The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Kicks Off Wildfire Preparedness Month With Awareness Campaign And Test Of Deschutes Alerts On May 13 (Photo)
- 05/07/26
Deschutes County, Ore. — May is Wildfire Preparedness Month, and the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Management is rolling out a community-wide awareness campaign to help residents strengthen their readiness for fire season. A key part of the effort is a countywide test of Deschutes Alerts on Wednesday, May 13, at 1:00 p.m
More than 70,000 residents are currently signed up to receive emergency notifications. The annual test helps ensure the system is functioning properly and gives residents an opportunity to confirm or update their contact information, including phone numbers, addresses, and any special assistance they may need during an evacuation
“Wildfire preparedness is a responsibility we all share,” said Deschutes County Sheriff Ty Rupert. “Taking a few minutes this month to check your alerts, understand evacuation levels, and talk through a plan with your family can make all the difference when a real emergency hits."
During the month of May, residents are encouraged to focus on a few core actions:
- Sign up for Deschutes Alerts. The county’s primary emergency notification system for evacuation notices and urgent information. Residents can customize alerts for home, work, or school. Sign up or update your profile at deschutesalerts.org.
- Understand evacuation levels. Be Ready (Level 1), Be Set (Level 2), and Go Now! (Level 3). Leaving early is the safest choice when conditions change quickly.
- Build or refresh a 72-hour kit. This should include food, water, medications, documents, pet supplies, chargers, and cold-weather clothing.
- Prepare your home and neighborhood. Create defensible space, secure heavy items, store flammables safely, and check in with neighbors who may need extra help in an emergency.
The Sheriff’s Office has a wealth of information available on its website. There, you can sign up for Deschutes Alerts and find wildfire-readiness tools, evacuation guidance, shelter information, animal-evacuation resources, and home-safety checklists.
Website Resources:
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The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Kicks Off Wildfire Preparedness Month With Awareness Campaign And Test Of Deschutes Alerts On May 13 (Photo)
- 05/07/26
Deschutes County, Ore. — May is Wildfire Preparedness Month, and the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Management is rolling out a community-wide awareness campaign to help residents strengthen their readiness for fire season. A key part of the effort is a countywide test of Deschutes Alerts on Wednesday, May 13, at 1:00 p.m
More than 70,000 residents are currently signed up to receive emergency notifications. The annual test helps ensure the system is functioning properly and gives residents an opportunity to confirm or update their contact information, including phone numbers, addresses, and any special assistance they may need during an evacuation
“Wildfire preparedness is a responsibility we all share,” said Deschutes County Sheriff Ty Rupert. “Taking a few minutes this month to check your alerts, understand evacuation levels, and talk through a plan with your family can make all the difference when a real emergency hits."
During the month of May, residents are encouraged to focus on a few core actions:
- Sign up for Deschutes Alerts. The county’s primary emergency notification system for evacuation notices and urgent information. Residents can customize alerts for home, work, or school. Sign up or update your profile at deschutesalerts.org.
- Understand evacuation levels. Be Ready (Level 1), Be Set (Level 2), and Go Now! (Level 3). Leaving early is the safest choice when conditions change quickly.
- Build or refresh a 72-hour kit. This should include food, water, medications, documents, pet supplies, chargers, and cold-weather clothing.
- Prepare your home and neighborhood. Create defensible space, secure heavy items, store flammables safely, and check in with neighbors who may need extra help in an emergency.
The Sheriff’s Office has a wealth of information available on its website. There, you can sign up for Deschutes Alerts and find wildfire-readiness tools, evacuation guidance, shelter information, animal-evacuation resources, and home-safety checklists.
Website Resources:
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