Ready NOW

07/22/2026

Stay up to date on the latest fire developments with one of our favorite apps: Watch Duty https://www.watchduty.org/

Check out other emergency apps and alerts on our website at https://firebrandcollective.org/ready-now/wildfire-alerts-and-resources/

07/22/2026

Pretty, pretty please pay close attention to the conditions across the state. The National Weather Service has issued Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches for a large portion of the Oregon for Wednesday.

The forecast is calling for another round of lightning. It's already extremely dry. Our ask: prevent sparking a wildfire.

➡ Check your tow chains.
➡ Don't mow tall dry grass in the heat of the day
➡ Don't park on tall dry grass

We've got prevention tips posted to our website to share with your friends and family.

LEARN MORE: https://www.oregon.gov/osfm/education/pages/prevent-wildfires.aspx

05/19/2026

This is exactly the kind of work we focus on through our Ready NOW program — helping communities prepare for wildfire with a “home outward” approach to resilience. 🌲🔥
Wildfire preparedness is about taking practical, achievable steps that help protect homes, neighborhoods, and the people we care about most.
Through Ready NOW, you can request a free Home Wildfire Risk Assessment to better understand where your home and property may be vulnerable to wildfire. Our team provides personalized recommendations for home hardening, defensible space, and other actions that can strengthen your wildfire resilience and support a safer, more connected community.
Preparedness starts at home, but resilience is something we build together. 💛
Learn more at ​​firebrandcollective.org/assessments/

05/19/2026

May is Wildfire Awareness Month, a time for every Oregonian to think about what they can specifically do to prevent wildfires this year.

Over 70% of Oregon wildfires are caused by humans, mostly inadvertently. One careless action can have devastating consequences. ODF asks you to be careful with burning debris, it’s the number one human cause of wildfires.

As fire season declarations are made around the state, check whether burns are regulated or prohibited. A new tool is available to make it easier for you! Visit Before You Burn: https://ow.ly/PT9b50YYs0b to see whether burning is allowed where you’re located, and get tips on safe burning practices.

05/18/2026

Fire season is here. 🌲🔥

Preparedness doesn’t happen all at once — it starts with small, achievable steps taken together. Whether it’s clearing flammable debris, checking your evacuation plan, or connecting with neighbors, every action helps strengthen community resilience.

This season, let’s focus on being informed, connected, and ready — not fearful. We’re stronger when we prepare together. 💛

04/01/2026

We're gonna be so popular!

Over the past few years, we’ve had a lot of honest conversations about what it takes to keep this work going. Like many nonprofits, Firebrand Resiliency Collective operates in a constant balancing act between delayed funding and the very real, immediate needs of the communities we serve. It’s not always glamorous, and it’s rarely straightforward. But it’s work we believe in deeply.

Still, the reality is: we’ve had to get creative. Which is why we’re announcing a bold new revenue strategy:

We’re opening a fireworks stand.

Now, we understand there may be concerns. But hear us out: After years of working in wildfire recovery and preparedness, we realized that no one understands fire in this region quite like we do. We like to think we can bring a uniquely informed perspective to the fireworks space. And honestly, we need to diversify our portfolio of services.

Proceeds will support our ongoing work in community resilience, preparedness, and recovery—while also raising awareness about fire safety in a very immediate, experiential way. Because at the end of the day, whether it’s through grants, partnerships, or (apparently) pyrotechnics, we’re committed to finding ways to sustain this work for the long haul.

More details to come soon, including location, hours, and our official stance on “defensible space” around the checkout counter.

Want to get a jump on this year's wildfire season? Place your order today:
https://tinyurl.com/52mbxp7h

03/03/2026

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗢𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 - 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴
(March 20–21, Applegate FD)

Firebrand Resiliency Collective is hosting a two-day Home Wildfire Risk Assessor training focused on structure ignition risk, defensible space, resident engagement, and hands-on field assessments.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲𝘀:
• Recognizing structure ignition factors and defensible space mitigations
• Practical, field-ready assessment methodology
• Strategies for productive resident risk conversations
• Hands-on assessments in the field
• Intro to the Wuuii platform for digital assessments and mitigation tracking

𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀:
• Location: Applegate Fire District Training Room
• Dates: March 20–21
• Cost: $300 ($250 without food)
• Up to 10 seats reserved for fire district personnel

𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗱 for personnel able to conduct assessments under FRC’s Ready NOW program using the Wuuii digital assessment platform. Our goal is to strengthen regional capacity for consistent, high-quality home risk assessments and improve coordination between districts and community mitigation efforts. While Jackson and Josephine County fire personnel will be prioritized, out-of-area professionals are welcome if space allows.

𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼 & 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: firebrandcollective.org/assessor

02/09/2026

𝗨𝗽𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗜 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗦𝗢𝗨:
𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗲 – 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆-𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀

Large, destructive wildfires are becoming the new normal. This upcoming course explores how communities can dramatically reduce wildfire risk through neighborhood-level action, equity-centered preparedness, and workforce solutions.

Ashland’s 2025 Community Wildfire Protection Plan sets a goal of reducing wildfire risk by 90% within ten years. This “local conversation” forum explores opportunities to achieve that goal through community action.

Topics include identifying neighborhood-level risk using aerial imagery; reducing residential risk (with attention to renters and socially vulnerable households); responding to the insurance crisis; and building a wildfire-smart workforce. The last session will be a mini-summit where we develop an action plan.

𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Our Executive Direct Tucker has a full session dedicated to FRC and Ready NOW on Feb 24 and Brian Hendrix from Ashland fire & rescue will be presenting information on February 17 about how Ashland is geospatially analyzing throughout the city and in neighborhoods.

𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀:
February 10–March 10, 2026

Tuesdays, 3:30–5:30 pm

Campbell Center (655 Frances Lane, Ashland) and Zoom

𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗜 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀 may register directly - https://olli.sou.edu/olliatsou/course/course.aspx?C=3999&pc=59&mc=60&sc=0

𝗡𝗼𝗻-𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀 should contact Charisse Sydoriak by email to learn how to participate.
[email protected]

𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿: Charisse Sydoriak has 35 years of experience in fire and natural-resource management, co-founded Ashland’s Volunteer Wildfire Risk Assessment Program, and co-authored the City’s 2025 Community Wildfire Protection Plan.

More info 👉 https://ashlandclimate.org/event/sou-olli-course-living-with-wildfire-planning-for-community-driven-solutions/2026-02-10/

02/09/2026

Every home assessment has a ripple effect. 💧

By helping one family harden their home, you can help protect an entire neighborhood.

Firebrand’s Ready NOW program is building a team of Home Wildfire Risk Assessors — friendly, committed people with a passion for community service.

Training provided, flexible schedule, paid per assessment.

🌱 Ready to make a difference?

Learn more and apply here 👉 firebrandcollective.org/assessor

02/03/2026