Sometimes small changes can have a big impact.

For the Southern Oregon town of Chiloquin, a park that used to be a parking lot is creating space for the community to connect, post-pandemic. The town's first shaded and accessible public seating area was built in part from funds from an AARP Oregon Community Challenge Grant.

Robert Cowie, a city council member in Chiloquin, said the project has improved the livability of the town.

"We see kids out there doing their homework or chit-chatting," Cowie pointed out. "I see people will walk along there and they'll stop and sit and rest for a bit before they continue their walk."

AARP Community Challenge Grants fund quick-action projects that improve public spaces, transportation, housing, digital connections and more. Applications are open now through March 5.

All projects must be consistent with AARP's mission to serve the needs of people 50 and older along with other eligibility criteria. Cowie noted the pocket park in Chiloquin provides a beautiful space for their farmers market and has inspired more positive changes for the town.

"It's a corner that everybody passes several times a day often," Cowie added. "I think it's just brought a sense of renewal to the community."

Since 2017, AARP has invested more than $20 million toward 1,700 projects, including 35 in Oregon. This year's focus includes improving pedestrian safety and expanding high-speed internet, among other things.


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Large wildfires have ravaged parts of northeastern Minnesota and relief organizations are out in full force to assist displaced residents.

They said monetary donations help, while hoping others are inspired to volunteer in the future. As of midweek, state and local leaders said the fires have destroyed roughly 150 structures and a number of homes are under evacuation orders.

Dave Schoeneck, a public affairs volunteer for the Minnesota and Dakotas Region of the American Red Cross, said because there are a lot of cabins in the region, it's hard to say yet how many people are without a place to live long-term. In the meantime, the Red Cross is set up at evacuation centers, where those affected can get short-term help.

"We are assisting folks coming in there who need a shelter or a place to refresh themselves, to get food and hydration and replacing lost medications," Schoeneck explained.

He noted monetary donations ensure the Red Cross is well-stocked with supplies and people should avoid donating such items as water and clothing because of the potential for logistical problems.

For future disasters, Schoeneck pointed out response crews always welcome additional volunteers. There is training for emergency shelter management, information gathering and other roles.

Katy Lofquist, creative director for the United Way of Northeastern Minnesota, echoed the call for donating money, if someone wants to help right away. Her organization is gearing up for assisting residents with recovery needs once the fire threat fades. Even if they have temporary shelter, there is an overwhelming sense of need.

"Especially in the case of a fire, people are so shaken, they don't know where to go or what to do next," Lofquist observed.

The fires come after widespread flooding affected the region last year. For the wildfires, United Way chapters in the northeast part of the state are setting up special recovery funds for donations. Lofquist stressed victims traditionally have to apply for the aid, and 100% of funds raised go directly to those who need it.


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Montana's wildfire risk is 74% higher than other states, so experts are encouraging Montanans to think ahead Saturday on Wildfire Community Preparedness Day.

When wildfires ignite homes, an ember or small flame is usually to blame, according to the National Fire Protection Association. That means prep work in the "immediate zone" - or the five feet surrounding a home - is effective.

Anne Cope, chief engineer for the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety, said that zone is critical because that's where wind eddies deposit embers and where flammable materials including mulch, bushes and stacked firewood tend to be.

"When you bring those two things together, boom, that's where that teeny little fire is gonna start, that you could have just stomped out with your boot," she said. "That is sadly what's going to take down a house."

Cleaning roofs and gutters, installing metal mesh screening over open vents, repairing damaged shingles and window screens and removing items stored under porches are simple ways to prepare for wildfire season.

A home's "intermediate zone" ranges five to 30 feet out and its "extended zone" could reach as far as 200 feet. In these areas, experts suggest paying attention to decks and patios, walkways, the height of mowed grass, dead foliage, as well as the density of shrubs and plants and the distances between them.

Cope said it's effective for neighbors to tackle these together.

"It is amazing how much that can do," she said, "how much it reduces the likelihood of your home igniting and then taking down all your friends on the cul-de-sac."

Nearly a half-million homes in Montana are directly exposed to wildfire risk, meaning they could ignite by adjacent vegetation, flying embers or nearby structures.


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In many small Minnesota communities, city hall windows display "firefighters wanted" posters. Lack of interest is a reality local fire chiefs have to confront, but they're not giving up.

The National Volunteer Fire Council said coming out of the recent pandemic, the number of non-salaried firefighters had declined to around 675,000. In the early 1980s, the number was close to 900,000. Researchers noted the majority of U.S. fire departments are volunteer.

Brett Anderson, chief of the Mora Area Fire Department, which has 31 on-call firefighters, said fortunately, they just reached a full staff thanks to local advertising and emphasizing a sense of camaraderie.

"You gotta get the training, you gotta get the education. You gotta do that stuff so that you know what you're doing when the pager goes off," Anderson outlined. "But if you have the most qualified firefighter in the world, but he doesn't have the passion, or she doesn't have the passion to go to a call at 3 o'clock in the morning, doesn't matter how good they are at their job."

He feels the "family" selling point has slipped away over the years and reestablishing it can be a "word-of-mouth" tool in attracting applicants. Anderson pointed out surrounding departments are struggling with staffing levels, potentially leading to longer response times for mutual aid. Volunteer firefighters may not be salaried but do receive compensation, including certain benefits.

Ben Duske, chief of the Waverly Fire Department, said his team of volunteers is below where it should be. He said one positive development is messaging about the prevalence of remote work, making it easier for people to pause their full-time jobs and help out when needed.

"We have three or four people that are on our department that are able to respond to daytime calls, which is a huge benefit," Duske acknowledged.

The department leaders point out there's no magic formula, citing the pressure facing households, to solely focus on family supporting careers, as one of many things making application piles shorter.

Jim McCoy, chief of the Austin Fire Department, agreed and said beyond the hourly wages, conveying the message of community-minded spirit is something they have to lean on.

"You help people in their worst times on their worst day," McCoy observed.


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