Plans to increase the number of Jacksonville neighborhoods whose residents have chosen to work with each other to create safer environments for all, during fire season, by establishing defensible space around their homes are coming to fruition.
Recently, the neighborhoods of “Gold Terrace” and “Vineyard View” were recently recognized as nationally-certified Firewise communities. Chief Devin Hull made the announcement at the February 16th City Council meeting.
By working together to clear yard debris and flammable plantings from around their homes, residents have made themselves and the entire neighborhood safer in the event of a wildfire by eliminating fuel sources.
Within the next several months, program leaders hope to bring several other Jacksonville neighborhoods into the Firewise program. Jacksonville currently has three certified communities.
The spring Firewise events will include a neighborhood-wide debris collection in the Westmont community on Saturday, April 30 from 9:00am to 2:00pm. Vineyard View will conduct a Firewise Education activity on Thursday, May 5 and Gold Terrace will host a Firewise BBQ on Sunday, May 15th.
If you are interested in finding out how your neighborhood can become Firewise-certified, please contact Chief Hull at 541-899-7246 or Michele Brown-Riding at 541-787-7383.
In photo l-r: Michelle Brown-Riding, Program Coordinator, Gayle Lewis, Gold Terrace Coordinator, Ron Holthusen, Vineyard View Coordinator, and Chris Arnold, Westmont Coordinator.