Now that rainy and cooler weather has returned, controlled burn season is beginning across the area. As conditions allow, forest managers will use prescribed fire, often called controlled burns, to reduce community wildfire risk in and surrounding Ashland and throughout Southern Oregon. Proactive burning reduces fuels in forests, creating safer conditions for firefighters during the summer while benefitting forest health.
Here are some measures you can take to be informed and healthy during the controlled burn season:
- Visit SmokewiseAshland.org for advice about how to protect sensitive individuals and see current air quality. Supplies for indoor air cleaning are available at local stores. N-95 respirators are available at no cost at the Ashland Senior Center, The Grove (East Main st, near Ashland Police Dept) and the Community Development building across from Lithia Park on Winburn Way.
- Sign-up for non-emergency-controlled burn text messages. To sign up for the non-emergency-controlled burn notifications, text WATERSHED in the text message line to recipient 888-777. Call (541) 552-2218 if you need help with signing up. We will send text messages for controlled burns to persons signed-up for the ‘WATERSHED’ group when controlled burning could impact air quality.
- Avoid active burn areas. Plan your hikes, runs, rides, and outings to avoid areas where burns are planned.
- Reduce your wildfire risk. Learn how you can reduce wildfire risk by visiting these resources.
- Visit Ashlandoregon.gov and click on ‘RESIDENTS’ at the top to see a list of emergency preparedness, wildfire and smoke resources.
See more about why we use controlled burning and learn more about the 2025 Ashland Community Wildfire Protection Plan. Thank you for participating in community wildfire readiness by tolerating occasional smoke from controlled burning.