The U.S. Forest Service is conducting controlled burning in the Ashland watershed. Officials say conditions are favorable for safe burning, with snowpack above town and winds expected to push most smoke away from residential areas.

After having to adapt on the fly during the Almeda Fire five years ago, agencies across Jackson County now have a shared wildfire evacuation plan that spells out each group’s duties. Law enforcement leads the way In the event of a citywide wildfire evacuation, while local fire departments and the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) will focus on fighting the fire.