Project Wildfire receives national honor for wildfire mitigation efforts

After a competitive review by representatives from National Association of State Foresters, National Fire Protection Association, Forest Service and the International Association of Fire Chiefs, Central Oregon’s Project Wildfire has been selected to receive a 2018 Wildfire Mitigation Award. The award is the highest national honor a program can receive for outstanding work and significant program impact in wildfire preparedness and mitigation.

“This award belongs to each person who built Project Wildfire and who sustains its efforts in Deschutes County,” said Deschutes County Commissioner and Project Wildfire Board Member Phil Henderson. “Since Project Wildfire was formed in 2004, program staff, many partners, and residents have worked tirelessly to create disaster-resistant communities in Central Oregon.”

The National Wildfire Mitigation Award recognizes the efforts of organizations and individuals who have implemented successful and sustainable wildfire mitigation projects on the ground in their community. These awards are designed to recognize outstanding service at the federal, state, local and tribal levels of government and at the local community level. 

“We’re honored to receive this recognition,” said Project Wildfire Coordinator Alison Green. “This is a great recognition of the engagement we see in Central Oregon, through collaborative partnerships and with our engaged residents. We look forward to continuing to work together to ensure we have innovative, cutting edge tools to tackle the wildland fire problem we face in Central Oregon.”

About Project Wildfire: Formed in 2004, Project Wildfire seeks to prevent deaths, injuries, property loss, and environmental damage resulting from wildfires in Deschutes County. Project Wildfire is a community organization that facilitates, educates, disseminates, and maximizes community efforts toward effective fire planning and mitigation. Project Wildfire serves as the caretaker to seven (7) Community Wildfire Protection Plans in Deschutes County. These plans are tailored to specific geographic locations within Deschutes County to address the unique needs of residents and fire professionals. Together, the partners of Project Wildfire achieve its mission by building partnerships, sharing resources, and eliminating redundancies. Often Project Wildfire succeeds where individuals and individual agencies cannot.

For more information, visit www.projectwildfire.org or call 541-322-7129.