Nothing is a guarantee against wildfire in Central Oregon. But the federal government needs to correct a federal boundary error and reduce risk near homes in Crooked River Ranch. Congress should pass a bill sponsored by Rep. Greg Walden that would make that happen.

There’s a great example of the importance of creating a defensible space from the recent Graham Fire in Jefferson County. Some homes in the Three Rivers subdivision were able to escape damage, in part, because homeowners removed grass near their homes, and at least one installed a fire-proof roof. The more fire reduction work that can be done right next to homes and in the areas around them the better.

It doesn’t make homes wildfire-proof. It does lower the risk.

Near Crooked River Ranch, it’s the federal government that is falling short. About 5,000 people live in CRR. It’s all the more attractive because it is right up against the river canyon. That canyon may get a wilderness designation from Congress some day. It is now designated a wilderness study area, meaning it has some wilderness characteristics.

The wilderness study designation also creates increased wildfire risk. In wilderness areas and wilderness study areas, there are limitations on the use of motorized equipment to clear a defensible space. The wilderness study area boundaries should not extend up over the canyon rim toward homes. But they do. That boundary should be pushed back a few hundred yards to give firefighters and homes a better chance.

A bill from Walden, a Hood River Republican, to do that is expected to be up for a vote next week in Congress. The bill would not destroy protections for the canyon. It would keep families, homes and firefighters safer. Pass Walden’s bill. The federal government shouldn’t hand wildfire an assist.