As Stage 1 fire restrictions take effect across Central Oregon public lands this week and fire season arrives ahead of schedule, Crooked River Ranch is taking wildfire preparation into its own hands — with a little help from a herd of goats.
The unincorporated community west of Madras, home to thousands of residents spread across high-desert terrain, has begun using goats to clear brush and grass from around homes and common areas, creating defensible space that can slow the spread of wildfire and give firefighters better conditions to protect structures.
“It is absolutely important to protect your property as well as your neighbors.” — Dan McRae, Crooked River Ranch Maintenance Supervisor
Insurance Crisis Hits Rural Jefferson County
The wildfire preparation efforts come amid a worsening home insurance crisis in fire-prone rural communities. Residents across Crooked River Ranch have seen premiums skyrocket in recent years, and some have struggled to obtain coverage at all — a problem that has become a pressing quality-of-life issue for homeowners in the area.
“Some people have a hard time even getting insurance depending on their location. It’s been a struggle for everyone to see how high the insurance has gone up.” — Dan McRae
Defensible space — the buffer zone between a home and surrounding vegetation — is one of the factors insurance companies increasingly consider when assessing risk and setting premiums. Proactive community-level clearing can help individual homeowners make the case for better coverage terms.
An Early Fire Season
The timing of Crooked River Ranch’s defensible space efforts could not be more relevant. Oregon’s 2026 fire season was formally declared on May 8, earlier than typical. As of this morning, Stage 1 fire restrictions are in effect on public lands across Central Oregon, including Crooked River National Grassland, which borders the Crooked River Ranch area.
Above-average temperatures, low humidity, and predicted winds have fire managers on high alert. Madras saw near-record temperatures last week, with highs approaching 87 degrees in mid-May.
What Residents Can Do
Jefferson County emergency managers and ODF recommend that rural homeowners:
- Clear dry grass, brush, and debris at least 30 feet from structures
- Trim tree branches up at least 6 feet from the ground
- Remove dead vegetation from roofs and gutters
- Maintain ember-resistant vents and screens
- Create a go-bag and know your evacuation route
Residents with questions about private land burn permits during fire season can contact the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Central Oregon district office.