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Officials from local, state and federal fire protection agencies will discuss how to protect communities during a wildfire forum from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 17. The free event is at the Smullin Health Education Center, located at E. 2825 Barnett St. on the Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center campus in Medford. Officials will share their insights, experiences and recommendations for community protection. Residents can learn how firefighting agencies are preparing to defend communities as the 2019 fire season approaches, according to state Rep. Pam Marsh, D-Ashland, who called for the forum. Speakers will include Oregon Department of Forestry Southern Oregon Area Director Dave Lorenz, Oregon State Fire Marshal Jim Walker and Ashland Fire & Rescue Division Chief Chris Chambers. Attendance by Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest Supervisor Merv George is uncertain due to the federal government shutdown. Residents can hear about coordination among agencies, data used for decision-making, resources available to fight catastrophic fires and strategies to adapt to changing conditions. In September 2018, Marsh hosted a forum in Ashland that drew hundreds of local residents concerned about the economic, health and quality-of-life impacts from wildfires and persistent smoke.