Chief's Desk

CWPP Update in Progress

Central Cascades Fire & EMS is an active participant in the Walker Range Community Wildfire Protection Plan. This plan benefits the community by identifying areas where we need more work to create a safer community.

Regional Public Safety/Fire Protection agencies have started meeting to update the existing Walker Range (Regional) Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP).  This regional plan was adopted in July 2005 after many months of input from the public and regional fire protection agencies.

The goals of the Walker Range CWPP are to:

• Increase public understanding of living in a fire-adapted ecosystem

• Instill a sense of personal responsibility for taking preventative actions regarding wildland fire

• Restore fire-adapted ecosystems

• Improve the landscape’s fire resilience while protecting other social and ecological values

To achieve these goals, the plan contains several objectives, including:

• Assess the risk and hazard of wildland fire on all lands within the plan boundary

• Identify priorities for fuel reduction projects

• Examine emergency operations within the area and identify areas to improve community response and preparedness for wildland fire.

• Create an action plan that prioritizes actions to reduce hazardous fuels, enhance emergency response, and strengthen public education and prevention activities.

Active participants in the CWPP include: US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Walker Range Fire Patrol, Oregon; State Fire Marshal, State Police, Dept. of Transportation & Dept. of Forestry, Klamath County Emergency Management, Cascades Timberlands Corp., and regional fire districts including: LaPine, Central Cascades Fire & EMS, Chemult RFPD, Crescent RFPD and Oregon Outback RFPD. 

This plan has helped guide regional risk assessments as well as fuels reduction projects, and planning, training and equipping of regional fire protection agencies over the past 5 years. We have had some great successes and now, after 5 years, it is time to update the plan and determine what has been completed and what is yet to do. These agencies are meeting over the next months to revise the plan to accurately reflect current conditions and needs, and to develop a guide for future improvements.

Questions and input may be directed toward any of the involved agencies including your local fire protection district at 541-433-2800. 

Information regarding the numerous Central Cascades programs is available on the Public Information page of this website.

Stay Safe and don't forget your Senate Bill 360 fire safety guidelines.

Tim Cramblit, Chief

Central Cascades Fire & EMS