Oregon Department of Forestry Encourages Caution While Burning to Prevent Wildfires

The Oregon Department of Forestry and other fire prevention experts are urging everyone to exercise caution when disposing of yard debris this spring. There have already been 32 escaped debris burns reported on ODF-protected lands in 2025. That's nearly double the amount compared to this time last year. The average size of an escaped spring debris burn is about one acre -- or the size of a football field -- and generally requires suppression from a local fire agency. Over 75% of wildfires in Oregon are human-caused, with escaped debris burns topping the list. With forecasters becoming increasingly confident that this season will be hotter and drier than normal, now is the time to practice wildfire prevention. As grass and vegetation begin to dry out, the risk of a fire creeping away from a debris burn pile increases. Make sure to weigh your options and have all of the fire prevention tools in place before lighting the burn pile or burn barrel. Besides burning, preferable options for brush removal include composting or recycling. Check with your local disposal company for recycling options. But if burning now is the only option to dispose of yard debris, fire prevention officials ask people to follow safe burning practices. If your debris burn spreads out of control, you may have to pay for suppression costs as well as any damage to your neighbors' properties, which can be extremely expensive. ...Read more

Local First Responders Came Together to Support Asante Mass Casualty Drill in GP

Last Friday, multiple first responder agencies came together in support of the Asante Three Rivers Medical Center Emergency Department's annual drill to evaluate their ability to handle multiple patients at once. The practice scenario set the stage of a Boatnik incident involving a sprint boat that crashed into a crowd at Riverside Park. The resulting injuries involved 26 people, all student actors from Grants Pass High School. Rescue crews were plunged into the job of rapid triage, treatment and transport of the injured who were subsequently flooded into the local ER. The scene was staged in the parking lot south of the Grants Pass Clinic. It involved agencies led by Grants Pass Fire & Rescue including American Medical Response, Rural Metro Fire Department, Jackson County Fire District #1, Applegate Valley Fire District, Illinois Valley Fire District, Williams Rural Fire Protection District, Mercy Flights, Cal-Ore Life Flight out of Brookings and the Southern Oregon Public Safety Chaplains. Officials said the training mission was "an overall success." ...Read more

AllCare Health & Community Council Awards Grant to Rogue Valley Growers Market

AllCare Health -- in partnership with its Jackson County Community Advisory Council -- has awarded a $50,000 grant to the Rogue Valley Growers and Crafters Market. This investment will support the introduction of $10 "Protein Bucks" for SNAP/EBT customers, providing improved access to local, protein-rich food options at the Market's Medford and Ashland locations. The Rogue Valley Growers and Crafters Market exists to support local farmers and artisans by providing space to sell their products directly to the public. The market promotes agricultural education, connects consumers with fresh produce and handcrafted goods, and fosters the growth of farming and crafting skills, especially among younger generations. The Market also serves has a resource for members to share knowledge and it supports community development efforts throughout Jackson County and surrounding areas. ...Read more