An aerial view of a grass fire burning near the 4100 block of Vitae Springs Road South near Salem on Monday, Sept. 13. (Courtesy/Reader photo)
Salem homeowners, including those who live near wooded or open fields, can learn how to protect their property against wildfires in a free webinar hosted by the Office of the State Fire Marshal.
The online event is scheduled for one hour, starting at 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 31. Those interested need to register online.
The presentation in “What is the Home Ignition Zone?” will “focus on the home and the first 100 feet around it,” according to the state announcement. “The team will highlight simple, easy solutions that could make a difference in the event of a wildfire.”
A Salem neighborhood experienced the threat of urban wildfires last September, when brush caught fire following a car accident in the Vitae Springs area. About three dozen homes had to be evacuated until firefighters could stop the fire.
“We want to remind folks that wildfire can impact all Oregonians. Unfortunately, we have seen examples in Oregon over the past couple of years where fires occur close to cities and towns,” said Alison Green, public affairs director for the state fire marshal. “The most recent example was in Boulder, Colorado, where a grass fire impacted the city and commercial buildings over the holiday season.”
