Benton And Lincoln Counties Launch Wildfire Awareness Month Campaign (Photo) - 05/04/26

BENTON & LINCOLN COUNTIES, Ore. — May is Wildfire Awareness Month, and Benton and Lincoln counties are partnering to launch a coordinated campaign encouraging residents to take steps now to prevent wildfires and prepare their homes and families.

With current conditions across Oregon, fire experts are predicting a potentially difficult wildfire season. Local officials say early action and community awareness are critical to reducing risk and protecting lives, property and natural resources.

The campaign brings together the counties leadership, emergency management and public health to share information and resources throughout May.

“Wildfire doesn’t recognize county lines,” said Lincoln County Emergency Manager Samantha Buckley. “Working together allows us to better serve and protect our communities across the region.”

“Preparedness starts before fire season begins,” said Benton County Emergency Manager Bryan Lee. “The steps we take today can help protect lives, homes and our communities.”

Benton and Lincoln County commissioners support the campaign and emphasize the importance of regional coordination in addressing wildfire risk.

“Wildfire preparedness is a priority for our counties,” said Benton County Public Information Officer Anne Thwaits. “We are proud to partner with Lincoln County to provide clear, coordinated information that helps keep our communities safe.”

Throughout May, the campaign will highlight key topics including wildfire prevention, home preparedness, smoke and air quality, and evacuation planning, especially for vulnerable populations.

Residents are encouraged to take action now by learning more and preparing ahead of wildfire season. Staying informed during wildfire season is also critical. Residents in both counties are encouraged to sign up for local emergency alerts and follow official county channels for real-time updates, evacuation notices and safety information.

• Benton County residents can sign up for emergency alerts at: https://sheriff.bentoncountyor.gov/linn-benton-alert/
• Lincoln County residents can sign up for alerts at: https://oralert.gov/

Residents are encouraged to take action now by learning more and preparing ahead of wildfire season. Resources are available from Oregon partners. These resources include guidance on creating defensible space, preventing human-caused fires, preparing a go-kit, understanding smoke impacts and planning for evacuations.

Prevention & Preparedness

Keep Oregon Green

• Wildfire prevention tips: Prevent Wildfires - Keep Oregon Green

Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM)

• Defensible space & home hardening: Oregon State Fire Marshal : Wildfire in Oregon
• Wildfire risk reduction: Oregon State Fire Marshal : Prevent Wildfires

Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF)

• Fire season restrictions & prevention: Oregon Department of Forestry : Fire

Oregon Health Authority (OHA)

• Wildfire smoke & health: Oregon Health Authority : Wildfires and Smoke : Get Prepared

Oregon Emergency Management (OEM)

• Emergency preparedness (go kits, evacuation):
  • Oregon Department of Emergency Management : Wildfires
  • Oregon Department of Emergency Management : Be 2 Weeks Ready

Media contacts:

• Benton County: Cory Grogan, Public Information Officer, cory.grogan@bentonountyor.gov
• Lincoln County: Samantha Buckley, Emergency Manager, sbuckley@co.lincoln.or.us

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SPANISH

PARA PUBLICACIÓN INMEDIATA

4 de mayo, 2026

Los condados de Benton y Lincoln lanzan la campaña del Mes de Crear Conciencia sobre los Incendios Forestales

CONDADOS DE BENTON Y LINCOLN, Oregón — Mayo es el Mes de Crear Conciencia sobre los Incendios Forestales y los condados de Benton y Lincoln se han asociado para lanzar una campaña coordinada que invite a los habitantes a tomar medidas desde ahora para prevenir incendios forestales y preparar a sus hogares y familias.

Dadas las condiciones actuales en todo Oregón, los expertos en incendios pronostican una temporada de incendios forestales potencialmente difícil. Las autoridades locales afirman que la acción temprana y la concientización comunitaria son fundamentales para reducir el riesgo y proteger vidas, propiedades y recursos naturales. La campaña reúne a los líderes de los condados, a los equipos de manejo de emergencias y a las autoridades de salud pública para compartir información y recursos a lo largo del mes de mayo.

“Los incendios forestales no reconocen las fronteras entre condados”, declaró Samantha Buckley, Gerente de Emergencias del Condado de Lincoln. “Trabajar juntos nos permite servir y proteger mejor a nuestras comunidades en toda la región”. “La preparación comienza antes de que inicie la temporada de incendios”, señaló Bryan Lee, Gerente de Emergencias del Condado de Benton. “Las medidas que tomemos hoy pueden ayudar a proteger vidas, hogares y a nuestras comunidades”. Los comisionados de los condados de Benton y Lincoln respaldan la campaña y destacan la importancia de la coordinación regional para atender el riesgo de incendios forestales.

“La preparación ante incendios forestales es una prioridad para nuestros condados», afirmó Anne Thwaits, Oficial de Información Pública del Condado de Benton. «Nos enorgullece colaborar con el Condado de Lincoln para proporcionar información clara y coordinada que ayude a mantener a nuestras comunidades a salvo”.

A lo largo del mes de mayo, la campaña destacará temas clave, tales como la prevención de incendios forestales, la preparación del hogar, la calidad del aire y el impacto del humo, así como la planificación de evacuaciones, especialmente para las poblaciones vulnerables.

Se invita a los habitantes a actuar ahora, informándose más a fondo y preparándose con anticipación a la temporada de incendios forestales. Mantenerse informado durante dicha temporada es también fundamental. Se invita a los habitantes de ambos condados a inscribirse para recibir alertas de emergencia locales y a seguir los canales oficiales de sus respectivos condados para obtener actualizaciones en tiempo real, avisos de evacuación e información de seguridad.

• Los habitantes del Condado de Benton pueden inscribirse para recibir alertas de emergencia en: https://sheriff.bentoncountyor.gov/linn-benton-alert/
• Los habitantes del Condado de Lincoln pueden inscribirse para recibir alertas en: https://oralert.gov/

Se invita a los habitantes a actuar ahora, informándose más a fondo y preparándose con anticipación a la temporada de incendios forestales. Hay recursos disponibles a través de las organizaciones colaboradoras de Oregón. Estos recursos incluyen orientaciones sobre cómo crear un «espacio defendible», prevenir incendios provocados por el ser humano, preparar un kit de emergencia, comprender los efectos del humo y planificar las evacuaciones.

Prevención y Preparación

Mantenga a Oregón verde

• Consejos para la prevención de incendios forestales: Prevenga los incendios forestales - Mantenga a Oregón verde

Jefe de Bomberos del Estado de Oregón (OSFM por sus siglas en inglés)

• Espacio defendible y refuerzo del hogar: Jefe de Bomberos del Estado de Oregón : Incendios forestales en Oregón
• Reducción del riesgo de incendios forestales: Jefe de Bomberos del Estado de Oregón : Prevenga los incendios forestales

Departamento Forestal de Oregón (ODF por sus siglas en inglés)

• Restricciones y prevención durante la temporada de incendios: Departamento Forestal de Oregón : Incendios

Autoridad de Salud de Oregón (OHA por sus siglas en inglés)

• Humo de incendios forestales y salud: Autoridad Salud de Oregón : Incendios forestales y humo : Prepárese

Manejo de Emergencias de Oregón (OEM por sus siglas en inglés)

• Preparación para emergencias (kits de evacuación de emergencia): Departamento de Gestión de Emergencias de Oregón : Incendios forestales   
• Departamento de Manejo de Emergencias de Oregón : Prepárese para 2 semanas regon

Contactos para los medios:

• Condado de Benton: Cory Grogan, Oficial de Información Pública, cory.grogan@bentonountyor.gov

Smoke fills the skies in Salem at the Capitol Mall. (Oregon Department of Transportation photo)

SP: El humo llena los cielos en Salem, en la Plaza del Capitolio. (Foto del Departamento de Transporte de Oregón)

ODOT Crews work to reopen OR 18 between U.S. 101 and Rose Lodge in Lincoln County, Sept. 2020. (Oregon Department of Transportation photo)

SP: Equipos del Departamento de Transporte de Oregón (ODOT por sus siglas en inglés) trabajan para reabrir la OR 18 entre la U.S. 101 y Rose Lodge, en el Condado de Lincoln, septiembre de 2020. (Foto del Departamento de Transporte de Oregón)

Fall Creek Road Fire - Helicopter Pouring Water over the Fire - July 30, 2018 (Lincoln County Emergency Management photo)

SP: Incendio de Fall Creek Road — Helicóptero arrojando agua sobre el fuego — 30 de julio de 2018 (Foto de Manejo de Emergencias del Condado de Lincoln)

Mental Health Awareness Month In Benton County (Photo) - 05/01/26

* Español a continuación *

Mental health challenges can affect anyone. The Benton County Crisis Center is here to help.

Benton County is celebrating Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to promote open conversations about mental health. Throughout May, the Benton County Health Department (BCHD) will host, co-host, sponsor and participate in various events and initiatives to raise awareness, encourage self-care, and connect people with resources.

This year’s theme for Mental Health Awareness Month is “See the Person. Support the Journey,” a reminder that mental health is part of everyday life. Benton County is highlighting the importance of noticing early signs of mental health concerns, strengthening the support around us, and responding with care and compassion during challenging moments.

In honor of the nationally recognized month, the Benton County Board of Commissioners will publicly proclaim Mental Health Awareness Month in Benton County on Tuesday, May 5 at 9:00 a.m. Find meeting details and read the proclamation on the Board of Commissioners Meeting Portal.

Benton County Crisis Center

This recognition coincides with the expansion of hours coming this June at the new Benton County Crisis Center located at 240 NW 4^th Street on the corner of 4^th and Van Buren streets in downtown Corvallis.

“We’re excited to expand our hours at the Crisis Center starting June 1,” said Hailey Clark, Crisis & Forensics Program Manager for Benton County Behavioral Health. “This is something the community has been waiting for, and we’re happy to get one step closer to the overall vision of the Crisis Center. The new hours will increase access to walk-in services outside of just the standard 8-5 model. We will continue expanding access as we’re able to hire more staff for additional shifts.”

Starting June 1, Benton County Crisis Center will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Anyone can drop in and ask for services to get connected to the mental health support they need. No appointment is required.

Community members can still access Benton County Crisis Services at all hours of the day, any day by calling 888-232-7192 to reach an on-call crisis counselor. Additional 24/7/365 crisis services include the 988 National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and the National Crisis Text Line.

Learn more about the Benton County Crisis Center by visiting their website.

Celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month in Benton County

The community is invited to make their mark on the new Benton County Crisis Center by contributing their positive mental health messages to community-made paper chains that will decorate the lobby of the Crisis Center. Materials will be available at the following community events: Wildfire Readiness Fair, LBCC’s Springfest, Boys and Girls Club Family Night, Mental Health First Aid Training, Lincoln Elementary Carnival, Monroe Festival, Corvallis Spring Roll, and Get Outdoors Day.

Details for all Mental Health Month events:

• May 1–30: Mental Health Awareness Month social media campaign. Follow BCHD on Facebook and Nextdoor for free mental health resources and education.
• May 2: Wildfire Readiness Fair
• May 5: Mental Health Awareness Month Proclamation
• May 5–June 6: Mental Health Awareness Month Art Show
• May 12: LBCC's Springfest: Clubs and Resource Fair
• May 14: Boys and Girls Club Family Night
• May 15: Free Mental Health First Aid Training
• May 15: OCWCOG’s free Emergency Preparedness Workshop
• May 16: Lincoln Elementary Carnival 
• May 16: Monroe Festival
• May 17: Corvallis Spring Roll
• May 30: Get Outdoors Day

The Health Department encourages community members to participate in these activities and engage in conversations about mental health. Organizations that are interested in mental health trainings for their staff and communities should contact BentonHealthyCommunities@bentoncountyor.gov to inquire.

For more information about mental health resources in Benton County, visit their About Behavioral Health webpage.

Benton County Health Department

The Benton County Health Department is committed to protecting the health and well-being of everyone who lives in, works in, or visits Benton County. The Benton County Health Department focuses on preventing health problems before they occur. Their programs strive to create community conditions that help reduce health disparities, so all people have an equal chance for a long and healthy life.

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Benton County is an Equal Opportunity-Affirmative Action employer and does not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission or access to our programs, services, activities, hiring and employment practices. This document is available in alternative formats and languages upon request. Please contact the Public Information Office at 541-766-6800 or pioinfo@bentoncountyor.gov

Corvallis Wildfire Readiness Fair Set For May 2 To Help Community Prepare For Fire Season (Photo) - 04/30/26

May is Wildfire Awareness Month. The City of Corvallis and partner agencies invite community members to attend the free Corvallis Wildfire Readiness Fair on Saturday, May 2, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Corvallis Community Center.

This drop-in event will provide practical information to help residents prepare for wildfire season. Topics will include home evacuation planning, creating defensible space, and building go-bags. Attendees can also connect with local responders, explore preparedness resources, and learn ways to reduce wildfire risk at home.

The fair comes as local and regional partners continue coordinating preparedness efforts ahead of wildfire season, including public education, emergency planning and community outreach. Benton County will also team with Lincoln County in May for a regional Wildfire Preparedness Month campaign focused on prevention, readiness and public health.

“With wildfire season approaching, preparedness starts at home,” said Sierra Anderson. “The Wildfire Readiness Fair is a great opportunity for community members to learn simple steps they can take now to protect their families, homes and neighborhoods.”

No registration is required. Community members are welcome to stop by at any time during the event.

For more information, visit the Corvallis Wildfire Readiness Fair page.

Event Details

What: Corvallis Wildfire Readiness Fair
When: Saturday, May 2, 2026, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Corvallis Community Center
Cost: Free and open to the public

Spring Stampede Showcases All-girls Rodeo And Benton County Tradition (Photo) - 04/29/26

Growing Habitat, One Yard At A Time: Nature Neighbors Takes Root In Benton County (Photo) - 04/28/26

In neighborhoods across Benton County, a quiet transformation is about to begin. It’s one that starts with as little as 50 square feet of soil and a willingness to try something new.

Nature Neighbors, a partnership of the Greenbelt Land Trust and the Benton Soil and Water Preservation District, is a new program in Benton County to help residents turn everyday spaces into thriving habitat for pollinators, birds and other wildlife. Through hands-on guidance, small grants and community support, the program empowers people to make meaningful environmental change where they live.

 

For Sara Roberts, the program is both a professional project and a personal mission.

 

Roberts, a community engagement coordinator with Benton Soil and Water Preservation District, leads outreach efforts that include public-facing programs, K-12 field trips and one-on-one support for property owners. At the heart of that work  is a simple idea: anyone can help wildlife, regardless of how much space they have.

 

“People don’t need a large property to make a difference,” Roberts said. “This program shows that even a small plot can create valuable habitat connections across neighborhoods and, ultimately, larger-scale wildlife corridors.”

 

The program also reflects a broader vision from Greenbelt Land Trust to connect people, land and wildlife across the region.

 

“Greenbelt Land Trust is co-launching Nature Neighbors with the Benton Soil and Water Conservation District, a demonstration of the strong partnership between these two organizations that goes back decades. Greenbelt sees collaborations as the key to successful conservation,” said Jessica McDonald, Greenbelt Land Trust executive director. “By jointly stewarding this emerging community program, we are leveraging the strengths of both organizations and building a program that is lasting.”

 

McDonald said even small actions taken by individual households can have a meaningful impact at a larger scale.

 

“Even a small native habitat can make a big difference for wildlife,” she said. “By transforming urban spaces, even micro yards, into flourishing mini native habitats, we are creating habitat stepping stones that traverse our communities, enabling wildlife to move, adapt and thrive.”

 

The Nature Neighbors program focuses on replacing invasive plants with native species, improving soil health and building landscapes that are more resilient to drought and wildfire. Participants receive guidance through a step-by-step certification process that includes site visits, a habitat handbook and personalized recommendations. Those who complete the program earn a yard sign recognizing their contribution to local habitat.

 

And the effort goes beyond plants.

 

Roberts said residents can incorporate features like birdhouses, water sources and pollinator habitat while learning how to make their spaces more supportive for wildlife overall.

 

Equity is also a key part of the program’s design. Mini scholarships and small grants help offset the cost of plants and tools, ensuring more people can participate.

 

“For those who need assistance, a volunteer cohort including students from Oregon State University can help with installation and maintenance, making the program more accessible to older adults and others who may not be able to do the work themselves,” she said.

 

Roberts said the idea for a program like this has been years in the making.

 

“When I first got into native plant gardening, there just wasn’t much support,” she said. “I remember doing all the research on my own and wishing something like this existed. This community has a strong culture of people who want to be a part of a growing habitat movement. We just needed a way to provide the right resources.”

 

Michael Ahr, executive director for Benton Soil and Water Conservation District, said the program is an opportunity to get more community members involved in practical, hands-on conservation work.

 

“We’ve spent a lot of time working with private landowners on larger properties,” Ahr said. “Nature Neighbors gives us a chance to engage smaller property owners in that same work, especially when it comes to controlling non-native species and improving habitat.When more property owners take part, the benefits add up across the community.”

 

Nature Neighbors builds on successful models across Oregon, including the Backyard Habitat Certification Program in the Portland metro area, and similar efforts in Marion, Polk, Lane and Yamhill counties. Now, Benton County is bringing that approach to its own communities, with a focus on local needs and partnerships.

 

For Benton County Sustainability Coordination Jennifer Brown, the program aligns closely with broader County goals that prioritize sustainability.

 

“The Nature Neighbors program helps people preserve and create habitat for pollinators, birds and other wildlife,” Brown said. “This program gives community members a meaningful way to make a difference.”

 

That impact extends beyond individual yards. By encouraging native plantings and better land stewardship, the program supports stormwater management, biodiversity and climate resilience across the County.

 

“It’s going to take us all to preserve what we have,” Brown added.

 

Community members interested in getting involved can enroll in the program and learn more at the Nature Neighbors website. An upcoming public information session on April 29 will offer a chance to explore how to get started and connect with program partners.

 

As more residents take part, the vision is simple but powerful: a patchwork of small, intentional spaces can grow together into something much larger.The path to healthier ecosystems can start right outside the front door.

 

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PHOTO CAPTIONS

 

A before and after view of a small habitat project at a suburban home in Philomath. The lawn and weeds were smothered by wood chips before adding native plants. Photo credit: Sara Roberts 

 

Students at Mountain View Elementary created this pollinator garden with funding from Benton SWCD, bringing beauty and biodiversity to a previously-bare sidewalk strip. Photo Credit: Nancy Tovar

 

Sara Roberts at her own native wildflower garden.

 

Insect “hotels”, such as this one at Chintimini Wildlife Center, provide abundant habitat for a number of species of pollinators and other bugs, and are easy to build. Photo credit: Sara Roberts