Wildfire

Use battery-powered radios (e.g., 1700 AM) and keep a landline phone if possible. Install NOAA weather radios with SAME alerts.

Yes. Both refer to the same evacuation zone, formatted differently depending on the system (e.g., Zonehaven or Jackson Alerts).

Local law enforcement and fire officials will issue real-time evacuation orders based on fire behavior and road conditions. Direction depends on the fire’s location and wind direction.

This gate is controlled by the Oregon Dept of Transportation (ODOT) or emergency services and opened only under specific orders. There is no public access schedule.

They should prearrange transportation in advance with neighbors. During emergencies, buses or vans may be deployed to assist.

Yes, through 211info and Jackson County’s Access and Functional Needs registry. The Rogue Valley Council of Governments (RVCOG) maintains a “Disaster Registry” for persons who need special help in an emergency. This information is shared with fire, police, health, and rescue workers. Being on the Disaster Registry does not guarantee that you’ll get help first in a disaster.

Residents of Ashland can sign up for Community Connect — a free, secure, and easy to use platform that allows you to share critical information about your household or business. This critical information will aid emergency response personnel when responding to your location. By providing information about your household or business that you feel is important for us to know about at the time of an emergency, we can ensure you and everything you care about is protected to the best of our ability.

Resources: Jackson County Program – https://readyjacksonco.com/, RVCOG Disaster Registry – https://rvcog.org/home/sds-2/emergency-preparedness/disaster-registry/, Ashland’s Community
Connect Program – https://www.communityconnect.io/info/or-ashland

Contact Jackson County Emergency Management or local animal shelters such as Southern Oregon Humane Society.

Each school has an emergency plan, coordinated with Ashland Fire & Rescue. Parents should review plans through school communications.

Yes, facing out, with keys inside and fuel tank at least half full.

Wonderful. We love answering questions with the resident present on-site, so they are better informed and motivated to take specific actions. To request a wildfire
risk assessment: https://www.defensiblespacereport.org/ashland/address/requestCode

Thank you for expressing interest in learning more about venting materials.

There are a number of venting options that are more expensive than the 1/8” non-corrosive metal mesh that we mentioned in the presentation. Two excellent options are Vulcan vents with intumescent coating that expands and seals the vents when exposed to heat and another are Brandguard vents that have a baffle design and are made of fire-resistant materials.

Resource: Wildfire Research Fact Sheet: https://ashlandoregon.gov/DocumentCenter/View/734/Attic-and-Crawl-Space-Vents-PDF?bidId=

Replacing an old wood deck can be expensive. Unfortunately, no spray or paint can make it fireproof. However, a well-painted deck is less likely to ignite than raw, exposed wood. While wood stains don’t protect against fire, they can help slow down wood decay. If the deck wood isn’t rotten, you can reduce fire risk with a few key steps:

• Keep the deck surface clean and free of debris.
• Clear fine material from between the boards.
• Replace the deck board that touches the house with a non-combustible material like aluminum.
• Most importantly, remove all debris from beneath the deck—most decks catch fire from below.
• When it comes time to replace the deck, install metal flashing between the ledger board and joists to protect combustible siding and rebuild using fire-resistant materials (see references).

If your deck is elevated, it’s easier to keep the underside clean. For low decks (under 30-inches), install 1/8- to 1/4-inch metal mesh around the base and stairs. Bury the mesh a few inches into the soil. Since weeds can still grow under the deck, leave an access panel so you can remove weeds from under the deck as needed.

Resources: https://ashlandoregon.gov/DocumentCenter/View/738/Decks-PDF, https://ashlandoregon.gov/DocumentCenter/View/737/Deck-Connections-PDF, https://ashlandoregon.gov/DocumentCenter/View/736/Coatings-PDF

During a wildfire, thousands of embers can land around your home, so the first 5 feet should be made of non-combustible materials such as concrete, pavers, rock, or decomposed granite. To keep the base of the will siding from igniting, you also need to establish a minimum of 6 inches of vertical clearance between the ground surface and the base of the wall—including fiber cement (Hardie board) and stucco siding.

Solid surfaces—like concrete or pavers—offer the highest level of protection because they leave no gaps for embers or debris to accumulate. Gravel is non- combustible, but it can trap leaves and pine needles, so it is hard to keep consistently clear of fine combustible debris.

Avoid bark mulch, wood chips, and other organic mulches within 10 feet of your home. Do not use shredded rubber as mulch because it is highly flammable, burns extremely hot, and is toxic to soil organisms.

One option close to the house is to sparsely plant low-growing succulents or bulbs in isolated clumps.  The plant cluster should not be grown under an eave and be a minimum of 2 feet from the wall of a building and surrounded by non-combustible stone, pavers, dirt or gravel. Containerized low-flammability plants placed on hard surfaces several feet from the building is another option.

Resources: https://ashlandoregon.gov/FireAdapted, Quarles, S. & Smith, E. (2004): The Combustibility of Landscape Mulches (Extension Publication SP1104), University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, and City of Ashland flyer: https:/ ashlandoregon.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3791/AFR-Mulch-Handout_updated2025, City of Ashland Watch the Real Dirt on Dirt Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_woVSrJGII

The area closest to your home—especially within the first 5 feet—is the most critical for fire protection. Ideally, this zone should have no plants at all. If plants are used, they should be extremely low-risk: small, non-invasive, succulent (have thick juicy leaves) varieties or bulbs that grow no taller than 1-foot when mature. Dead plant parts need to be removed regularly.

Avoid evergreen shrubs, trees, ornamental grasses, and vines within 5 feet of any structure. Evergreen trees and shrubs, ornamental grasses and vines should not be allowed to grow within 10 feet of a window.

Avoid planting “Ashland Prohibited Flammable Plants” which includes certain grasses, shrubs, and trees. Note that this list will be revised in 2026, so stay tuned!

Resources: https://ashlandoregon.gov/323/Prohibited-Flammable-Plants

If you live in a small urban lot or have only 5–10 feet between homes, your options for fire resistant landscaping are limited—but not impossible. The most important step is to remove highly flammable plants from these areas, such as dwarf conifers, junipers, bamboo, rosemary, lavender, ornamental grasses, and climbing vines.

While it’s safest to keep the 0–5 foot zone plant-free, some homeowners choose to include plants for aesthetic or practical reasons. If you do, follow strict guidelines: select only small, non-invasive, fire- resistant plants (like succulents, iris, or lilies) under 1 foot tall. Consider confining them to non-combustible containers (such as ceramic or metal), remove dead material regularly, and keep all plants well-watered.

Focus on reducing fine fuels near your home and use hardscaping (like gravel, pavers, or stone) to reduce ignition risk while preserving visual appeal and breaking up planted areas. With careful selection and diligent maintenance, even small spaces can have beautiful plants and be fire-resilient.

Resource: Best Practices for Fire-resistant Landscaping – https://ashlandoregon.gov/919/ Best-Practices-for- Fire-Resistant-Landsc

All plants can burn under the right conditions—no plant is truly fireproof. Choosing species from a “fire- resistant plants list” doesn’t guarantee home safety.

The most important factors are where you place plants, how you space them, and how well you maintain them. Prioritize fire-reluctant or ignition-resistant plants and always pair smart plant choices with good maintenance practices.

Some plants are especially hazardous because they ignite easily or burn intensely due to their chemical makeup or structure. Avoid planting highly flammable “firebomb” plants on your property.

Resources: Best published plant list: extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pub/pnw-590-fire-resistant-plants-home-landscapes?reference=catalog. Note that the guide does not tell you which plants are “safe” to plant within 0-10 feet of the home.

There is no standardized testing for plant flammability, so it’s best to follow general principles: choose plants with thick leathery or succulent leaves, low resin or oil content, few stems or branches close to the ground, and don’t shed or retain/hide dead material during fire season. Since it is not easy to know which plant species cultivars have these qualities, consider using the Plant List Generator tool to make informed choices.

Resource: To help guide your plant choices, explore the Plant List Generator at LivingWithFire.org. This tool allows you to filter and generate a customized list of fire- resistant (or “fire-reluctant”) plants based on your region, plant type, and other preferences. Until the online version is fully interactive, you can download the Excel version and use it on a computer with Excel macros enabled.

Good job placing non-combustible materials around your buildings! While green, well-watered plants are less likely to ignite, placement, size, and spacing still matter. Avoid larger plants, dense plantings and ensure regular maintenance. Rocks help reduce fire risk but can collect debris—keep them clean to maintain effectiveness.

Evan Sluder from the Insurance Institute of Business and Home Safety (IBHS) provided this response: “While certain types of vegetation certainly vary in potential total heat exposure, in a structure-to- structure fire spread scenario preheating of structural fuels from surrounding combustibles is likely, therefore the fuels in zone 0 [0-5 ft of the building] are not considered in isolation. That is to say, the total exposure will likely include surrounding fuels as well as fuels in zone 0. Therefore, the strategy to prevent home ignitions includes, removing all fuels within zone 0 regardless of their potential heat load. Eliminate fuels that could provide a substantial heat exposure, ember ignition, or simply a pilot for ignition of external building materials.”

We apologize for not including examples of visually inspiring yards that are fire-resistant in the presentation. We have some examples that we are compiling to demonstrate that smaller yards can be both fire-safe and visually attractive. In addition to aesthetics, we are looking for examples of fire- resistant yards that are also deer resistant, pollinator friendly, and use little water.

Many homeowners have creatively blended beauty with safety using potted plants, hardscape, and decorative features in the 0–5 foot and 5-10 foot zones.

Resources: If you have some ideas or images to share, send them to Charisse Sydoriak at lifewithwildfire@gmail.com or Brian Hendrix at brian.hendrix@ashlandoregon.gov for review and let us know if you would be willing to make your property or photos of your property available for demonstration purposes.

It’s natural to worry, since wildfire doesn’t stop at property lines. The best first step is a respectful, neighbor-to-neighbor conversation—share what you’ve learned and what you’re doing to make your own home safer. Most people appreciate practical tips once they know the risks. Start with one or two neighbors. Model readiness. Share stories and resources—not pressure.

If conditions appear dangerous—like heavy debris, dry weeds, or stacked firewood against the house—you can contact Ashland Fire & Rescue’s Wildfire Division for guidance. Under Ashland Municipal Code 9.04.010–9.04.020, the City Fire Marshal can determine when a property presents a fire hazard and require corrective action.

Resource: https://ashland.municipal.codes/AMC/9.04

To become a Firewise USA® community, a minimum of eight residents must collaborate to assess wildfire risks in their neighborhood, develop a 3-year action plan, invest in risk reduction activities, and apply for recognition through the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). For full details and resources, visit: www.nfpa.org/firewise.

Recognition as a Firewise USA® community is an important first step—it sparks conversations among neighbors about shared wildfire risks and creates a framework for voluntary  action. However, it’s important to understand that the program sets a low threshold: it does not require individual homes to meet fire-safe construction or vegetation standards, nor does it establish a minimum level of risk reduction across a neighborhood.

In high-risk, high-density communities like Ashland, meaningful wildfire resilience requires going well beyond the baseline. The real value of Firewise USA® lies in how communities choose to use it—as a launching point to build trust, increase awareness, and work together toward stronger, more comprehensive mitigation goals.

At the current time we don’t have the capacity to coach neighborhoods through the process of becoming Fire Adapted. We do, however, expect to add capacity in the coming year via community partnerships that will significantly ramp up assistance to all property owners. Right now, the best course of action is to apply to the Wildfire Prepared Home or Wildfire Prepared Neighborhood programs at IBHS.

Resource: Wildfire Prepared Home program by Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS): https://wildfireprepared.org/

Both the Chapter 18 Land Use City Code and Oregon Building Code (Chapter R327) have been in effect since 2018 and 2021 respectively and have governed many dozens of development projects under wildfire safety rules.

Setback distances between buildings is a challenging issue as we continue to promote infill. Accessory units also meet codes for defensible space and building materials and as such, are less hazardous to neighboring structures not built to code. We need to continue to examine findings from past fires and explore innovative ways to decrease risk of an urban conflagration.

Resources: City of Ashland Land Use Ordinance (Chapter 18.3.10 – “Development Standards for Wildfire Lands”) – https://ashland.municipal.codes/LandUse/18.3.10.100, Oregon Residential Specialty Code R327 – Wildfire Hazard Mitigation – https://udrc.org/wp-content/uploads/Oregon-Code-R327.pdf

The correct species of trees can be planted, even in smaller spaces, and not compromise wildfire safety objectives. Often, trees can be pruned to meet fire code rather than removed. Deciduous trees are much less of an issue for flammability and therefore are a priority to plant and retain. At times, flammable trees will need to be removed and can sometimes be replaced by less flammable species.

As described in the CWPP, we have not been able to achieve the level of mitigation necessary to prevent an urban conflagration the likes of the Almeda Fire by using only incentive programs. Though we fully intend to offer financial and technical aid to those who can’t afford to do the needed work, we recognize that compliance and enforcement will very likely need to be employed to avoid a wildfire disaster in Ashland’s future. Funding a position to assist with compliance is in planning, though we don’t expect to need it in this biennium as funding and organizational leadership and capacity is worked out.

The city of Ashland and partner organizations do not have a formal agreement with IBHS to keep the community “up to date” as we learn more about the January 2025 Los Angles Fires. The Wildfire Prepared Home Standard reflects the latest wildfire research finding by IBHS. Our research is also released on our website, you can view the latest at Wildfire-Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety. Specific details on the LA County Wildfires can be found here: 2025 Los Angeles County Wildfires–Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety with our full research report coming soon.

There are many ways to volunteer to help the community prepare for a wildfire disaster. Consider joining or organizing a neighborhood group like Ashland Climate Collaborative, Rogue Food Unites, or another social service organization.

For Parks and recreation volunteer opportunities sponsored by the City of Ashland visit https://ashlandoregon.gov/volunteer.

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) in Ashland, Oregon trains and mobilizes volunteers to support emergency services and help neighbors prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters through community-based readiness, response, and resilience activities. To become a member of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), visit https://ashlandoregon.gov/faq.aspx?qid=139

The Ashland Wildfire Risk Assessment (WRAP) program provides free, on-site evaluations by trained volunteers to help residents identify wildfire hazards around their homes and take practical steps to reduce risk and improve neighborhood resilience.If you are interested in becoming a volunteer wildfire risk assessor, leave a message for the City’s Fire Adapted Communities Coordinator at 541-552-2231.

Yes. Smoke follows the flow of air, which changes with the time of day, terrain, and wind. During the day, warm air rises and often carries smoke uphill or up a canyon. At night, cooler air sinks and flows downhill—bringing smoke with it. Wind has the biggest impact on where the fire spreads and the movement of smoke. When there’s little wind, smoke will move with the natural flow of heated or cooled air over the landscape.

Videos of the April 21, May 14, July 15, and August 21 events are available above and on the City of Ashland ‘s website: https://ashlandoregon.gov/betterpreparedseries

A draft of the 2025 the Ashland Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) was made available for public review and comment at an Open House on May 14. The CWPP was unanimously approved by the City Council on August 19, 2025. To access the CWPP see the resource links below.

1. CWPP Story Map: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/825147188e524f64892cb6e5123a071
2. 2025 Approved CWPP: https://ashlandoregon.gov/941/Ashlands-2025-Community-Wildfire-Protect
3. CWPP Appendices: https://ashlandoregon.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3582/Ashland-CWPP-2025-Appendices

• NOAA Weather Radio — All-hazards radio network (covers fire weather warnings).
• Watch Duty — Community-powered, journalist-verified fire reporting with live scanners, maps, evacuation updates.
• ODF Fire Mapper — Oregon Department of Forestry real-time map of active fires on state- protected lands.
• InciWeb — Official U.S. Forest Service incident reporting for large fires; includes maps, updates, closures.

Resources:

• Here’s the link for the National Weather Service’s “NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards” network: https://www.weather.gov/nwr
• You can download the Watch Duty app using the Apple App Store or join using the following link: Watch Duty Join Page
• Link for real-time fire information from the Oregon Department of Forestry: https://www.oregon.gov/odf/fire/pages/firestats.aspx
• Jackson County emergency information: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/2893aed1889647f6bbadbc67892b0e4d

• https://wildfireprepared.org
• https://ashlandoregon.gov/311/Reducing-Wildfire-Risk