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Fire danger at forefront of concern By AMBER FOSSEN Ashland Daily Tidings Fire officials are asking city residents to help control sources of ignition during this extreme fire season. In early spring, fire officials urged homeowners to remove brush, limbs and other fuels in preparation for the fire season. Now, however, removing burnables creates potential hazards and fire officials say residents should shift toward controlling ignitable substances. "There's a need for change in perspectives on the part of our citizens regarding fire danger," Ashland Fire and Rescue Chief Keith Woodley said. "Now we're in extreme fire danger so our attention goes to controlling sources of ignition. Property owner activity such as trying to cut grass or trying to remove brush is more hazardous than leaving it there." According to Woodley, the shift coincides with the weather. His staff changed its emphasis from removal to prevention on June 1. Fire restrictions currently prohibit the use of chain saws, campfires, vehicles on unimproved roads and spark emitting equipment to reduce fire potential. Woodley said the main cause of summer fires is human activity. "With the exception of lightning, 100 percent of fires are caused by inappropriate human activity," he said. In August 2002, AFR responded to a double house fire in the Oak Knoll neighborhood. The fire - which caused more than $400,000 in damage between the two homes - was caused by spontaneous heating of vegetation clippings stored near one of the homes. Bagging up grass clippings or other organic yard material could lead to spontaneous heating if stored in a tight container. However, it is possible to maintain landscape without contributing to fire danger. Lisa Black, recycling coordinator for Ashland Sanitary and Recycling Service, said more than 450 Ashland residents take advantage of the Yard Debris Recycling program, which removes and recycles yard debris at Dry Creek Landfill in White City. "Last year, we brought in over 873 tons (of yard debris)," Black said. Another option for disposing of yard waste - if done properly - is composting. Claudia Law, president of Oregon Master Gardener Association and master gardener for Oregon State University Extension service, said it's important to know what can and cannot be composted. "People do not have a clear understanding of what's compostable and what's not," Law said. "Anything non-organic does not belong." Proper composting requires a mixture of air, water, and carbon and nitrogen materials. Law said combustible materials, trash and plastic should be excluded from the mix. Law said composts can become fire hazards if residents let them become too dry. It's also a good idea to keep composts away from structures or fences. Residents can learn the right way to compost through free classes provided by Ashland Sanitary and Recycling Service. The next class is scheduled from 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, August 16 at the Recycling Center on Water Street. As fire officials remain on alert, so do some Ashland residents. For Joan Ballenger, fire is a major concern. "What I'm seeing is people have really forgotten things like checking around their homes and along fences for dry materials and flammable brush," Ballenger said. A Harmony Lane resident, Ballenger knows the fire danger is real - even for inner-city residents. "We can burn up here in town," she said. "People have to have a wake-up call." Concerned resident and Ashland Community Emergency Response Team volunteer Diane Schaffer is taking fire prevention seriously by hosting a wildfire preparedness meeting in her home Sunday. Schaffer said the idea to host an informative meeting on how to prepare for and prevent fires was prompted by a CERT meeting in which AFR firefighter Rees Jones addressed ways to protect homes against fires. "We were thunderstruck at how badly prepared our neighborhood is and we're near the Watershed," Schaffer said. Schaffer hopes the meeting, which will be lead by Jones, will help her Timberline Terrace neighborhood become active in preparing and protecting their homes. She also said it will be a great way to connect with neighbors. "Other people can do this and the fire department is always delighted to send someone to come out and talk," she said. Woodley said it would be possible for other neighborhoods to host wildfire education meetings. However, he said it would need to be for a large gathering and preferably after the fire season. While it is unsafe to remove ignitable materials like small diameter trees, there are some steps area residents can take to protect themselves and their neighbors, Woodley said. Safely disposing of yard materials and clearing pine cones and needles off roofs is essential. Residents should also make sure their addresses are clearly visible and that driveways remain clear. "We need at least 10 feet of clear width but 12 feet is better," he said, noting fire engines and other response vehicles need quick access to effectively fight fires. Woodley urged residents to pay attention to fire restrictions. If residents don't abide by safe fire practices, they could end up with a hefty fine. "Fire protection agencies are going to recover costs from homeowners if it is discovered the cause was a blatant disregard for fire safety," he said. Residents interested in learning more on protecting their homes against fire can pick up "Living With Fire: A Guide for the Homeowner," at the AFR station. 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