The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is urging community members to prepare for wildfire season. Following a recent brushfire in Alfalfa, residents are encouraged to stay alert and understand Oregon’s three emergency evacuation levels to protect themselves, their property, and first responders.
Understanding Evacuation Levels
Oregon’s emergency evacuation levels are designated as Level 1: Be Ready, Level 2: Be Set, and Level 3: Go Now. These notices can change rapidly, and knowing the appropriate response is crucial for safety. Evacuation notices are issued during wildfire season when any brushfire or wildfire poses a threat to homes, property, or businesses.
Level 1, ‘Be Ready,’ indicates potential danger in an area, prompting residents to prepare an emergency plan and go-kit while remaining alert for changing conditions. Level 2, ‘Be Set,’ signifies significant danger nearby, meaning residents should be ready to leave at any moment. Those who may require extra time are advised to evacuate immediately at this stage.
The highest alert, Level 3, ‘Go Now,’ means danger is imminent, requiring immediate departure without delay for packing or preparing a home. The Sheriff’s Office emphasizes that understanding these levels helps ensure safety during fast-moving incidents.
Staying Informed with Deschutes Alerts
To help residents stay informed, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is reminding everyone in Deschutes County to sign up for Deschutes Alerts, the county’s official emergency notification system. Ben Duda, Emergency Manager for the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, explained the broad utility of the system.
“These notifications are not limited to wildfires,” Duda said. “They are used for all types of emergencies that may affect neighborhoods, workplaces, and the community, including hazardous-materials incidents, law-enforcement activity, flooding, evacuations, and more. Signing up is quick, free, and one of the most important steps you can take to stay informed during fast-moving events.”
Upon registration for Deschutes Alerts, individuals receive notifications specifically for the locations they have chosen, such as their home or workplace. Users can also add multiple locations, like those where friends or family reside, to their profile to stay updated on other areas of the county.
Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.
