OUR VISION FOR A RESILIENT NEWBERRY COUNTRY
We envision a Resilient Newberry Country, where we develop information and resources to prepare for, prevent and respond to wildfire and other adverse events that threaten our community’s health, safety, and well-being.
OUR GAME CHANGER STRATEGY
R.1 Expand Funding and Education for Wildfire Preparedness and Prevention. ★
Establish local government and community-based support for fire-safe education and funding for property owners’ wildfire safety improvements. Conduct regular community-based meetings with fire officials to educate residents about wildfire preparedness and prevention steps. Identify resources to help property owners create defensible space, install fire-safe landscaping, and undertake fire-safe building retrofits. Create a community-based Fire Prevention and Protection Coordinator position that serves Newberry Country.
Rationale / Community Benefit: In a Central Oregon of warmer temperatures and more frequent drought, much of Newberry Country is increasingly at risk for destructive wildfires that threaten lives, property, and livelihoods. The Darlene 3 fire of 2024 demonstrated just how endangered our communities can be. The NRP public survey found 73 percent of the nearly 1,000 respondents requesting more steps be taken in the community to prepare for and prevent wildfires. By expanding fire-wise education and funding for local property owners, informing area residents on wildfire preparedness and prevention, and promoting greater coordination among these and other efforts, we can greatly reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires in our future. The time to strengthen those efforts is now.
ADDITIONAL STRATEGIES FOR A RESILIENT NEWBERRY
Implementation Timeline: 5 years/ongoing
Recommended Lead Partners: Oregon State Fire Marshal, Newberry Regional Partnership, La Pine Rural Fire Protection District, Deschutes County Forester, Sunriver Fire Department
Potential Supporting Partners: Team Rubicon, Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council, Upper Deschutes River Communities, Midstate Electric Cooperative, Oregon Department of Forestry, OSU Extension Service, Central Oregon Fire Prevention Cooperative
Related Strategies: See also Resilient Newberry R.3, Livable Newberry L.4
R.2 Coordinate Efforts to Address Illegal Camping on Public Lands. ★
Promote a coordinated effort by the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office and other public and private sector partners to address the public health and safety impacts of illegal camping on Public Lands in Newberry Country through increased funding, intervention and enforcements tools and options.
Implementation Timeline: 5 years/ongoing
Recommended Lead Partners: Newberry Regional Partnership, Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, City of La Pine, Bureau of Land Management
Potential Supporting Partners: United States Forest Service, St. Vincent De Paul, Deschutes County Behavioral Health, Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council
Related: See also Sustainable Newberry S.2, Thriving Newberry T.3 & T.5
R.3 Investigate Improvement to Wildfire Evacuation Routes and Signage.
Investigate improvements to evacuation signage on designated and alternate wildfire evacuation routes for Newberry Country residents and visitors. Address the evacuation challenges associated with Sunriver’s complicated road system and large numbers of visitors during summer months.
Implementation Timeline: 1-2 years
Recommended Lead Partners: Sunriver Police Department, Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, Deschutes County Emergency Services, Deschutes County Road Department, Sunriver Resort, Sunriver Owners Association
Potential Supporting Partners: Project Wildfire, Firewise Communities
Related: See also Resilient Newberry R.1, Livable Newberry L.1
Other Strategy Ideas Tested in the Community Poll for Future Consideration
Construct Pedestrian and Bicyclist Mobility Amenities and Safety Enhancements.
Provide Visitor Information and Promote Digital Literacy on Wildfire Safety.
Expand and Improve ‘Safe Routes to School’.
Establish and Enforce Restrictions on Hunting in Residential and Recreational Areas.