April 2026 Sunriver Scene - Flipbook - Page 19
l le
ia tic
c
r
pe t a
S u
llo
u
p
Think like a PONDO this fire season
The Ponderosa pine “Pondo” is a fire-adapted tree that is native to Central Oregon and is a
primary species in the forested areas of Sunriver. This drought-tolerant tree has been living with
wildfire for centuries and has mastered the art of surviving. As fire season approaches, we can
learn a lot from the Ponderosa pine, and with a little creative thinking, mimic its strategies for
withstanding fire around our homes and properties.
1)
Pondos: High Canopies
Us: Prune Limbs
Ponderosa pine trees have adapted to let their lower branches die so that when fire sweeps through
the area, they won’t lose valuable limbs. Over time, this creates separation between the tree’s canopy
and the forest floor, eliminating the “ladder” that would turn a low, relatively cool ground fire into a
catastrophic canopy fire.
In a developed area like Sunriver, allowing fire on the landscape would be impractical and dangerous,
so we imitate this adaptation mechanically by removing live limbs on lodgepole and ponderosa pine
trees up 6-8’ from ground level and dead limbs up to 10’. Additionally, we apply this same concept of
reducing a “ladder” between built fuels (structures) and vegetative fuels (in this case, trees) by creating
5’ of clearance between any conifer branch and any structure.
2) Pondos: Drop Dead Needles
Us: Clean Debris
Every year in the fall (and throughout the year as well) Ponderosa pines drop excess needles in order
to maintain less fine fuels in their canopies. Ponderosa pine needles are clustered at the ends of their
branches, as opposed to other conifers such as spruce that have needles all along their branches, from
trunk to tips. Similarly, we must manage needles around our structures, as well.
Removing accumulated needles and other vegetative debris from gutters, roofs, any corners or
cavities in our structures, on or underneath decks, and anywhere within the 5’ “Immediate Zone”
of structures (or any accumulation of vegetative debris elsewhere on the property) serves the same
purpose for us as it does for the ponderosa. These piles of dead and dry needles, branches, or other debris are the perfect fire starters in the event of an ember shower. On a day with high enough winds,
embers have been found to travel for miles ahead of a fire, but this is only problematic if there are
fuel beds for the embers to ignite.
At the same time, eliminating needles from our properties completely is not necessary. Just as the
ponderosa strategically maintains some needles, needles can serve us if they are in the “right” place.
A layer of needles covering the forest floor acts as a natural mulch, keeping moisture in the soil and
holding down dust. With the adequate fuel break of 5’ between branches and structure, green needles
in the trees can act as an “ember screen.” A healthy forest canopy overall provides shade which brings
temperatures down, keeping fire at bay.
3) Pondos: Low Understory
Us: Remove Shrubs & Seedlings
A healthy, mature ponderosa pine stand that has welcomed the presence of ground fires usually has
very little understory. The understory is often composed of mostly bunchgrasses and some shrubs in
open areas not directly under trees’ driplines. This, once again, reduces the ladder fuels that would
take flames up into the tree’s canopy.
We can recreate this forest composition by mechanically removing overgrown understory. In
particular, bitterbrush, manzanita and introduced juniper are highly flammable shrubs that we
can remove from underneath driplines of trees, away from structures and reduce density in open
areas. Many young trees (known as seedlings), would also be eliminated in a fire-adapted forest.
The Sunriver Ladder Fuels Reduction (LFR) Plan requires the removal of seedlings to achieve
6-8’ spacing and beneath the canopy of larger pine trees, prioritizing retaining ponderosas over
lodgepoles. Refer to the Ladder Fuels Self-Assessment on page 21 to ensure that your vegetation
management strategy is thorough and complies with the Sunriver LFR Plan.
How to remove limbs or branches?
1.
2.
3.
Cut one-third of the
way through the
branch on the
underside.
Go 2-4 inches beyond
the undercut to
remove the branch.
Make the final cut
just outside the
branch bark ridge
and trunk collar.
Small
Branch
Large
Branch
3
2
1
Your comprehensive guide to ladder fuels reduction
The Sunriver Ladder Fuels Reduction (LFR) Plan is your go-to
resource for information about our community’s mandatory
standards for vegetation and fuels management.
Scan the code above or visit:
sunriverowners.org/lfr
Bunchgrasses are fire-adapted too!
When it comes to landscaping, as Oregon State Fire Marshal Fire
Risk Reduction Specialist Heather Miller always says, “Your yard
does not have to be a moonscape.” We can have vegetation as
part of our landscapes, but we have to be strategic like the
bunchgrasses. Bunchgrasses grow in clumps, with spaces
between them that create miniature fuel breaks. Consider
vegetation islands and isolated garden beds in your yard, rather
than consistent, widespread shrubbery or bark mulch. Or,
simply enjoy the native vegetation - embrace the
bunchgrasses that are already present on your
property. Make sure to consult with the SROA
Community Development Department when
making changes to your landscape.
Continue on page 22
APRIL 2026 SUNRIVER SCENE
Page 19
