Oregon homeowners now have a powerful tool at their fingertips to stay ahead of wildfire threats. The Oregon Wildfire Dashboard, available at wildfire.oregon.gov, offers a comprehensive, view of fire activity across the state, providing crucial information to help residents protect their homes and families. You can also sign up for emergency alerts on the state’s wildfire website.
Why Homeowners Should Use the Wildfire Dashboard
The dashboard is an invaluable resource for several reasons:
- Fire Activity Tracking: Access up-to-date information on active fires, including their location and size. Note that fire acreage updates are provided as soon as reports are available from on-scene fire teams, typically every 24 hours.
- Evacuation Alerts: Stay informed about potential evacuation orders in your area, ensuring you can act swiftly to protect your loved ones.
- Weather Warnings: Get immediate access to fire-related weather watches and warnings, helping you prepare for changing conditions.
- Air Quality Monitoring: Check local air quality levels to protect your health during fire season, especially important for vulnerable populations.
- Smoke Forecasts: Plan outdoor activities based on predicted smoke conditions, minimizing exposure to harmful air.
- Fire Danger Levels: Understand the current fire risk in your region, allowing you to take necessary precautions.
By regularly checking the dashboard, homeowners can make informed decisions about their safety and property protection.
Key Features of the Wildfire Dashboard
The user-friendly interface offers several tabs with specific information:
- Fires Overview and Map
- Evacuation Information
- Fire-Related Weather Watches and Warnings
- Latest GOES Satellite Image
- Air Quality Monitoring
- Smoke Forecast
- AlertWest Cameras
- Oregon Department of Forestry Fire Danger
- Daily and Monthly Significant Fire Potential Outlooks
Additional Resources for Homeowners
To further enhance your preparedness, the Oregon government provides contact information for various agencies:
- Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF): https://www.oregon.gov/odf
- ODF Fire Map & Statistics: https://www.oregon.gov/odf/fire/pages/firestats.aspx
- ODF Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oregondepartmentofforestry
- ODF Twitter: https://twitter.com/ORDeptForestry
- Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM): https://www.oregon.gov/osfm
- OSFM Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OregonStateFireMarshal/
- OSFM Twitter: https://twitter.com/OSFM
- Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM): https://www.oregon.gov/oem
- OEM Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OMDOEM
- OEM Twitter: https://twitter.com/OregonOEM
- RAPTOR map of current fire incidents: https://arcg.is/1qr5bS
- Local/Tribal Emergency Managers: https://www.oregon.gov/oem/Documents/locals_list.pdf
- OEM Hazard Overview Dashboard (click on Fire Activity tab): https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/9bb52cec4e4943e195a238f160fbcd12
- Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ): https://www.oregon.gov/deq/pages/index.aspx
- Oregon Smoke Information: https://oregonsmoke.blogspot.com
- Air Quality Index: https://www.oregon.gov/deq/aq/Pages/aqi.aspx
- DEQ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ORSmokeInfo
- WildFire Social Service Help: https://www.2 11info.org
- Call 211 or 503-222-5555
- Text your zip code to 898-211
- American Red Cross Cascades Region: https://www.redcross.org/local/oregon.html
- Red Cross Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RedCrossCascades
- Red Cross Twitter: https://twitter.com/RedCrossCasc
- Road Status and Closures (ODOT): https://www.oregon.gov/odot
- ODOT Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OregonDOT
- ODOT Twitter: https://twitter.com/OregonDOT
- Visit tripcheck.com or call 5-1-1
You may also download your own copy of the above resources, and more, from the Oregon Wildfire Response & Recovery Website, here.
Benefits of Staying Informed
By actively using the Wildfire Dashboard and staying in touch with these resources, homeowners can:
- Make Timely Decisions: Quickly respond to evacuation orders and other emergency alerts.
- Protect Property: Implement preventive measures based on real-time fire danger levels.
- Safeguard Health: Monitor air quality and smoke forecasts to minimize exposure to harmful conditions.
- Plan Activities: Adjust daily routines based on current and forecasted fire and smoke conditions.
- Stay Connected: Utilize the provided contacts for any specific inquiries or assistance.
Remember, being prepared and informed is your best defense against wildfire threats. Bookmark the Wildfire Dashboard to use it when you need it. Your home and family will thank you for it.
