Since the 2020 Almeda Fire, Ashland residents have been on notice: Wildfires are a threat to the community’s character, safety and economy. To that end, the City of Ashland secured funds through the USDA Forest Service in 2023 to rewrite the 2004 Ashland Community Wildfire Protection Plan, or CWPP.
After a year and half of community input, surveys, working groups and research the CWPP is ready for feedback! Reflecting on the escalating wildfire situation over the past decade and more, the CWPP lays out a bold and critical vision to protect the things we love about our community.
Using cutting edge technology and science, the plan proposes that all properties are ready for the next major fire within a decade’s time. The Ashland City Council will be voting in May 2025, on a previously supported Wildfire Risk Reduction fee that will establish base-level funding to leverage outside dollars and begin to accomplish goals set out in the CWPP as soon as the plan is approved this coming summer.
Chris Chambers has worked on wildfire issues at Ashland Fire & Rescue since 2002, said, “We are facing a huge challenge in that our town is no longer compatible with our surroundings and climate. Though we’ve done a lot in managing our forests and open spaces, we need to rapidly accelerate our work to ready the community itself for future fires. No one thought we could accomplish what we did in a decade to reduce fire risk in the Ashland Watershed, but we did it. Now we have to focus on our homes, businesses and all the institutions that make Ashland so special. I grew up here and my kids are growing up here, this is a special place that we all want to protect and preserve. This is an opportunity to build and sustain a safe and thriving community. We can do this, and we have to do this because the alternatives are all too horrible to think about. Everyone has a role to play, and you will be called on to be part of this collaborative work.”
A CWPP Open House is being held on Sunday, May 4 at The Grove, 1195 East Main St. The Open House runs from 2 to 5 p.m. and people can visit at any point during that time. City staff, volunteers and community partners will be on hand to talk about various aspects of the CWPP.
The CWPP document and a GIS StoryMap* of the plan can be found at ashlandoregon.gov/CWPP. We hope to hear from you! You can give feedback during the Open House or online between Friday, May 2 and Monday, June 2, 2025.
*StoryMaps combine maps, images, videos and text to convey compelling geographic stories and insights.
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