City of Coos Bay release - November 9, 2026 - Over the next few weeks, the City of Coos Bay’s defensible space project will continue at John Topits Park. The Coos Forest Protective Association (CFPA) will lead this phase of work to remove excessive brush in an effort to reduce the chance that a wildfire spreads through the park or into nearby neighborhoods.  CFPA crews will thin dense underbrush along the park’s perimeter and in selected areas within the park. Removing some of this vegetation breaks up the fuel a wildfire can use to spread, helping protect the park and nearby homes.  Crews will dispose of the cut brush in small, controlled piles when weather and smoke dispersal conditions are favorable. Burning removes the cut material that could otherwise fuel a wildfire, and some nutrients from the ash can return to the soil. Residents may see smoke and flames during this planned work. CFPA will manage the burns, and the Coos Bay Fire Department will monitor the work closely.  If you visit the park, expect extra crew and equipment traffic. Please give crews room to work and follow any posted signs. If you see fire spreading beyond a burn pile or believe there is an emergency, call 911.  Thank you for your patience while crews work to protect John Topits Park and the neighborhoods around it. For project questions, call the Coos Bay Public Works at 541-269-8918.