Sisters company reduces wildfire risk

Living in Sisters, we know there will be snow every winter and wildfires every summer. While most fires are extinguished before they threaten homes, disaster can - and does - strike.

There are steps that concerned homeowners can take, including utilizing the services of Running Tree, LLC, specialists in wildfire damage risk reduction.

Owned and operated by the father and son team of Kirk and Eric Metzger, the business works with homeowners, businesses and the government. With over 50 years' combined experience in forestry and wildland fire fighting, the Metzgers come prepared with extensive knowledge and prevention techniques.

Kirk retired from the Forest Service in Sisters as a Battalion Chief in 2006, after a 34-year career. He spent the next two summers in Nepal volunteering with local non-profit TenFriends to bring medical supplies to remote villages in the mountain regions. Trekking up to 19,000 feet in altitude up to 21 days at a stretch was how he started off his retirement years.

Erik has spent his summers fighting fires for the Forest Service and his winters on the Ski Patrol at Hoodoo Mountain Resort. The opportunity to purchase the existing Running Tree business arose in July of 2008 and the fit seemed right for both men. The two had only worked on a fire together once before, but have spent many days outdoors as climbing partners and knew that they would work well together.

When consulting with a customer, the team looks at the issue from the perspective of a fire fighter, Erik said.

"We make recommendations based on our wildfire fighting experience. If a fire was coming right now, what would be the first issue a fire fighter would have to deal with to save this home."

They also utilize the extensive guidelines put forth by National Fire Protection Agency and the State Fire Marshall. The never-ending battle with pine needles Central Oregon residents face is the first thing that always needs to be addressed. Kirk and Erik also focus on reducing the canopy density of trees near structures and the removal of highly flammable vegetation and the replacement with more fire resistant varieties.

"We look at the topography and the slope aspect of the property in association with the ground and ladder fuels present" said Kirk "It isn't necessary for people to have a completely dirt doughnut around their home, but there are steps that should be taken."

The property in question is not the only factor that Running Tree has to consider. The Metzgers also take into account the fire history for the area, any prescribed burns that have taken place, and the condition of the forest. Kirk is able to call upon his experience supervising the local hazardous fuel reduction program in the wildland/urban interface for this information.

"Insect disease, the number of dead trees on the ground, and the fuel load for an area are big considerations" said Kirk. "We can't control the weather. The wind, the humidity, and the temperature all align each summer to produce wildfires."

The limited governmental resources dedicated to fire fighting is also a consideration for the fire season, which typically runs June through September. If your home has a defensible space and triage procedures are in effect, the firefighters are more likely to attempt to save your home. For more information visit http://www.firewise.org and http://www.runningtreellc.com or contact Running Tree at (541) 410-6666.