As of Sunday (June 1^st), Central Oregon has officially entered fire season. That means that burning permits are now required on all private and state forestlands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry within Crook, Deschutes, and Jefferson counties.

So it seems as good a time as any to remind everyone of the importance of ensuring that the property they own or are about to purchase in Central Oregon is fire-safe. Wildfire is, after all, a very real concern here in the high desert.

According to an article in the Bend Bulletin, since 2002, there have been seven fires in the Sisters Ranger District larger than 3,000 acres. The largest, 2003's B & B Fire, scorched more than 90,000 acres.

Last year, the residents of Black Butte Ranch were evacuated when the G.W. Fire came within a quarter-mile of the resort. In 2006, the Lake George Fire threatened the Sisters' communities of Crossroads and Tollgate, along with Black Butte. In 2005, The Black Crater Fire burned 9,400 acres west of Sisters and forced the evacuation of 1,500 people. (The photo of the Black Crater Fire shown above was taken in Tumalo -- almost 15 miles from the fire.

Below are a few resources for those who'd like to learn more about ensuring that their home is as safe as possible against wildfire.

** Here are some tips on keeping your home fire-safe, from Firewise.

** Here are some more tips on keeping your home fire-safe, from the Oregon State University Extension Service.

** Here's a virtual tour of a fire-safe home, also from Firewise.

** Here's a great illustration and tips on creating a defensible space around your home, from Keep Oregon Green.

** Here's a 48-page full-color publication detailing fire-resistant plants for landscaping, also from Oregon State University.

** Here are 10 Tips for reducing your risk from wildfire, from Bend-based Firefree. 

** Here are some outdoor safety tips for building a campfire, from the U.S. Forest Service.

** To track the status of a wildfire, visit the Oregon Department of Forestry website or the  Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests Crooked River National Grassland website.