Tell your close contacts right away

The sooner you let anyone you came in close contact with before your diagnosis know, the sooner they can take action to stop the spread, including quarantining if not fully vaccinated.  

• If you had or have symptoms: Contact the people you were in close contact with beginning 2 days before your symptoms began. 
• If you did not or do not have symptoms: Contact the people you were in close contact with beginning 2 days before you took your COVID-19 test. 

If you need help you can :

• Call your local public health department if you need support to isolate.
• Call 211 for information on vaccinations, testing, and other resources
• Call your health care provider if you’re concerned that your symptoms are not improving.
• Call 911 if you have these severe symptoms:
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Pain or pressure in the chest or belly
  • Unable to drink or keep liquids down
  • New confusion or inability to wake up
  • Bluish lips or face

Read more about how to isolate or quarantine here. If you would like support or resources in multiple languages you can visit OHA’s Safe + Strong website, or call the Safe + Strong Helpline at 1-800-923-HELP (4357).

The feelings of grief, loss and loneliness that we may have right now are normal. The loss of each of our loved ones is painful and the impacts ripple outward. We are also mourning and handling many other kinds of losses.

A lot of us have been wearing masks for a while.  If you have kids over age two, chances are they’re great at it too.   

As parents, we’re asked to do a lot to keep our kids safe.  It’s been especially true through this pandemic.  It is normal to feel anxious, unsure and tired.  With school starting so soon, it’s okay to feel uncertain about how to talk to kids about masking.  OHA’s statewide rule for 2021-22 school year requires face coverings in all indoor school settings, both public and private, for all people two years and older, including all students, staff, contractors, volunteers and visitors.    

Here are some tips to support your kids to feel confident in choosing to mask up at school:  

• Kids pick up on our moods even before we’re aware of them. Having a talk with your kids about their feelings and worries is a great first step. Acknowledging those emotions and working together helps everyone feel supported.  

• By now, your kids know why wearing a mask is important. (Thank you so much!) Kids love helping. For younger kids, try and find the positive reasons why wearing a mask is important.  
• Model masking yourself and through others by talking about other heroes who wear masks. Heroes like doctors and nurses and health care professionals wear masks! Your kids may respond best to superheroes or cartoon characters.  
• Practice effective masking at home. Practice putting on and taking off masks in front of a mirror. Have fun adjusting the straps and nose pieces. Younger kids love playing teacher, you could do an art project together while wearing your masks.  
• Encourage them and notice good masking behavior. No matter the age, let them know that you’re proud of them and that they should be proud of themselves! Thank them for being amazing helpers and friends.  
• Prepare them for mask free times such as lunch or recess. Let your children know it’s okay to take off their masks when they’re eating and drinking with others. You’re already doing an amazing job teaching them to be comfortable with their bodies. A mask is just another side of it.  

• Practice talking about masking: When at school, your kids will meet friends who have different ideas about masking. Be open and honest about your family culture and your feelings. Role-playing is a great way to problem solve and practice together. There are so many great and kind ways to build confidence in masking as a safe practice with statements like, “I like my mask. I feel safe with it on, and I hope you to feel safe with me too.” No matter what, let them know there are safe adults who will support them in school.  
• Prepare yourself for the after-school check in. It’s okay to want to ask if they felt safe and if they had problems with their mask that you could solve together. Let it be a part of the conversation.  
• Talk to your teacher about masking encouragement, enforcement and support. Honest conversations do so much and may help navigate all those emotions we’re feeling.   

You can read more about wearing a mask at school here.   

Masks Required Indoors Statewide – Begins Friday, August 13

This morning Governor Kate Brown announced a statewide mask requirement for all indoor public settings, including businesses, regardless of vaccination status, effective this Friday, August 13. The new mandate comes as COVID-19 hospitalizations break records throughout the state due to the highly transmissible delta variant.
 
Yesterday, 264 positive cases were reported in Lane County within 24 hours – the highest one day total for the county since the pandemic began in 2020.
 
The number of hospitalizations of Lane County residents with COVID-19 is also exceeding daily census counts observed during the winter surge and stressing the capacity of our local hospital system. Lane County, as Oregon’s second largest regional hospital hub, is receiving patients from other counties in Southwest Oregon. Statewide hospital capacity for COVID-19 patients is concerning as over 590 individuals were hospitalized in Oregon on August 9, 2021, over 150 of whom were in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds. You may remember that 300 hospitalized COVID-19 patients was previously considered a critical data point for the state.
 
Breakthrough cases (fully or partially vaccinated individuals who subsequently test positive for COVID-19) make up roughly 20% of the current cases.
 
Vaccination remains our most important tool in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly when coupled with masking and social distancing, and significantly reduces the risk of severe disease. You can view information on vaccination availability (including primary care providers and pharmacy partners) and clinics on Lane County’s website.

Lane County Public Health Offers $50 Gift Card to Anyone Who Receives a Vaccine at an LCPH Vaccination Clinic

Effective today, Lane County Public Health (LCPH) will offer $50 Visa cards to anyone over the age of 12 who receives a vaccine from a Lane County Public Health vaccine clinic. The first clinic the $50 incentive will be offered at is this evening from 4-6 PM at Churchill High School and is open to all community members. 

The $50 incentive is ONLY offered at LCPH vaccine clinics. It is not available at the Community Health Centers of Lane County, pharmacies, or other provider clinics. 

FAQs:

• Who is eligible?: All unvaccinated Lane County residents over the age of 12. 
• How does it work?: The $50 will be issued in the form of a Visa card at the time of vaccination that can be used anywhere that accepts Visa. Participants will receive $50 per dose (1 card for the first dose, 1 card for the second dose)
• What about the 1-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine?: Johnson & Johnson recipients will only receive one $50 card. 
• Is there a household limit?: No. all individuals over the age of 12 in a household are eligible to receive a $50 card. 
  
  A complete list of LCPH clinics is available online.

OHSU Statement on COVID-19 Forecast and Delta Variant

The delta variant of COVID-19 is extremely contagious, and Oregon is now facing a spike in COVID-19 hospitalizations because of it. When our hospitals are full, all Oregonians are at risk.

The latest data on the delta variant and its predicted impact on Oregon is dire. By Labor Day, Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) predicts that the state will be short 400-500 needed staffed hospital beds. This means that some Oregonians will not be able to get hospital care for COVID-19 or any other condition.

Cases are rapidly rising and the current forecast predicts that Oregon will have more than 1,000 hospitalized COVID-19 patients by Labor Day. This is the worst-case scenario that Oregonians worked so hard to avoid since March of 2020.

See the complete statement from OHSU regarding the state’s COVID-19 standing. 

Lane County residents can schedule a vaccine appointment directly by visiting the Lane County COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics webpage. You can also schedule an appointment at one of many local pharmacy providers. See links to participating pharmacies. Take the first appointment available to you whether from Lane County, your primary care provider or your pharmacy. 

Lane County Public Health Resumes Weekly COVID-19 Press Conferences

In order to provide greater clarity around the recent rise in COVID-19 cases, communicate what tools will enable our community to mitigate this rise, and help local media partners have greater access to public health professionals, Lane County Public Health has resumed weekly press conferences.

The first press conference was held today, and will take place every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. Community members and members of the media are welcome to watch and interact by logging on to the Lane County Health & Human Services Facebook Page where the conferences will be broadcast live. 

The videos will also be available afterwards on the Lane County Government Vimeo page.

COVID-19 Resources

See a list of Community Resources for physical and mental health, food, housing, businesses, employees, schools and children, as well as information in Spanish.

Also learn how you can help. Our partners have a significant amount of information available online. Please visit these resources for the most up to date information:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• State of Oregon
• Oregon Health Authority
• Lane County Public Health

Lane County Call Center: Open Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., 541-682-1380