By Tove Tupper
 
February 8, 2010
 
ASHLAND, Ore. - Ashland homeowners living near wildland areas are taking advantage of grant money designed to help prevent future fires.
 
Around 40 homeowners are already putting to use money from the Firewise Grant Program to help create defensible space; clear away brush and cut off low limbs on trees. The grant provides homeowners up to $500.
 
The money can also be used to make upgrades on the actual home, such as replacing wooden shingles, upgrading an old deck or putting new siding on a home that is more fire resistance.
 
"Often we have short memories, and we take a lot of fire prevention precautions right after the fire, but a year later we forget, and I don't want to forget," Ashland Resident Edwin Mills said.
 
The Ashland Fire Department visits each household to help determine how the money can best be used. Then the homeowner can either do the work themselves or hire the work out. Once it's done, the house gets one final inspection before being reimbursed.
 
All the work needs to be done by June.
 
The fire department says even though 40 people are already signed up, there is room for between 100 to 125 more homeowners.