Oregon’s Division of Financial Regulation (DFR) is urging residents to prepare for the upcoming 2025 wildfire season, as hotter, drier conditions have arrived early this year. The National Interagency Fire Center has reported a gradual increase in fire activity since May, with drought conditions intensifying in the Northwest and several significant fires having broken out recently.
TK Keen, DFR administrator, noted that last year saw more acres burned in Oregon than during the 2020 wildfires, although fortunately, the loss of life and property was lower. With warming and drying weather, the risk of wildfires is high.
Since the start of the 2020s, Oregon wildfires have caused nearly $3 billion in estimated losses, surpassing the total losses from the previous four decades.
Residents should consider the following steps before disaster strikes:
– Review Insurance: Check your insurance policies with your agent to ensure adequate coverage, as many homeowners are underinsured.
– Create a Home Inventory: Document your possessions with a video or through a home inventory app to make claims easier.
– Organize Important Documents: Gather essential documents – titles, insurance policies, and certificates – and store copies securely, either in the cloud or with your emergency kit.
– Prepare Financially: Set aside cash for initial expenses after the emergency.
– Enhance Fire Safety: Create defensible space around your home by clearing dry vegetation and debris, trimming trees, and placing screens over vents.
More info: dfr.oregon.gov/preparenow.
