June 12, 2015
Contact:
Dan Thorpe
Oregon Dept. of
Forestry
Forestry
For southwestern Oregon
residents, there are two reliable indicators that wildfire season has arrived: smoke
in the air, and Brian Ballou on the evening news. Since 2004 the Oregon
Department of Forestry fire prevention educator has taught homeowners,
recreationists and forest operators common-sense ways to avoid accidentally starting
fires while working or playing in the woods. In recognition of his efforts, Ballou
recently received the coveted Bronze Smokey Award.
residents, there are two reliable indicators that wildfire season has arrived: smoke
in the air, and Brian Ballou on the evening news. Since 2004 the Oregon
Department of Forestry fire prevention educator has taught homeowners,
recreationists and forest operators common-sense ways to avoid accidentally starting
fires while working or playing in the woods. In recognition of his efforts, Ballou
recently received the coveted Bronze Smokey Award.
“This is the highest honor
given to organizations or individuals for outstanding
wildfire prevention service that is national in scope,” Said Dan Thorpe, ODF
district forester for SW Oregon. The Gold, Silver and Bronze Smokey Awards
recognize individuals and organizations for “outstanding wildfire prevention
service or projects rendered.”
given to organizations or individuals for outstanding
wildfire prevention service that is national in scope,” Said Dan Thorpe, ODF
district forester for SW Oregon. The Gold, Silver and Bronze Smokey Awards
recognize individuals and organizations for “outstanding wildfire prevention
service or projects rendered.”
Ballou’s innovative approach
to educating the public about fire safety incorporates an array of tools, from
mass media, to home visits, to social media. A wildfire blog he originated has
become the go-to source for area residents seeking current fire information.
During the record 2013 and 2014 seasons the blog exceeded 25,000 hits per day.
to educating the public about fire safety incorporates an array of tools, from
mass media, to home visits, to social media. A wildfire blog he originated has
become the go-to source for area residents seeking current fire information.
During the record 2013 and 2014 seasons the blog exceeded 25,000 hits per day.
His brochures, “Wildfire!
Are you prepared?” and “Will your home survive a wildfire?” have fostered
awareness of the fire risk among thousands of rural homeowners and instructed
them in how to make their houses and properties defensible in the event of an
encroaching wildfire.
Are you prepared?” and “Will your home survive a wildfire?” have fostered
awareness of the fire risk among thousands of rural homeowners and instructed
them in how to make their houses and properties defensible in the event of an
encroaching wildfire.
Hundreds of broadcast news
media appearances each summer have cemented his reputation as the face of
wildfire prevention in SW Oregon.
media appearances each summer have cemented his reputation as the face of
wildfire prevention in SW Oregon.
The fire educator’s
behind-the-scenes work has had no less of an impact on the public’s awareness
of wildfire risk. He was a key player in the development of Community Wildfire
Protection Plans in two counties and five communities.
behind-the-scenes work has had no less of an impact on the public’s awareness
of wildfire risk. He was a key player in the development of Community Wildfire
Protection Plans in two counties and five communities.
Willing to reach out even to
non-traditional partners to promulgate the wildfire prevention message, Ballou
worked with plant specialists, Oregon State University Extension, nurseries,
landscapers and others to produce a local list of fire-resistant plants for
rural homeowners. Some plants commonly used in landscaping, such as ornamental
juniper, can actually carry a ground fire to structures, while the plants on
his list resist the flames and also require less water to maintain.
non-traditional partners to promulgate the wildfire prevention message, Ballou
worked with plant specialists, Oregon State University Extension, nurseries,
landscapers and others to produce a local list of fire-resistant plants for
rural homeowners. Some plants commonly used in landscaping, such as ornamental
juniper, can actually carry a ground fire to structures, while the plants on
his list resist the flames and also require less water to maintain.
Measuring the success of any
type of prevention work can be challenging. But during his tenure in ODF’s
Southwest Oregon District, the trend in human-caused wildfires has declined
from 200 a year to 165 annually – a significant impact in a fire-prone area
with a population of 300,000.
type of prevention work can be challenging. But during his tenure in ODF’s
Southwest Oregon District, the trend in human-caused wildfires has declined
from 200 a year to 165 annually – a significant impact in a fire-prone area
with a population of 300,000.
In 1997, the Oregon
Legislature passed landmark legislation that addressed the burgeoning threat to
forests, life and property posed by developments near and in the forest. The Oregon Forestland-Urban
Interface Fire Protection Act, which came to be known as “Senate Bill 360,”
broke new ground by encouraging rural residents to turn their fire-vulnerable urban
and suburban properties into less-volatile zones where firefighters could better
defend homes from wildfires. Ballou implemented the Act throughout Jackson and
Josephine counties and statewide with passion and creativity, developing an
entire suite of SB-360 aids, including a guidance manual for rural residents,
certification training materials, and a property self-evaluation form.
Legislature passed landmark legislation that addressed the burgeoning threat to
forests, life and property posed by developments near and in the forest. The Oregon Forestland-Urban
Interface Fire Protection Act, which came to be known as “Senate Bill 360,”
broke new ground by encouraging rural residents to turn their fire-vulnerable urban
and suburban properties into less-volatile zones where firefighters could better
defend homes from wildfires. Ballou implemented the Act throughout Jackson and
Josephine counties and statewide with passion and creativity, developing an
entire suite of SB-360 aids, including a guidance manual for rural residents,
certification training materials, and a property self-evaluation form.
His nomination for the
Bronze Smokey Award received broad support from the community, with 31 letters
of support submitted by organizations including the U.S. Forest Service, Oregon
State Fire Marshal, The Nature Conservancy, Congressman Greg Walden, Southern
Oregon Timber Industries Association and others.
Bronze Smokey Award received broad support from the community, with 31 letters
of support submitted by organizations including the U.S. Forest Service, Oregon
State Fire Marshal, The Nature Conservancy, Congressman Greg Walden, Southern
Oregon Timber Industries Association and others.
Gwen Beavans, National Fire
Prevention Coordinator with the U.S. Forest Service, described the high regard
in which Ballou is held for his work:
Prevention Coordinator with the U.S. Forest Service, described the high regard
in which Ballou is held for his work:
“Brian is a longstanding
stalwart representative in fire prevention and a household name in southern
Oregon, just like Smokey Bear,” she said.
stalwart representative in fire prevention and a household name in southern
Oregon, just like Smokey Bear,” she said.
Ballou works out of ODF’s
Southwest Oregon District office in Central Point, and he resides with his
family in the area.
Southwest Oregon District office in Central Point, and he resides with his
family in the area.