The Upper Deschutes River Communities (UDRC) will help property owners within the La Pine Rural Fire Protection District with the cost of creating or maintaining defensible space for wildfire risk reduction. The UDRC will reimburse your expenses for UDRC approved contractors and rental equipment up to $500 maximum. If you did not receive a reimbursement in 2025 or 2026, one application from property owners will be accepted for the Fall program for work after August 1 and completed by December 15, 2026. Visit Apply for Programs to access the online application form.
UDRC Low-income Senior or Disabled Defensible Space Program
The Low-income Defensible Space program is open for new applications. UDRC has partnered with Council on Aging of Central Oregon to provide free wildfire fuels reduction services for low-income senior or low-income disabled homeowners within the La Pine Rural Fire Protection District.
Click here for a printable flyer describing the program. Click here to print the mail-in application form. You can request an application form by calling 541-815-1362. A representative from UDRC will assess your property and propose a fuels reduction project to improve your defensible space for a wildfire.
Deschutes County 2026 Fall Fuel Reduction Grant Program
The 2026 Fall Fuel Reduction Grant Program will be open September 1 – 30, 2026 for applications. Deschutes County will have funding available for community fuel reduction and defensible space projects. Financial awards will likely range from $1,000-5,000. Priority will be given to pending, new and existing Firewise Communities. Awards will be announced by mid-October 2026.
From Risk to Ready Demonstration Project
The Newberry Regional Partnership (NRP) released “From Risk to Ready: A Newberry Country Defensible Space Story,” a short documentary highlighting local efforts to reduce wildfire risk through education, hands-on action, and neighbor-to-neighbor collaboration. The Defensible Space Action Team (DSAT) was featured in the film and was produced by Weiss Productions LLC in partnership with NRP.
The film, produced in connection with the successful Newberry Country Wildfire Preparedness Demonstration Day held on May 30, 2026, follows homeowners, fire professionals, foresters, volunteers, and DSAT members as they transform a high-risk property and empower the community.
Watch the full documentary here:
vimeo.com/1199812396.
UDRC 2026 2nd Quarter Board Meeting Minutes
Attendees: Glenna, Jim, Dean, Dave, Les
Date: July 8, 2026
Requests from Board members to discuss during the meeting
- Dean requested we talk about assessors and capacity
- Dave requested we talk about progress on documenting roles and responsibilities
Glenna/Jim response was they would include these issues during the regular course of the meeting and agenda proposed.
Financials:
- Balance Sheet and P/L are both “on track” as is the Statement of Activities. These documents are used to generate federal Form 990e which is the tax document for the year. Form 990e is posted on the UDRC website
- One of our largest grants comes from Deschutes County and they are satisfied with the reporting that is being done.
- We discussed highlighting areas of interest or of concern for those of us who are not versed in reviewing financial statements. Glenna will investigate.
Defensible Space Programs:
- Contractors for UDRC defensible space programs are required to apply for federal SAM registration which once granted issues an Unique Entity ID code. Any contractor working government funded programs and on behalf of UDRC must have this UEI code. Currently 12 contractors have this code.
- Low-income Senior program
- Involves a formal assessment from representatives trained by UDRC
- 29 applications granted; 14 are completed and paid, 9 are out to contractors or in process, 2 have been rejected, 2 others cancelled, and 2 wanted to participate but during the assessment process no work was found that needed done.
- Applications are still being taken as there are still funds available. We have added two new assessors (in addition to the 5 currently trained) and would like to add one more. Jim is taking the lead on this.
- The assessment form needs a couple of minor changes/improvements. Les and Dean both commented that they like the current form especially where they have space for explanations.
- Reimbursement program
- Applications go quickly. All applications available during the last open enrollment period were granted within the first 24 hours. A total of 43 applications; 25 of those applications have been reimbursed and considered closed. For those who do not get their invoices to UDRC (for reimbursement) by the next open enrollment will be cancelled and the funds allocated will be returned to the pool of available money. The next open enrollment for this program opens on Aug. 1st.
- Dave requested a listing of those who have received benefit from UDRC. Likely a good pool of people who might be interested in volunteering with UDRC or perhaps becoming an assessor. Jim will get the list sent to Dave.
- Three requirements are checked with each new application.
- Did not benefit from the program last year
- Only one grant per homeowner
- That the property is within the Lapine fire district
Process & Procedures:
- In order to help off load the work currently being done by Jim and Glenna they want to create a set of documents that explain all the necessary steps they take to make the programs run; a set of “how to’s” if you will. Should make the process more transferable to someone new. This is a large undertaking in addition to the work they are already doing. The hope is they have them ready this year.
- Jim is working on Defensible Space Program procedures
- Glenna is working on the Low-income Senior Program
Submitted by Dave Frank, UDRC Secretary
