Living in Sunriver, Sunriver Style Upper Deschutes River Communities (UDRC) provides communication and outreach services to community residents, public land agencies, state of Oregon, Deschutes County, and community partners. Activities include community information meetings and assistance programs focused on protection of neighborhoods from wildfires. UDRC promotes and assists homeowners to become “fire wise” by creating defensible space on their property. Defensible space is creating a zero to 100 foot fire-resistant buffer around the home to reduce the spread of fire and potential of embers igniting the home. Residents are encouraged to remove flammable vegetation around their home and under nearby trees. Pruning trees away from the roof and other vegetation will reduce “ladder fuel” during a wildfire. Over time it is important to maintain defensible space. Simple home hardening projects will reduce the potential for wildfire embers entering the home. UDRC provides grant funds for low-income senior homeowners and reimbursements for other property owners south and west of Sunriver to create and maintain wildfire defensible space. Since formation in 2004, the UDRC has invested over $700,000 for wildfire defensible space and educational programs. Visit the website www.udrc.org to learn more about fire adapted communities, healthy forests, river flows, and wildlife habitat. Upper Deschutes River Communities Photo by Kristine Thomas 2025-26 | SunriverChamber.com115
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