Wildfire season is part of life in Sisters. If you love living under tall ponderosa pines and clear high-desert skies, you also know embers and seasonal winds can threaten homes fast. You want practical steps that actually reduce risk without stripping away the landscape you enjoy. This guide gives you a simple, local plan to create defensible space around your home, maintain it through the year, and document your work if you plan to sell. Let’s dive in.
Why defensible space matters in Sisters
Sisters sits in a high-risk wildfire landscape with dry summers, mixed conifer forests, and frequent winds. In Central Oregon, embers are often the main way homes ignite during a wildfire. Reducing fuels near your house and hardening key features can make a meaningful difference.
Local authorities to consult include the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District, Deschutes County Emergency Management, the Oregon Department of Forestry, the Oregon State Fire Marshal, and OSU Extension. Some subdivisions or districts may have specific defensible-space requirements. Confirm any rules or permits before major vegetation work.
Your Home Ignition Zone plan
Use three simple zones around your house. Adjust distances on steep slopes or as recommended by the local fire district.
Immediate zone: 0–5 feet
This is your highest priority. The goal is to prevent direct flame and ember ignition right at the structure.
- Remove all flammable vegetation and combustible materials touching the house.
- Replace with hardscape or non-combustible surfaces like gravel, stone, or concrete.
- Keep decks and entryways clear of wood piles, propane cylinders, cushions, and planters with dry mulch.
- Avoid combustible mulch in the 0–5 foot zone.
- Enclose the underside of elevated decks and box or screen eaves where practical.
- Keep roofs and gutters free of leaves and needles. Maintain or upgrade to fire-resistant roof coverings if appropriate per local standards.
Intermediate zone: 5–30 feet
The goal here is to reduce flame length and slow fire so firefighters can work safely.
- Space shrubs and ornamental plants. Avoid continuous plantings that connect to tree canopies.
- Prune tree branches so the lowest limbs are about 6–10 feet above the ground, or higher on steep slopes.
- Remove dead branches and ladder fuels that allow fire to climb.
- Maintain horizontal spacing between tree crowns. Thin small trees and brush to break up continuous fuels.
- Trim grasses and groundcover and remove dry, dead vegetation. A common seasonal guideline is to keep grasses below about 4 inches during fire season.
- Keep combustible landscaping materials away from walls, windows, and under decks.
Extended zone: 30–100 feet
Think strategic thinning and spacing to slow a wildfire’s approach.
- Thin dense tree stands to reduce crown closure and ladder fuels.
- Favor larger, healthy trees and remove smaller suppressed conifers beneath them.
- Create a mosaic of vegetation islands separated by lower-fuel areas.
- Increase spacing upslope of the home and reduce fuels more aggressively on slopes.
Harden your home against embers
Embers can travel far ahead of flames. Address the most common entry points.
- Vents: Protect attic and foundation vents with corrosion-resistant metal mesh or ember-resistant vents. Confirm approved mesh sizes and products with the fire district or local code officials.
- Roof: Repair damaged roofing. Seal gaps where roofs meet walls. Keep valleys and eaves clear of debris.
- Eaves, soffits, and decks: Close or screen soffits and eaves where practical. Screen openings under decks.
- Windows and doors: Maintain frames and weatherstripping. When feasible, consider multi-pane or tempered glass for better heat resistance.
- Attachments: Enclose areas under porches and store combustibles away from the house.
Adjust for slope and lot conditions
Wildfire moves faster uphill. If your home sits on or below a slope, increase zone distances and be more aggressive with thinning upslope from the house. On smaller parcels, focus first on the 0–5 foot zone and then the 5–30 foot zone. Ask the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District for property-specific recommendations.
A simple seasonal schedule
Creating defensible space is not one-and-done. A light, regular cadence keeps you ready for dry months and helps sellers show ongoing care.
Year-round
- Store combustibles like firewood and lumber at least 30 feet from the home, ideally uphill and on a non-combustible pad.
Spring prep
- Clear roofs and gutters. Remove dead branches and ground litter. Mow grasses. Inspect vents, soffits, and decks. Prune trees and shrubs as needed. Check chimney spark arrestors.
Summer upkeep
- Mow or trim as needed to maintain recommended grass heights. Remove dead plants or branches after wind or pest events. Repair screens and vents after storms.
Fall cleanup
- After leaf drop, clear gutters and roofs again. Remove dead vegetation accumulated over summer. Recheck vents and under-deck screening.
Annual review
- In late spring, photograph your defensible space, note tree and shrub health, and schedule any thinning. Larger properties may need professional thinning every few years as fuels return.
Before you list
- Do a pre-listing sweep: empty gutters, trim vegetation, remove obvious hazards, and document the work with photos and receipts. Ask the local fire district whether any inspections or forms apply to your neighborhood.
Seller checklist you can print
Use these quick-hit tasks to tune your property for fire season or market prep.
Immediate zone: 0–5 feet
- Remove leaf litter, pine needles, and combustible mulch.
- Relocate firewood and propane tanks to 30 feet or more from structures.
- Enclose under-deck areas and screen openings near the home.
- Clean gutters and roof valleys.
Near house: 5–30 feet
- Trim and separate shrubs. Remove dead plants.
- Prune lower tree branches to 6–10 feet, or as advised by local officials.
- Remove ladder fuels under trees.
- Maintain grasses and groundcovers. Rake up flammable debris.
Extended property: 30–100+ feet
- Thin dense tree groups. Remove small suppressed trees.
- Create separate clumps of vegetation with breaks between them.
- Maintain clear access for firefighters, including address signage and drive turnout areas where applicable.
Ember and structure checks
- Inspect vents and screens. Replace with corrosion-resistant metal mesh or approved ember-resistant vents as advised by local officials.
- Repair roof damage and clear debris.
- Box soffits and screen under-deck openings if feasible.
- Maintain clear space around fuel-burning appliances and verify chimney spark arrestors.
Documentation to keep
- Photos showing current conditions.
- Receipts for pruning, thinning, and roofing work.
- Records of seasonal maintenance and gutter cleanings.
- Any inspection or compliance forms from the local fire district.
- Contact details for your fire district and insurance agent.
Work with local experts
For Sisters-specific guidance, start with the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District. Review the Deschutes County Community Wildfire Protection Plan for community priorities and evacuation planning. The Oregon Department of Forestry, Oregon State Fire Marshal, and OSU Extension provide practical homeowner guidance and plant selection tips for Central Oregon. Product specifics and required clearances can vary, so confirm details before you buy vents, change roofing, or begin major vegetation work.
Ready to put this plan into action?
If you want help prioritizing tasks, coordinating vetted local vendors, or preparing your property for market, our team can handle the logistics and documentation so you do not have to. Reach out to Bend Home Collective to Schedule Your Concierge Consultation and get a tailored plan for your Sisters home.
FAQs
What is defensible space and how much do I need in Sisters?
- Defensible space is the managed area around your home that reduces ignition risk from flames and embers. A practical layout uses 0–5 feet, 5–30 feet, and 30–100 feet, adjusted for slope and local guidance.
Which mulch is safest near my house in Central Oregon?
- In the 0–5 foot zone, avoid combustible mulch and choose non-combustible surfaces like gravel or stone; use other mulches outside that zone with careful spacing and maintenance.
How often should I prune trees and shrubs around my Sisters home?
- Plan a spring pruning and a fall touch-up, then prune as needed after storms or pest damage; keep lower limbs 6–10 feet above ground, or higher on slopes, per local recommendations.
Do I need a permit to remove trees or create defensible space in Deschutes County?
- Some neighborhoods or districts have specific rules or programs, so confirm permit needs and standards with the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District and Deschutes County before major work.
How does slope change defensible space distances?
- Fire moves faster uphill, so increase distances in each zone and reduce fuels more aggressively upslope from your house; ask the fire district for property-specific spacing.
What should sellers document to show wildfire mitigation to buyers?
- Keep photos of zones, receipts for pruning or roof work, maintenance logs, and any inspection or compliance forms from the local fire district to demonstrate ongoing care.
