Keep Oregon Green Association

Keep Oregon Green Association Promoting healthy landscapes and safe communities by educating the public of everyone's shared responsibility to prevent human-caused wildfires.
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Keep Washington Green was formed in February of 1940, to combat the growing number of catastrophic fires in the Pacific Northwest. The program idea quickly spread to other states, and they began implementing their own brand of wildfire prevention advertising campaigns under the 'Keep Green' banner. Edmund Hayes, of Row River Lumber Co., brought the idea down to Oregon. By mid-summer of 1940, a mod

est program was perfected by John Woods, Sr., of the Oregon Forest Fire Association. On April 28, 1941, after public outcry over the human-caused Tillamook Burns of 1933 and 1939, Gov. Charles Sprague called together 200 prominent Oregon leaders for a dinner and discussion to initiate the Keep Oregon Green campaign. A General Committee of 65 people was formed, comprised of members from public and private protection agencies, as well as timber owners, farm interests and others to advise and lead the KOG campaign. Following the dinner, members of the General Committee met and appointed an eight-man executive committee and discussed ways and means of making the campaign effective. This committee determined policy, generated ideas, and directed a full-time, paid executive secretary (John Woods) to manage the KOG program. Until the early spring of 1942, KOG's program operations were based out of the Oregon Forest Fire Association office in Portland. In 1942, Richard Kuehner, a top 4-H club extension agent from Lane County, was hired on a full-time basis as executive secretary. The KOG office was moved to the State Forestry building in Salem, and Kuehner launched a full-scale program. He promptly recruited 65 prominent and influential people, known as the 'General Committee', to lend their names to the wildfire prevention cause. An individual from each of Oregon's 36 counties was appointed as 'county chairman'. This chairman appointed a local committee to work within his/her county. These county committees were regional factories of ideas and, through them, KOG material was funneled directly to the public. Influential leaders in journalism were also appointed to state-wide Newspaper and Radio Committees. These committees served as a liaison between KOG and the entire news industry. Each spring KOG met with radio station newscasters, and program and station managers, to map out a campaign for the year. KOGs work was the top public service activity of the Oregon radio industry, bringing national recognition to at least 4 stations, and national awards in competition with other stations across the US. Kuehner was best known for initiating the Oregon Green Guard program for youth- activities and projects that could be taken on by individuals or groups of Boy and Girl Scouts, Campfire Girls, 4-H clubs, FFA, schools and communities. The main purpose of the Oregon Green Guard was to incentivize youth to help remove the fuels around their farms houses and outbuildings, and help prevent wildfires. They earned merit badges and other awards for their prevention efforts. The response to the Oregon Green Guard was so immediate and tremendous, the Salem office became deluged with applications to process, posters and fire prevention material to mail out, and were quickly running out of funds to keep up with demand. They quit actively marketing the program, and publicized only the statewide essay and poster contests. In 1948, Albert Wiesendanger, District Ranger for the U.S. Forest Service, took an early retirement from the Mount Hood National Forest and served as executive secretary for KOG. He successfully operated and maintained enthusiastic support of the program until 1980. From 1980 to 2001, John Mingus served as President of the Association. Mingus created many successful partnerships with Oregon's colleges and professional sports teams. He created our KOG mud flaps, and he provided bookmarks (with fire prevention messages) to every library in the state for distribution to children. He established a KOG east-side and west side fire school that trained young high school students to fight fire. Students were required to take an entrance exam at their school on OSHA fire safety training, ICS, tool identification and fire management terminology. Success on the final exam allowed students to apply for a scholarship certificate for fire school.

Submit your art today!
11/03/2025

Submit your art today!

Keep Oregon Green is launching its second billboard art contest. Oregon will become an open-air art gallery during the 2026 fire season, showcasing winning entries on billboards at major intersecti…

DEADLINE EXTENDED: Submit your artwork for the KOG Billboard Contest by Monday, November 3 @ 5pm. Entry form and directi...
10/31/2025

DEADLINE EXTENDED: Submit your artwork for the KOG Billboard Contest by Monday, November 3 @ 5pm. Entry form and directions can be found here: https://keeporegongreen.org/kog-billboard-contest/

1st Place Division Winner – $250
2nd Place Division Winner – $200
3rd Place Division Winner – $150

Keep Oregon Green is launching its second billboard art contest. Oregon will become an open-air art gallery during the 2026 fire season, showcasing winning entries on billboards at major intersecti…

Yaaaaay! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
10/18/2025

Yaaaaay! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

As of today, all Oregon Department of Forestry districts have terminated fire restrictions, marking the end of the 2025 Oregon fire season declaration.

The end of fire season removes ODF imposed fire restrictions on ODF-protected lands. However, many structural fire departments in Oregon still require a permit for debris burning, and slash burning requires a permit year-round, so check with your local fire department or ODF office before starting a burn.

Read more at https://odffire.com/2025/10/17/fall-weather-brings-the-end-of-fire-season-for-oregon/

10/02/2025

We're just as excited as you are that the rains are returning. We know Fire Season may be coming to a close, but no, we do not know when. Open burning remains prohibited until the conditions to end Fire Season are met.

10/01/2025

RESTRICTIONS DECREASE FOR PUBLIC AND INDUSTRY

DFPA NEWS RELEASE: Effective at 2:01 p.m. today, Monday, September 29, 2025, Public Use Restriction Levels will change to LOW for all private, county, state, and Bureau of Indian Affairs lands within the Douglas District. This change imposes certain fire restrictions on the public to help prevent wildfires. The IFPL (Industrial Fire Precaution Level) levels will decrease to LEVEL 1 within the Douglas Forest Protection District, in regulated use area(s), and all forestland within one-eighth mile, including lands within the Roseburg District BLM.

IFPL (Industrial Fire Precaution Level) levels within the Douglas Forest Protection District will change to IFPL LEVEL 1, in regulated use area (s) DG-1, DG-2, UA-1, UA-2, and all forestland within one-eighth mile thereof.

What does this change mean to the public?

Non-industrial power saw usage, cutting, grinding, or welding of metal, cutting, trimming, or mowing of dried, cured grass, and power-driven machinery for non-industrial improvement or development on private property is allowed ALL DAY.

Off-Road Driving Allowed with Landowner Permission for Motor Vehicles, including motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles, are only allowed on improved roads free of flammable vegetation, except for cultivating and harvesting agricultural crops. In addition, each passenger vehicle traveling on forestlands, except on state highways, county roads, and driveways, must have an axe, a shovel, and one gallon of water or a 2 ½ pound or larger ABC fire extinguisher. ATVs must have a 2 ½ pound or larger ABC fire extinguisher.

What restrictions does IFPL1, Industrial Fire Precaution Level 1, place on industries?

Under Industrial Fire Precaution Level 1, the use of fire or power-driven machinery in any operation area is unlawful unless such use is in compliance with the following:
All applicable fire prevention requirements of ORS Chapter 477 and OAR Chapter 629 Divisions 41 to 43.

Debris Burning- including debris piles and burn barrels, remains PROHIBITED at all times.

For more information, visit www.dfpa.net or call the office at (541) 672-6507.

10/01/2025
09/28/2025

🌧️ Next week is going to be wet and windy as low pressure in the Pacific brings multiple rounds of rain!

Here are the chances for receiving 1 inch or more of rain in a 48 hour period from Mon, 9/29 to Wed, 10/1. Make sure to clear your gutters and secure loose items!

Daaaaaang!
09/27/2025

Daaaaaang!

🌡️Did this summer feel hot to you? Well, you would be right, especially if you account for the last 114 years of record keeping. Check that utility bill for September compared to last year. 👀

🚨Medford ranked 5th for average Max Temperature (Top 10 image below) and 4th for Average Temperature (overall average of max/min).

This would be from June 21st to Sep 21st which is the astronomical summer.

09/25/2025

Archery hunters have been active in the woods since September 1st, and rifle hunting will begin on October 4th. As the nights become colder, it marks the end of bow season and the approach of rifle season, prompting hunters to camp in the woods or have warming fires.

Hunters often build fires to keep warm in the early mornings and at night, but do not always ensure that the fires are completely extinguished. Many leave the warming fire behind in the morning, unaware that the fire still retains heat.

Our message to hunters is to please check if campfires are allowed in the area where you are camping. Ensure warming firres are set in a suitable location, clear of vegetation, and always fully extinguished before leaving them unattended. They still will retain heat. With the afternoon heat, sun, and wind, the fire rekindles and escapes. Property gets burned, and we will have to respond.

Anxious for that season-ending rain event! Until then, cover that pile and wait until fire season is over.
09/24/2025

Anxious for that season-ending rain event! Until then, cover that pile and wait until fire season is over.

Though the weather is shifting, there has not been a season ending event yet and fuels remain extremely dry. Continue to cover your debris pile and DO NOT burn debris until fall wetting rains return and restrictions are lifted.

09/22/2025

Summer has officially turned to fall, 🍂🍁but the hot summer weather conditions are still with us this week. No matter what 'camp' you are in, Smokey, Benny and The Duck want to make sure your campfires and gas-powered equipment don't spark a wildfire this fall. 🏈

Check out Oregon's new fall collection-- available outdoors now.
09/22/2025

Check out Oregon's new fall collection-- available outdoors now.

Address

PO Box 12365
Salem, OR
97309

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+15039457498

Website

http://www.kogranger.org/

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Our Story

Keep Oregon Green owes its roots to a campaign idea originally concieved in Klamath County. The Keep Klamath Green slogan was first used in 1939 to fight fires with publicity. The slogan spread to Chambers of Commerce and professional forestry gatherings but it didn’t gain much traction beyond the region.

Colonel W. B Greeley, a forester from Washington, was haunted by man-caused fires. He developed a plan with WA Governor Clarence Martin to meet with industry leaders and officials in Olympia- key men in fire protection and forestry. They looked to a Junior Forest Warden Program as a good fire prevention idea that should be maintained for the youth of the state, but should incorporate all of the general public into the picture to ensure full effectiveness of a public education program.

Keep Washington Green was formed in February of 1940, to combat the growing number of catastrophic fires in the Pacific Northwest. The program idea quickly spread to other states, and they began implementing their own brand of wildfire prevention advertising campaigns under the 'Keep Green' banner. Edmund Hayes, of Row River Lumber Co., brought the idea down to Oregon. By mid-summer of 1940, a modest program was perfected by John Woods, Sr., of the Oregon Forest Fire Association. On April 28, 1941, after public outcry over the human-caused Tillamook Burns of 1933 and 1939, Gov. Charles Sprague called together 250 prominent Oregon leaders for a dinner and discussion to initiate the Keep Oregon Green campaign. A General Committee of 65 people was formed, comprised of members from public and private protection agencies, as well as timber owners, farm interests and others to advise and lead the KOG campaign. Following the dinner, members of the General Committee met and appointed an eight-man executive committee and discussed ways and means of making the campaign effective. This committee determined policy, generated ideas, and directed a full-time, paid executive secretary (John Woods) to manage the KOG program. Until the early spring of 1942, KOG's program operations were based out of the Oregon Forest Fire Association office in Portland. In 1942, Richard Kuehner, a top 4-H club extension agent from Lane County, was hired on a full-time basis as executive secretary. The KOG office was moved to the State Forestry building in Salem, and Kuehner launched a full-scale program. He promptly recruited individuals from each of Oregon's 36 counties who were appointed as a 'county chairman'. The chairman appointed a local committee to work within his/her county. These county committees were regional factories of ideas and, through them, KOG material was funneled directly to the public. Influential leaders in journalism were also appointed to state-wide Newspaper and Radio Committees. These committees served as a liaison between KOG and the entire news industry. Each spring KOG met with radio station newscasters, and program and station managers, to map out a campaign for the year. KOGs work was the top public service activity of the Oregon radio industry, bringing national recognition to at least 4 stations, and national awards in competition with other stations across the US. Kuehner was best known for initiating the Oregon Green Guard program for youth- activities and projects that could be taken on by individuals or groups of Boy and Girl Scouts, Campfire Girls, 4-H clubs, FFA, schools and communities. The main purpose of the Oregon Green Guard was to incentivize youth to help remove the fuels around their farms houses and outbuildings, and help prevent wildfires. They earned merit badges and other awards for their prevention efforts. The response to the Oregon Green Guard was so immediate and tremendous, the Salem office became deluged with applications to process, posters and fire prevention material to mail out, and were quickly running out of funds to keep up with demand. They quit actively marketing the program, and publicized only the statewide essay and poster contests. In 1948, Albert Wiesendanger, District Ranger for the U.S. Forest Service, took an early retirement from the Mount Hood National Forest and served as executive secretary for KOG. He successfully operated and maintained enthusiastic support of the program until 1980. From 1980 to 2001, John Mingus served as executive secretary of the Association. Mingus created many successful partnerships with Oregon's colleges and professional sports teams. He created the KOG mud flaps, and he established a KOG east-side and west side fire school that trained young high school students to fight fire. Students were required to take an entrance exam at their school on OSHA fire safety training, ICS, tool identification and fire management terminology. Success on the final exam allowed students to apply for a scholarship certificate for fire school.

In 2003, Mary Ellen Holly served as president and CEO of Keep Oregon Green until her retirement in December, 2013. Mary Ellen created the KOG Ranger Program, an on-line educational program for youth, ages 8-12. Mary Ellen was also instrumental in working with ODOT to place KOG roadsigns all over the state of Oregon.