Ashland Adds Two Firewise Communities

Ashland Fire & Rescue proudly announces the recognition of two additional Firewise Communities, Merrill Circle and Strawberry Lane Meadows. These two neighborhoods will be formally recognized for their efforts in wildfire preparedness by posting Firewise Communities signs in the neighborhood. The street signs indicate national recognition of the community that has partnered with Ashland Fire & Rescue and the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) in the Firewise Communities program.

The National Fire Protection Association's (NFPA) Firewise Communities program encourages local solutions for wildfire safety by involving homeowners, community leaders, planners, developers, firefighters, and others in the effort to protect people and property from the risk of wildfire.

Residents of these two communities have partnered with local agencies to maintain their commonly owned open space areas free of excess woodland debris and undergrowth, and individual residents have removed fire-prone vegetation from their privately owned property. Wildfire preparedness efforts by these communities have meaningful results for adjacent Ashland residents and the uphill Ashland watershed. Ashland Fire & Rescue congratulates the residents of Strawberry Lane Meadows and Merrill Circle for taking responsibility for wildfire preparedness and partnering with local agencies in their efforts.

The Firewise Communities signs for Strawberry Lane Meadows will be unveiled Thursday, September 29th, at 3:30 PM, in a recognition ceremony for the Strawberry Lane Meadows Firewise Board and local residents. The ceremony will take place at the intersection of Strawberry Lane and Birdsong Lane in Ashland. Merrill Circle Firewise Community signs will be posted the week of September 26th at the intersection of Guthrie Street and Merrill Circle.