Klamath Falls, Oregon – The wildfire safety message in Klamath Falls will soon have a new look, and this time it will come from the hands and imagination of local children.
The South Central Oregon Fire Management Partnership, known as SCOFMP, has announced this year’s Fire Prevention Poster winners, celebrating young students who used art to share a serious message: preventing wildfires starts with awareness, care and action. The annual effort brought together schools, teachers, families and community partners in a bright display of creativity tied to public safety.
This year’s Overall Grand Champion is Sawyer H. from Roosevelt Elementary. Jaxon O. from Conger Elementary earned Overall 2nd Place, while Isadora L. from Roosevelt Elementary was named Overall 3rd Place winner.
The contest drew strong participation across the area. In all, 34 classes submitted around 500 posters from county, city, private and home schools. Each drawing carried its own voice, but the message behind the artwork was shared: Oregon’s communities and landscapes are worth protecting.
The winning posters will not stay tucked away in a classroom or folder. The top three pieces will be displayed on Fire Prevention Billboards around Klamath Falls for a full year. Three billboards across town have already helped keep wildfire prevention in public view, and the artwork will soon switch to the newly selected 2026 winners.
For many residents, those billboards are more than decoration. They are reminders seen during daily drives, school runs and errands. A child’s drawing can catch the eye in a way a warning sign sometimes cannot. It can slow people down, even for a moment, and bring the fire prevention message closer to home.
SCOFMP offered a large congratulations to the students who “went above and beyond in promoting wildfire safety, community awareness, and prevention efforts,” noting that their dedication helps protect communities and landscapes. The partnership also thanked everyone who participated, supported the contest and helped spread fire prevention messages throughout the year.
Special thanks were also shared for the 3rd graders, teachers and cooperative partners who helped make the effort possible. “Your creativity and commitment make a real difference,” the announcement said.
The program also received support from Keep Oregon Green, which continues to sponsor and promote wildfire prevention education across the state. Its support helped turn classroom artwork into a public message that will stay visible long after the contest ends.
