In February 2022, the Upper Olalla Firewise Community receives a $75,000 grant from the State of Oregon for Defensible Space and Fuels Mitigation projects. This community is 1 of 20 Firewise Communities through out Oregon to procure the grant, which is part of $200 million allocated by the Legislature in 2021 for wildfire risk response, mitigation, and planning. There are over 80 applications submitted in Oregon for this grant. The

Tenmile Rural Fire District (TRFD) wrote the application and is the project sponsor. Leonard Herzstein, acting Assistant Fire Chief, will oversee the work done. The fire department will be involved in roadside brush clearing, burning brush piles, and chipping. Douglas Forest Protective Association will also do chipping on a when available basis. 14 private homeowners in the community are participating by preforming Defensible Space work themselves or by fuels reduction contractors.

TRFD will soon be accepting applications for the temporary work crew this summer. You can fill out the volunteer application for this at: https://tenmilefire.specialdistrict.org/volunteer-today Or visit the Tenmile Fire Station Monday thru Friday for an application. This will be a paid part-time position. You must be 17 years or older on July 5.

Communities can become a Firewise USA Community with the assistance of Douglas Forest Protective Association. Homeowners will learn about Defensible Space and home preparation for wildfires. Contact Kyle Temple at 541-672-6507, ext 136 for more information. The Upper Olalla Firewise Community has been active since 2013 serving over 100 homes.  

Tenmile Fire is has adopted the Wildland Fire Assessment Program and is now providing residential wildland fire assessments for homes located in the wildland-urban interface (WUI). This is the first program targeted to volunteers that specifically prepares them to evaluate a home and provide residents with recommendations to protect their property from wildfires in order to make their community more fire adapted. An appointment is required and Covid-19 safety precautions will be followed throughout the assessment.