Only the direction of the wind saved Ashland from devastation in the Almeda Drive fire. The September fire was carried by the wind away from town, instead of into it.
The city had already taken several steps to buffer itself against such an event, including the creation of a Wildfire Safety Commission to advise on fire preparation and recovery.
Kent Romney is one of the commission members; he checks in to talk about the work of the commission, the steps taken so far, and what else might be done to get Ashland ready for a fire in the heart of town.
Natalie Weber from the Oregon Department of Forestryjoins the conversation.
More links:
- Fire Adapted Ashland
- Fire Adapted (national site)