The Ashland Walking Tours For Wildfire Safety Input Concludes

ASHLAND, Ore.- The last of two walking tours through the Ashland Watershed discussing the future of wildfire hazards ended October 24, the first tour being on October 22.

Ashland Fire and Rescue asked community members for their input on wildfire safety as they were checking out the dead and dying trees. These trees being near homes and at the base of the watershed are major concerns for the city of Ashland, especially with how important the watershed is.

“That is the city’s source of drinking water,” said Chris Chambers of Ashland Fire and Rescue, “It has a lot of other amenities, wildlife habitat, great recreation, but that key value for the city of Ashland is our drinking water”.

With the help of community members, the Ashland Forestlands Committee and Ashland Fire and Rescue are developing a plan to reduce future costs and help the forest become more adapted to climate change. The biggest problem they’re facing; the mass die-offs of Douglas Fir trees. The problem is so prominent, scientists are calling it the Douglas Fir Decline Spiral. The Ashland Forestlands Committee hopes to safely dispose of these dead trees and replace them with stronger and more adaptable species.

October 25, an open house and public meeting discussing the plan in detail will be held at Fire Station #2 in Ashland from 7-8:30 pm.

For more information, go to ashland.or.us/forestplan