This past week marked the first part of FireFree events in Bend, Sunriver, and the Box Canyon Transfer Site in Jefferson County for residents to dispose of yard waste for FREE in an effort to create and maintain defensible space around homes – in the "Home Ignition Zone".
Bend area residents responded by bringing 17,473 cubic yards of flammable yard waste to Knott Landfill while residents on Bend's west side took advantage of the convenient West Side Collection Site and recycled 3,431 cubic yards of pine needles and other debris.
Residents in Jefferson County also responded by bringing 4,073 cubic yards of yard debris to Box Canyon Transfer Station in Madras over the weekend.
The overall total collected for the first round of FireFree events was 25,477 cubic yards, which is a 10% increase from last year!
"The Home Ignition Zone is the most vulnerable part of the residential property when a wildfire is nearby", states FireFree Program Coordinator Alison Green. "Individual homeowners are our greatest resource when it comes to protecting structures in the event of a wildfire".
The FireFree message is a year-round effort to educate community members about how they can be prepared for wildfires. Residents are encouraged to visit the www.FireFree.org for more information on reducing the structural ignitability of homes.
There's still more opportunities left to dispose of yard waste and debris for FREE!
FireFree allows residents of Central Oregon the opportunity to dump yard waste and debris at no charge at area landfills and transfer stations.
Redmond
Negus Transfer Station 8AM-4PM
June 2-3, 2017
2400 NE Maple Way, Redmond
Sisters
Northwest Transfer Station 8AM-4PM
June 2-3, 2017
68200 Fryrear Road, Cloverdale (Sisters)
La Pine
Southwest Transfer Station 8AM-4PM
June 2-3, 2017
54580 Highway 97, La Pine
Crescent & Chemult
Transfer Stations 8AM-4PM
June 2-3, 2017
Crescent Cutoff Road (Crescent) & Highway 97 South (Chemult)
Please remember to cover your loads! Drivers of uncovered loads and loads that lose debris along the roadways are subject to a large fine.
For participating residents please note that manure, sod and construction debris are not permitted free of charge during these cleanup days. They will be accepted although regular rates for these materials will apply.
For more information about FireFree activities in your area, visit www.FireFree.org.
