September 13, 2021 3:30 a.m. 

Three communities in Douglas County recently received recognition for their efforts to reduce the vulnerability of homes and their surrounding landscapes by earning Firewise USA recognition from the National Fire Protection Association.

Kyle Reed of the Douglas Forest Protective Association said the communities include the Jade Drive community near Lookingglass, the Watson Mountain community near Glide and the Winchester Ridge community near Roseburg.

Reed said all three communities worked with DFPA to conduct a wildfire risk assessment that was specific to their community. Each community formed a Firewise committee to oversee the program locally and used the information from the wildfire risk assessment to develop and implement an action plan that prioritizes projects and outreach activities that can help reduce the risk of wildfires in their community. Reed said in addition, each community tracked the efforts of local residents who conducted wildfire prevention, mitigation, and education related projects in their community.

The new additions bring the total number of Firewise USA communities up to 30. These communities join 221 other communities throughout Oregon and nearly 1,900 nationally, which are participating in the program.

Reed said homeowners and community groups throughout Douglas County that are interested in earning Firewise recognition should contact DFPA at 672-6507 for more information.