1950s Billboards Will Feature in This Year’s Keep Oregon Green Campaign
Organizers of the Keep Oregon Green campaign have decided to use billboards featured in the 1950s to make the public aware of fire safety regulations.
Together with federal, state, tribal, and local fire and emergency services, they will be sharing information about Wildfire Awareness Month throughout May.
Residents Must Create Defensible Spaces Around Their Properties
Oregonians must create defensible spaces around their properties to prevent careless and unnecessary wildfires.
The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) says in a news release that people are responsible for starting 70% of wildfires every year.
According to the ODF, many of the wildfires are caused by piles of debris that catch alight or vehicles and gas-powered equipment that cause sparks to ignite fires.
People Caused 723 of the Wildfires in the State Last Year
The ODF says people were directly responsible for starting 723 of the record-breaking 2024 fire season that caused hundreds of millions of dollars in damages.
It points out that sparks spread quickly in dry vegetation, and resulting wildfires impact lives, personal property, and many of Oregon’s areas of natural scenic beauty.
One of the first rules of fire safety is to know what restrictions apply to outdoor areas where building open fires or using equipment could ignite a wildfire.
The ODF says there are several precautions residents can adopt to do their share to Keep Oregon Green.
In a revamp of a campaign launched in 1941, this year’s campaign will use vintage billboard artwork from the 1950s to make a timeless reappearance and remind people to Keep Oregon Green.
The campaign calls on Oregonians to be aware of the outcome of negligent or reckless actions that cause wildfires, and the steps they can take to prevent these mistakes.
Where to Find More Information
Campaign artwork and additional wildfire safety tips can be found at keeporegongreen.org and on various social media platforms.
A new wildfire fire prevention topic will be shared each week during May to help homeowners and outdoor enthusiasts learn how to prevent their activities from sparking a wildfire.
For more information, visit the websites for Keep Oregon Green at www.keeporegongreen.org, the Oregon Department of Forestry at www.oregon.gov/odf, and the Oregon State Fire Marshal at https://www.oregon.gov/osfm/education/pages/prevent-wildfires.aspx.