2019 Fire Season Begins in City of Ashland
on Saturday, June 1st 
 
The 2019 Southern Oregon fire season begins on Saturday, June 1st at 12:01 a.m. The fire season declaration by the Oregon Department of Forestry applies to all lands within the City of Ashland. Beginning June 1st, fire danger will be LOW (green) with an IFPL 1.
 
As fire season begins, Ashland Fire & Rescue asks that all Ashland residents remember the Ready, Set, Go! evacuation levels. Be READY now by preparing an emergency personal supplies kit, develop an evacuation plan, and be Firewise by removing combustible plants and debris around your home and from the roof.  Find more information about being READY at www.ashland.or.us/evacuate.
 
Southern Oregon benefited from a robust water year and record snowpack over the winter, which will delay the worst of fire season at higher elevations, but causes grass and brush to grow taller in the valleys where the majority of fire starts occur during the summer.
 
As fire danger increases throughout the summer months, prevention efforts will include more fire restrictions.  Find the most current restrictions at www.ashland.or.us/fireseason or by contacting Ashland Fire & Rescue at 541.482-2770.  The following restrictions remain and/or go into effect beginning June 1st:

• Outdoor Debris Burning is Prohibited - The barbecues and fire rings in Lithia Park and raised outdoor wood burning appliances that meet the city requirements are permitted to be used at this time. These are prohibited during high and extreme fire danger. 
• Fireworks and sky lanterns are prohibited at all times, throughout the year within the City of Ashland.
• Weed Abatement is required to be completed by June 15.
• Industrial Forest and Contractor Operations - Under the IFPL 1, commercial forestry and all outdoor contracting operators on or within 1/8 of a mile of Oregon Department of Forestry protected forest lands are required to have fire equipment on site and provide a watchman service. The current Wildfire Hazard Zone inside the city limits is also protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry. For more information regarding operating on wildfire lands, see the Oregon Department of Forestry website at www.swofire.com.

Additional Information:

• Sign-up for emergency notifications 
• Check our website  www.ashland.or.us/fireseason 
• Ashland Firewise – www.ashlandfirewise.org