A recent quote from Brian Ballou, Fire Prevention Specialist with the Oregon Department of Forestry states:
“It is especially important during these dry years in southwest Oregon to help firefighters defend homes against wildfire. Neighbors who work together to remove potentially flammable brush, dry grass and other vegetation from around their homes, greatly increase the chance that homes will survive a wildfire.”
That is exactly what the national Firewise program was designed to accomplish and why Jacksonville, along with numerous other Jackson County communities, is embracing this effort.
During April, we have a number of activities planned to help homeowners do just that in our area.
The first event is a city-wide Firewise Awareness Day, which will take place at the Jacksonville Fire Hall, 180 N. 3rd Street on Saturday, April 18, 9:00am-Noon. Information and demonstrations will include how to create defensible space around your home, which specific plants should be removed and replaced with plants that are attractive and less flammable alternatives. You’ll have the opportunity to see exactly why some plants are so dangerous when placed near homes and proven examples of effective defensible space designs. Smokey the Bear will also be on hand to show the little ones how they can be of help, too!
The following two Saturdays will be debris collection Firewise Days. The neighbors in the Firewise certified neighborhood of Westmont will again have access to free disposal of their landscape debris on Saturday, April 25, 9:00am-2:00pm.
On Saturday, May 2nd, 9:00am-2:00pm, the soon-to-be certified neighborhood of the Gold Terrace area will have their first free debris collection day. Residents are asked to bring only landscape debris to the large disposal bins and assist our volunteers with the collection process. Plastic bags may be used to transport the debris but cannot be thrown into the dumpsters.
To learn more about Firewise and how your neighborhood can be added to this program, please join us on April 18 at the Fire Hall or call our Firewise Coordinator, Michele Brown-Riding at 541-787-7383 for information.