Prevent wildfire at home and on the go | PEMCO

Pacific Northwest wildland firefighters rank among the world’s best. Still, they’d tell you that wildfire prevention beats intervention any day. 

Studies show that most wildfires are preventable. In 2025, only 37% of wildfires were started by lightning. The rest, 63%, were started – most often, unintentionally – by people, according to the U.S. Forest Service. (More on the causes below.) 

Whether nature or negligence fuels the wildfire worries in your area, wildfire-prevention choices like these can dramatically reduce your risk at home and on the go:  

Prevent wildfires when camping, working outdoors 

In Oregon, debris burning (yard and timber waste) topped the list among human-caused fires last year, according to the Oregon Department of Forestry. Next was faulty equipment (like spark-throwing tow chains, mowers, and chainsaws). Recreation (out-of-control campfires, fireworks) rounded out the top three. The Department of Natural Resources notes similar wildfire causes in Washington and Idaho. 

Here’s how to make sure you’re never part of the wildfire problem: 

• Check updated fire danger risks before you camp or work. In Washington, see the Department of Natural Resources for burn-ban information. In Oregon, check Oregon.gov. Local fire districts are a great resource, too. 
• Keep campfires contained, small, and far from combustibles. If your campsite doesn’t have a fire ring, look for a wind-sheltered, level spot that’s at least 15 feet from tents, branches, or anything that can burn. Clear dry twigs, leaves, or needles within an eight- to 10-foot radius so they can’t ignite from a flying spark. Keep fires small – no more than two feet across. Before you leave, douse the fire with water and stir until the embers are cool. Here’s more on campfire safety.  
• Compost or recycle yard waste rather than burning. If you do burn, wait for a windless day and keep a hose and fire extinguisher nearby. 
• Be spark-smart with farm and garden equipment. Don’t mow over rocks that could create a spark. Keep tow chains short enough that they don’t drag and spark. Never fuel equipment while it’s running and avoid spills. Use string trimmers instead of weed burners to maintain borders. Use only outdoor-rated extension cords. Here’s more on garden-equipment safety.  

Stay safe(r) around fireworks  

We love professional fireworks shows as a safe alternative to DIY displays. Fireworks mishaps, according to the National Fire Protection Association, send approximately 9,000 Americans to the emergency room and cause 32,000 fires each year.  

If you do use fireworks: 

• Light away from homes and wooded areas. Even though you’re lighting fireworks legally, you could be held liable for damage if someone gets hurt or you start a fire. 
• Keep a hose and bucket nearby. Quick action can keep a small fire from spreading.  
• Light and run. Never light more than one firework at a time, and once the fuse catches, back away quickly. Always light on a smooth, stable surface. 
• Wear eye protection and never lean over to check a dud or try to relight it.  
• Don’t allow kids to handle fireworks. Sparklers burn at 2,000 degrees and can cause severe burns. 

To protect your home and property from errant neighborhood fireworks: 

• Turn on sprinklers to soak your landscape. Spray down your roof and decks.  
• Clear gutters of dry leaves and needles. 
• Park cars in the garage so paint can’t be marred by hot falling debris. Cover firewood stacks and upholstered patio furniture with fire-resistant tarps.  

Defensive moves to protect your home over time  

While few of us can afford a top-to-bottom wildfire-prevention retrofit for our homes, we can chip away it, making fire-resistant choices whenever we replace and remodel: 

• Roofing. Look for Class A fire-rated materials, which can include certain asphalt shingles, fiberglass, and metal roofing as well as tile and concrete choices.  
• Siding. Fiber-cement siding (a mix of cement and cellulose fibers), stucco, and brick or stone veneers resist fire better than wood. 
• Windows. Switch from single- to double-pane windows or install fire-resistant shutters. Replace dome-style plastic skylights, which melt under high heat. 
• Decks. Instead of simply replacing an old wooden deck, switch to fire-resistant composite decking made of wood fibers and plastic. 
• Landscaping. Interrupt a fire’s burn path with ornamental dry creek beds and ponds, pumice and gravel ground covering, and gravel driveways. Replace flammable arborvitae hedges. 
• Automated sprinkler system. Keep your lawn watered (30-foot firebreak around your home) even when you’re on vacation.  

Learn more about staying safe in fire season 

Wildfire safety comes down to a mix of planning, preparation, and prevention. To learn more about all three, see PEMCO’s wildfire blog. And if you have questions about your PEMCO policy, talk with your local PEMCO agent or call 1-800-GO-PEMCO.