With the smoke from this summer's fires barely cleared, Jefferson County is already planning ahead — updating the Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) that will guide fire prevention and preparedness efforts across the county for the next five years.

County Revamping Wildfire Protection Blueprint

The Jefferson County CWPP update is designed to strengthen how the county manages wildfire risks for communities from Madras and Culver to Crooked River Ranch, Ashwood, Shaniko, and rural areas in between. The process involves analyzing fuel loads on fire-prone lands, reviewing community evacuation routes, and improving coordination with state and federal fire agencies.

Community Wildfire Protection Plans carry practical financial weight: an up-to-date CWPP is often required to qualify for federal and state grants that fund fuel reduction projects, prescribed burns, defensible space programs, and community preparedness training.

Given that the Bench Fire this summer burned more than 67,000 acres near the reservation and surrounding rangeland, the timing of the update is particularly relevant for residents across Jefferson County who saw firsthand how quickly conditions can escalate.

County officials have not yet announced formal public comment periods, but residents who want to learn more or weigh in on the plan can contact:

  • Jefferson County Emergency Management: (541) 325-5008
  • Jefferson County Board of Commissioners: (541) 475-4451

Community Briefs

Free Car Seat Safety Fair — Sept. 26

Jefferson County Public Health is hosting a free Car Seat & Community Health Resource Fair on Friday, September 26, starting at 10 a.m. The event is open to all parents and guardians of children under age 8 who want to have their car seats professionally inspected and fitted by certified child passenger safety technicians. Studies consistently show that properly installed car seats significantly reduce the risk of injury in crashes. The fair is free of charge and open to all county residents — no appointment necessary.

Cemetery Cleanup — Sept. 21–25

Grounds crews at Mt. Jefferson Memorial Park and Gray Butte Cemetery in Madras will conduct their annual fall cleanup from Sunday, September 21 through Thursday, September 25. All flowers, decorations, and personal items left in the cemetery during that window will be removed and discarded. Families who wish to keep mementos at grave sites are asked to remove them before September 21 or replace them after September 25.