Santiam Canyon Long Term Recovery Group is offering Defensible Space (DS) Grants, made available through funding from the Community Wildfire Risk Reduction Project of the Oregon State Fire Marshall. Eligible applicants are encouraged to apply to receive a grant for reimbursement of up to $2,420 of expenses incurred to implement the recommendations itemized on their completed Defensible Space Assessment form.

Grant Eligibility Requirements

Applicant must:

  • Be a property owner with a primary residential structure within  the following zip codes (Santiam Canyon LTRG service area):

    97384 Mehama

    97358 Lyons/Elkhorn

    97360 Mill City

    97346 Gates/Niagra

    97342 Detroit

    97350 Idanha/Marion Forks

  • Have completed DS Assessment through OSFM trained assessor with photos.

  • Have receipts for expenses incurred to implement the DS Assessment recommendations.

Steps of the Defensible Space Grant Process:

Step One: Applicant schedules site assessment.

Step Two: The applicant gets pre-approved for the Santiam Canyon Long Term Recovery Group Defensible Space Grant BEFORE implementing itemized recommendations from the Defensible Space Assessment.

Step Three: Applicant implements the recommendation(s) from their assessment checklist.

Step Four: Applicant submits the associated receipts via website upload or email to Santiam Canyon Long Term Recovery Group for reimbursement.

Step Five: The application is reviewed by the Santiam Canyon Long Term Recovery Group Board.

Have questions?  Need assistance?  Please email info@santiamrecovery.org!

Step 1

schedule your site assessment.

  • Follow the link below to register for your Defensible Space Assessment with the Oregon State Fire Marshall Assessment Tool.

  • Schedule and complete the Defensible Space Assessment by the Oregon State Fire Marshall-trained assessor.

Step 2

Get pre-approved for the Santiam Canyon Long Term Recovery Group Defensible Space Grant BEFORE implementing itemized recommendations from Defensible Space Assessment by completing the form below.

After your site assessment, please complete your application inclusive of your site assessor’s recommendations.

*Please note, this step CANNOT be completed until your site assessment has been completed.

Step 3

Applicant implements approved Defensible Space Assessment recommendations from their assessment checklist.

Applicant must retain all relevant receipts and/or number of labor hours to be eligible for reimbursement.

Step 4

Applicant submits the associated receipts via website upload or email to Santiam Canyon Long Term Recovery Group for reimbursement.

Applicant completes Santiam Canyon Long Term Recovery Group Defensible Space Grant Application.

  • Enter name and  Application ID number (found in pre-application approval email).

  • Attach digital copies of receipts to the application.

  • Attach “after defensible space implementation” photos to the application,

  • Submit application.

Step 5

application is reviewed by the Santiam Canyon Ltrg board.

  • The Assessor or LTRG Recovery Manager will visit the site to evaluate implementation. Receipts submitted for reimbursement will be confirmed during the site visit.

  • The Assessor or LTRG Recovery Manager submits a recommendation to approve or deny a grant application to the LTRG Board.

  • Application is reviewed by LTRG Board of Directors.

  • The applicant is notified via email of grant award decision.

Special Thanks to:

Let’s make the canyon Wildfire resistant!

Wildfire does not engulf everything in its path.

What are the primary threats to homes and communities during a wildfire?

Research around home destruction vs. home survival in wildfires point to embers and small flames as the main way that the majority of homes ignite in wildfires. Embers are burning pieces of airborne wood and/or vegetation that can be carried more than a mile through the wind can cause spot fires and ignite homes, debris and other objects.

There are methods for homeowners to prepare their homes to withstand ember attacks and minimize the likelihood of flames or surface fire touching the home or any attachments. Experiments, models and post-fire studies have shown homes ignite due to the condition of the home and everything around it, up to 200’ from the foundation. This is called the Home Ignition Zone (HIZ).

Learn more about how wildfires spread and ignite home in our online course Understanding the Wildfire Threat to Homes. An overview of fire history, fire basics, and how homes burn.