Oak Knoll

Neighborhood
Meeting

September 1, 2010
Oak Knoll Golf Course
Club House
 Meeting Agenda
• Introduction
-- Mayor John Stromberg
• Overview of the Fire on August 24th
-- Fire Chief John Karns
-- Captain David Shepherd
• Update of Current Investigation
-- Police Chief Terry Holderness
• What can I do to help keep my home, neighborhood and city
safe?
-- Community Development Director Bill Molnar
-- Public Works Director Mike Faught
-- Forest Resource Specialist Chris Chambers
• What is the City doing to assist the neighborhood?
-- Community Development Director Bill Molnar
-- Public Works Director Mike Faught
-- Mayor John Stromberg
• Questions and Input
 Weather
• Late August, Extreme Fire Danger,
Red Flag Conditions
• Weather at Ashland Airport, 4:55 PM
• 97 degrees

• Winds 10 mph, gusts to 16 mph

• Humidity at 13 %
 Overview of the Fire
• September 24th Fire Response
• 4:36 PM, First 911 Call Received for Grass Fire at
2380 Ashland St, Structures Threatened.
• 4:38 PM, Oregon Department of Forestry Engines
on Scene at Washington St.
• 4:40 PM, U.S. Forest Service Engine 12 on Scene
• 4:41 PM, Ashland Fire & Rescue Engine 8802 on
Scene
• Reporting ½ acre Fire on Both Sides of
Washington St.
• 4:43 PM, Ashland Fire Shift Captain Shepherd on
Scene at Washington and Jefferson Streets

DAVID SHEPHERD SLIDES HERE
 Oak Knoll Fire Response
• 4:47 PM, APD Reports Fire Jumped Freeway
• 4:53 PM, Units Dispatched to Oak Knoll – report of 4
structures on fire
• 4:54 PM, Oak Knoll Command Established, Fire
Managed as Two Fires
• 4:56 PM, Request Made for Structural Strike Team
• 5:01 PM, Command reported 7 structures involved,
8851 & 8301 on scene already
• 5:09 PM, 740 W. Pebble Beach’s Yard on Fire,
• 6:00 PM, Washington St Fire Contained
• 8:30 PM, Oak Knoll Fire Contained
 Fire Resources
• AF&R Staffing that Day = 7
• 16 Agencies Responded to the Fire
• 38 Fire Engines, 21 Fire Command
Vehicles
• 3 Helicopters and Air Tac Airplane
• 135 Firefighters and Command Staff
• Ashland CERT Volunteers
• Other Agencies Including Ashland
Police, Sheriff’s Dept, Search &
Rescue, Ashland Public Works
 Fire Safety and Prevention
• Be FireWise around your Home by:
• Using Fire Resistant Plants

• Use Fire Resistant Building

Materials
• Maintain your home and lot to
reduce hazards
Fire Resistant Plants
Fire Resistant Plants Are:
•Moist
•Lean i.e. little to no dead
leaves and branches
•Sap is water like, not
sticky.
Most deciduous trees and
shrubs are fire-resistant.
 Fire Resistant Plants

Combination of Fire Safe Plant Species and

Arrangement is Critical
 Fire Resistant Plants

Avoid Highly Flammable Plants like Juniper, Cypress,

Arbovitae and other evergreen shrubs and trees.
 Fire Resistant Buildings

•Class A Roofing is Best for Fire Protection, includes asphalt, tile,

slate, etc…ask for it or look on the material’s packaging.
•Non-combustible siding is recommended
•Composite Decking and Screens
•Wire fencing is better, but if you have wood, break the connection
to the house.
 Fire Safety Maintenance
•Clean up all leaves and needles
•Keep combustibles away from buildings or
in a metal shed
•Clean under decks and stairs
•Keep mulch and anything flammable away
from wood siding
 General Fire Safety

•Have an Evacuation Plan and Practice It

•Check Smoke Detectors
•Video Tape or Catalog your Belongings
•Store Valuables Outside the Home
•Update Your Insurance Policy
 10 FireWise Steps
1. Change out wood shake roofing…or at least start saving now to replace
shakes soon
2. Remove flammable plants and trees within 30 feet of your home. Chip away
at it starting close to the home and working out if it seems too big a job
3. Clean up anything flammable including leaves and needles, firewood, and
lumber working out from the home to 30 feet. This includes gutters and
rooftops
4. Clean debris from under decks and stairs
5. Keep mulch and anything flammable away from wood siding
6. Use only Fire Resistant Plants for your landscape
7. Replace old, flammable wood siding with fire resistant materials
8. Check and/or change batteries in your smoke detector
9. Make a plan for evacuation and family communication and practice it
10. Make sure your address is readily visible from the street