Ashland is holding a wildfire evacuation drill for people and businesses to rehearse what they would do in a real evacuation, from gathering their belongings to practicing their evacuation route.

Participants must sign up in advance on the city’s website. At 9:30 a.m., the city will send mobile alerts to registered participants, directing them to evacuate to the Ashland Municipal Airport at 403 Dead Indian Memorial Road. The drill will conclude at 11:30 a.m.

“This drill is not just about personal safety, it’s about community resilience. Every household that participates strengthens Ashland’s collective preparedness,” the website reads. “When the next wildfire comes, fear can be replaced with confidence and confusion with clear action. Preparing now protects the people and places we love most.”

This event is only a drill and not a real wildfire evacuation.

Residents with questions can email Ashland’s emergency management coordinator, Kelly Burns, at [email protected].

Jane Vaughan is a reporter with JPR. This story comes to you from the Northwest News Network, a collaboration between public media organizations in Oregon and Washington.

It is part of OPB’s broader effort to ensure that everyone in our region has access to quality journalism that informs, entertains and enriches their lives. To learn more, visit our journalism partnerships page.

News Source : https://www.opb.org/article/2025/10/09/wildfire-evacuation-drill-ashland-oregon/