Wildfire Preparedness Summit Set for April 28 at Sandy High School

By Clackamas Fire for the Sandy Standard

As communities along the Mount Hood corridor welcome spring, Clackamas Fire District will host a Wildfire Preparedness Summit on April 28 at Sandy High School from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The event will provide residents with an overview of the upcoming wildfire season and highlight the extensive preparation already underway in the Sandy area.

Sandy sits at the edge of Oregon’s wildland-urban interface, where neighborhoods meet forested foothills and wildfire risk is a constant consideration. Early indicators suggest the possibility of elevated wildfire risk during the 2026 season, making preparation an important priority.

Over the past five years, Clackamas Fire has significantly expanded its wildland firefighting capabilities and prevention work throughout the district. Firefighters regularly conduct vegetation management and fuel-reduction projects in areas where homes and forests meet, helping reduce the intensity and spread of potential wildfires. Our crews also work directly with property owners to evaluate defensible space and provide recommendations that can make homes more resilient to wildfire.

The district has also invested heavily in training and technical preparedness. Firefighters participate in advanced wildland fire training and multi-agency exercises designed to prepare for incidents in the steep terrain and dense forests surrounding Sandy. These efforts include collaboration with state and federal land managers, as well as participation in prescribed fire training and regional wildfire schools to strengthen coordination across agencies.

One of the most unique elements of Clackamas Fire’s program is Crew 30, the district’s 20-person Type 2 Initial Attack wildfire hand crew. Created following Oregon’s devastating 2020 wildfire season, Crew 30 is the first hand crew of its kind hosted by a structural fire protection agency in Oregon. The crew responds to wildfires across the state and region, constructing firelines and performing strategic operations to slow or stop advancing fires. When not deployed, the team conducts fuel-mitigation projects and wildfire preparedness work throughout the district.

The April summit will give residents an opportunity to learn about seasonal wildfire outlooks, landscape conditions, and the systems used to mobilize firefighting resources during major incidents. The program will also include practical information on how residents can prepare their homes and families through defensible space, evacuation planning, emergency alerts, and emergency supply kits.

The goal of the event is to ensure that Sandy residents understand both the wildfire risks facing the region and the extensive preparation taking place to protect local communities.

The Wildfire Preparedness Summit is free and open to the public, and Sandy-area residents are encouraged to attend.