Ashland, Oregon – With wildfire season concerns already building across Oregon, a new training in Ashland is being positioned as a practical step for schools, childcare providers, and other child-focused spaces preparing for smoke impacts in the months ahead.
Smokewise Ashland, the Southern Oregon Forest Restoration Collaborative, the Oregon State University ASPIRE Children’s Environmental Health Center, and Southern Oregon University are inviting community participants to attend a Smoke Readiness Training on Friday, June 5, 2026.
The event is scheduled from noon to 4 p.m. Pacific Time and will take place at Southern Oregon University in Ashland. Specific building and room details are expected to be shared later.
The training comes at a time when concern is growing over Oregon’s wildfire outlook. Organizers point to record-low snowpack and unusually high spring temperatures as factors that have raised the risk of wildfires and increased the need for smoke preparedness, especially in places that regularly serve children.
That includes schools, childcare centers, outdoor schools, libraries, and similar community spaces where indoor air quality can quickly become a critical issue during smoke events.
Rather than focusing only on warnings, the event is designed to give participants concrete tools they can use. Organizers say attendees will learn about resources to strengthen smoke response plans and may also have access to microgrant opportunities.
Support for indoor air quality monitoring and improvements will also be part of the training, although quantities are limited.
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Another key piece of the event is a best practices guide and a set of checklists created through collaboration with local and state partners, along with schools and childcare centers. The goal is to help learning communities build a clearer plan before smoke emergencies intensify, giving staff and families a more prepared path forward when air quality worsens.
As wildfire smoke becomes a recurring challenge across the region, organizers are framing the training as both timely and necessary. For educators, childcare providers, and others responsible for spaces used by children, the session offers a chance to move from concern to action with guidance rooted in preparation and prevention.
Space for the event is limited, and advance registration is required. Those interested can sign up at https://smokereadinesstraining.rsvpify.com/.
