Mosier small business owner Drew Merritt and his wife, Kristin Currin, came terrifyingly close to a wildfire in 2020. The raging Mosier Creek Fire crept within 300 yards of their property as they raced home from a camping trip. …Now six years later, Merritt is working to make sure they never feel that feeling again. Earlier this summer, he attended an informational meeting alongside more than 30 other Mosier residents to discuss forming a Prescribed Burn Association in their town. …A mix of landowners, organizations and volunteers, PBAs connect people with the equipment, training and labor needed to conduct prescribed burns on their property. …Over the years, PBAs have been established in 22 states across the country. In Oregon, nine associations across 26 counties have formed since 2021. …Increased fire activity across the West has spurred interest in these associations, said Chris Adlam, a regional fire specialist at Oregon State University’s Extension Service.