Urban wildfire: How Portland is prepared, and what you can do

As firefighters battle the Los Angeles wildfires, Portlanders are asking: could an urban wildfire happen here? The answer is yes. As wildfires become more frequent west of the Cascades, we have to be prepared for the possibility of wildfires in Portland.

Responding to wildfires requires teaming up with agencies around the greater Portland region. The Portland Bureau of Emergency Management plays a central role in coordinating that effort from the City of Portland's Emergency Operations Center, where multiple agencies gather during an activation to streamline decision-making and operations.

“Our city works hard to prepare for disasters like wildfire,” says Mayor Keith Wilson. “We plan, we train, and we are constantly learning along with our partners. But our most important partners are the people of Portland. Disasters happen. Take steps to prepare yourself and keep our city strong and resilient.”

Learn about Portland’s preparations for wildfire and how you can keep yourself, your family, and your property safe.

Know what to do

Accurate, up-to-date information helps you make smart decisions when there’s a high risk of wildfire. Sign up for PublicAlerts to get alerts based on your location. 

PublicAlerts is the region’s opt-in emergency alerting system for getting phone, text, and email alerts. The website also provides helpful information about:

PDX 311 is your connection to local government. Dial 3-1-1 or email 311@portlandoregon.gov, available 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week. Get your questions answered, request services, or report issues. During emergencies, connect with PDX 311 to:

211 is your connection to social services, 24 hours a day. Dial 2-1-1 or visit 211 to find local assistance and disaster recovery centers and to learn about transportation options.

Dial 9-1-1 for situations involving an immediate threat to life or property happening now. 9-1-1 call takers can dispatch emergency responders such as police, fire, emergency medical services, and Portland Street Response. 

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Connect with your neighbors

In the event of a citywide disaster such as an urban wildfire, households need to be prepared to be on their own for at least a week. Neighborhoods need to be prepared for self-sufficiency, too.

Neighborhood Emergency Teams (NETs) are Portland residents who provide emergency planning and assistance within their own neighborhoods. These volunteers are trained to save lives and property until professional responders can arrive. They are specially trained to help others without putting themselves in harm’s way. They will likely be first on the scene when firefighters and police are slowed by impassable streets or overwhelmed by calls for help.

There are 87 Neighborhood Emergency Teams in Portland. Sign up to become a NET volunteer.

Talk to your neighbors. Ask what they’re doing to prepare for any emergency. 

Stock up on water

Start your preparations with water. The Portland Water Bureau recommends storing 14 gallons of emergency water for each person in your household. Learn how to build your emergency water supply here. 

We maintain around 14,500 hydrants and over 200 million gallons of in-town water storage. During a large-scale fire, dramatic changes in water flow or damage to the water system could impact the availability or quality of drinking water. Everyone should be prepared for a sudden water disruption. 

We partner with the U.S. Forest Service and local fire agencies to protect the Bull Run Watershed (our primary drinking water source) from wildfires, such as the Camp Creek Fire in 2023.

We are also building a new filtration facility that will improve our ability to treat Bull Run water following a major fire. We recently mixed wildfire ash with water to study how the filtration process could remove ash from our water.  

Make a “Go” kit

Make a list and put it in priority order. Focus on the things that will keep you alive, like water, food, medications, medical supplies, warmth, and sanitation. Check out these tips on making an emergency kit. Since we all have different needs, everyone's emergency kit will look a little different. 

Defend your space

If you live in or near a wildfire hazard zone, prepare by planning ahead. Portland Fire & Rescue has good information on creating a defensible space. You can ask for an expert to visit and suggest ways to harden your home against wildfire by signing up for a wildland-urban interface assessment.

We live in an urban forest

Portland’s urban forest includes over 220,000 street trees and 1.2 million park trees. Portland Parks & Recreation's Urban Forestry Team are on call 24/7 to respond to tree emergencies on City property and public roads.

Our Portland Park Rangers focus on park safety. During a fire, rangers assist park visitors with evacuation, guide visitors to safety, maintain order, and provide vital information for the community. They also collaborate with emergency services to secure park areas and help contain the situation. 

Keep the streets clear

Portland Bureau of Transportation recommends that you move your cars off the streets to create space for fire trucks and other emergency vehicles to move through quickly and safely.

Building resilience

Make your home more resilient to urban wildfire with resources on fire-resistant construction and landscaping from Portland Permitting & Development. Improvements include roof coverings, safer siding for walls, heat-resistant windows, decks and fire safety, fire-rated outside doors, landscape planning, emergency planning, and more.

The Bureau of Planning and Sustainability partnered with 11 city bureaus to develop the Climate Emergency Workplan which outlines priority actions that must be taken to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. These actions address the most pressing needs of the climate crisis and build resilience for Portlanders. 

What if you’re unsheltered?

During dangerous and life-threatening situations, outreach teams from Portland Solutions and other city and county agencies work together to reach vulnerable populations, such as people who are unsheltered.

To connect with social services and get the latest information, call 2-1-1 or visit 211info.org. They can help with:

• Housing
• Shelter
• Basic needs
• Transportation
• Disaster services

When the smoke clears