From: WebEditor

Date: Sep-25

This week has been record-setting for the Tidings website. Our page views skyrocketed on Monday, thanks to the Siskiyou fire, which burned 190 acres in the hills of south Ashland. Like the rest of Ashland, we were worried about the threat to the town, but while others were evacuating, hosing down their homes or trying to find information about what was going on, we were trying to cover the blaze.  

The fire broke shortly before our noon deadline, but thanks to reporter Hannah Guzik and freelancers Elon Glucklich and Dennis Dunleavy (and sending the paper to the press a little late), we were able to get a story and photos on the front page of Monday’s paper. Of course, by the time the paper came out in the afternoon some of the information was a little out of date as the fire spread and more evacuations were ordered. Cue: the website.

Hannah did an excellent job of providing updates throughout Monday. As soon as she found out new information, we posted it on the website. (Check out Hannah’s blog post about covering the fire.)

Meanwhile, freelancer Mandy Valencia shot and edited an initial video of the fire, which she followed up with a second video that afternoon. Another video came from Ashlander Marshall Ryan, who was in the Tolman Creek area as the fire grew.

Between freelancers, staffers and contributions from the community, we ended up with four “creatively” named photo galleries: Fire in Ashland, Ashland on fire, Ashland fire forces evacuations, destroys one home and Kayla's Fire Photos. You can also view a Reader Fire Photos gallery on ConnectAshland.

Then there were several follow-up fire stories throughout the week, and a page of letters to the editor thanking the firefighters.

Now the Valley is even smokier than it was when the Siskiyou fire was raging, but the haze is coming from fires to the north.

Considering how small of a staff we have at the Tidings, we think we did a pretty good job of covering the fire, but there’s always room for improvement. We’re interested in hearing your take on the fire and our coverage. Post your comments here, or send letters to the editor to tidingsopinion@dailytidings.com.
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