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Ashland tackles wildfire response By TONY BOOM A New York Times article last May named Ashland and Missoula, Mont., as likely spots for wildfires like the one that devastated Los Alamos, N.M., last year. In all three towns, homes are next to the forest�s edge. The attention sparked officials into action in an attempt to educate homeowners on the deadly threat lurking at their back doors. On Thursday night a forum will examine both preventive measures and responses in the event of a wildfire. Sponsored by a consortium of organizations, the forum runs from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Stevenson Union�s Rogue River Room at Southern Oregon University. A study by SOU�s REAL Corps showed some 461 homes in a portion of the 1,200-acre border between the town and the forested watershed. City and park lands comprise the rest of the border. "We decided on a community issues forum to educate folks about what we live in and to get people up to speed as quickly as possible about how to make homes more safe," said Mary Pat Parker of Ashland�s Chamber of Commerce, a forum sponsor and consortium participant. The consortium formed last fall in response to the newspaper article. "It looks like fire season is going to start early and last longer," said Ashland fire Chief Keith Woodley, referring to statistics that show low rainfall and snowpacks for the current water year. Woodley and other participants want residents to consider how a fire in the watershed or on the edge of town would affect the entire city. A fire could compromise city water supplies. "It�s not just an above-the-boulevard issue," said Woodley. "The potential exists where you have an unbroken continuity of wildfire fuels." Woodley said Lithia Park, Rocca Canyon, Hamilton Creek and even areas on lower Oak Street have the potential for wildfires. Both Woodley and Councilwoman Cate Hartzell said that the city has made significant efforts to reduce wildfire fuel on its property. "One of the gaps clearly missing was addressing private lands in the interface" between the city and the watershed, said Hartzell. Federal money may aid with some of the fuel reduction effort. Congress approved funding after last year�s wildfire season that will be distributed through fire districts, municipalities and other groups in Jackson and Josephine counties. About $212,000 is available for homeowners. "We tried to identify where we already had existing organizations that could implement the program," said Jim Wolf, fire prevention planner for the Oregon Department of Forestry�s Southwest District. Fuel reduction immediately around homes is the grant�s top priority. Secondary priority will go to access points, such as heavily brushed roads where fires could easily spread or cut off evacuation routes. Wolf expects to receive 12 grant applications. An interagency group will review them Friday. Wolf said there is a high likelihood that Ashland will get some of the money. Woodley said the city would use grant money to treat 73 acres identified as high priority. They are in northwest Ashland and above Lithia Park. The city will administer the funds after a plan is developed for each parcel. Either contractors or homeowners could perform the work. SOU�s REAL Corps program will be at the forum, along with private contractors who perform fuel reduction work. REAL Corps, a group of SOU students learning about managing public lands, has cleared both city and private land in Ashland, but is already booked with work projects through the summer. Neighborhood Community Emergency Response Teams have met with city officials to learn about evacuation procedures, said Woodley. Team members will go around their neighborhoods to discuss the procedures and would help organize an evacuation. At the forum, participants will hear from a panel of experts, meet with neighbors to develop strategies for their areas and go from table to table to talk to private contractors, agencies representatives and city officials. Reach Ashland bureau reporter Tony Boom at 482-4651, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.