Willamette Valley News, Monday, 9/14- Holiday Farm Fire About 6% Contained Say Officials; More than 30 Major Fires Raging in Oregon

The latest news stories and stories of interest in Eugene-Springfield area and around the state of Oregon from the online digital home of the valley, WillametteValleyMagazine.com.

Monday, September 14, 2020

Willamette Valley Weather

Today   Widespread smoke. Patchy fog. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 69. Calm wind.  Overnight, smokey and cloudy with a low around 54. Calm wind.

Tuesday   A chance of rain before 11am, then a chance of showers after 11am. Widespread smoke, mainly before 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 71. Light and variable wind. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Wednesday   A 20 percent chance of showers. Areas of smoke. Mostly sunny, with a high near 73. Calm wind.

Thursday   Showers likely, mainly after 11am. Patchy smoke. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 72. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Friday   Showers likely. Patchy smoke before 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 68.

Saturday   A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 69.

Today’s Headlines

Firefighters on the Holiday Farm fire say the fire is now roughly 6% contained and has grown little since yesterday on Sunday.  Burned are about 165,000 acres.   There is no official count yet on the number of homes and businesses lost.

Evacuation updates from Lane County: EVACUATION LEVEL FOR CAMP CREEK AND UPPER CAMP CREEK, MCKENZIE HIGHWAY BETWEEN CEDAR FLATS AND CAMP CREEK DOWNGRADED TO LEVEL 2

The evacuation level for residents on Camp Creek, Upper Camp Creek, McKenzie Highway between Cedar Flats and Camp Creek have been downgraded from a Level 3 (GO NOW) to a Level 2 (Be Set).

The evacuation level for residents for all of Deerhorn remains at Level 3 (GO NOW).

Residents should be aware that the change to Level 2 (Be Set) reflects that fire danger has only subsided in that area enough to allow residents access to the area so they can make additional preparations for their homes, livestock or other animals. They should expect that if fire behavior increases these areas may return to Level 3 (GO NOW) and residents must be able to leave again at a moment’s notice.

Level 2 (Be Set) means there is significant danger to your area and residents should either voluntarily relocate to a shelter or with family/friends outside of the affected area or be ready to evacuate at a moment’s notice. Emergency responders may not have time to provide you with additional notice if danger increases.
Please continue to monitor cell phones, landlines, local media and lanecounty.org/mckenzie fire for evacuation updates.

(NEW) Firefighters and deputies responded to 8 small fires early Monday morning in Lane County.  Sheriff Jim Yon said “deputies are investigating several suspicious fires that began early this morning at 2:41 a.m.”

“Deputies and fire personnel responded to eight different small fires in the areas of Scott Mountain Road west of Sweet Home, Whiskey Butte Drive east of Sweet Home and Washburn Heights Drive outside of Brownsville,” the sheriff’s office said. “All the fires occurred within a two-hour period.”

The sheriff said a small white or silver 1990s Nissan pickup with a black canopy was seen in the area of one of the fires.

“This is a vehicle of interest and we are actively looking for it,” Sheriff Yon said. Anyone with information is asked to call (541) 812-2260.

State, federal, county and tribal partners are fully engaged in response and recovery efforts for the more than 30 fires burning statewide in Oregon. With thick smoke limiting aviation resources, firefighters are struggling to contain the fires, the largest of which is more than 55 miles wide. 

More than 1 million acres have burned, leaving thousands of Oregonians displaced from their homes. A total of 3,023 people are currently being supported in shelters run by local counties, the state and the American Red Cross. Shelters are following COVID-19 guidance for group and non-congregate settings to limit spread of the virus.

Many evacuated Oregonians are sheltering with friends and family, while others are staying in RVs or vehicles. The American Red Cross has temporary shelters available throughout western Oregon, and those shelters have space available for more evacuees. For a list of temporary shelters, see the Red Cross Oregon website.  

Help donations go where they are needed most
Though well intended, please do not take donations to evacuation centers. Counties have received an influx of donations of materials they are unable to distribute. Unsolicited goods burden local organizations’ ability to meet survivors’ confirmed needs, drawing away valuable volunteer labor, transportation and warehouse space.  

At this time, the best way for the public to help people who are affected by wildfires is to make a financial contribution to the American Red Cross or one of the certified organizations that are members of Oregon Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster. These on-the-ground organizations know what items and quantities are needed, often buy in bulk with discounts and, if possible, purchase through businesses local to the disaster, which supports economic recovery.

To donate food, water and other items, reach out to your local food pantry or Community Action Partnership to see if they are able to receive donations. Find food pantries at https://foodfinder.oregonfoodbank.org/.  Community Action Partnership of Oregon: https://caporegon.org/   Phone: 503-316-3951

Around the state of Oregon

Sad news from Jackson County, Oregon, over the weekend. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office announced they have confirmed four sets of human remains in the wake of the Almeda Fire.

Earlier in the day at a press conference, the sheriff’s office reported there were five deaths as a result of the fire but later revised that number in an evening press release. Also, the Jackson County Sheriff’s office reports there is still at least one person not accounted for in relation to fire evacuations. Saturday morning, the number was up to 50 missing persons. Detectives are continuing to search for missing persons and other victims of the fire. They say that updates likely won’t be made on their efforts until this afternoon. Evacuation levels have been lowered for much of the county.

Almeda Fire Update near Ashland, Oregon
As of Monday morning, the Almeda Fire had minimal growth and is currently 60 percent contained. Fire crews continue to focus their efforts inside the fire line to mitigate hazardous conditions which include fire debris, unstable structures, downed utility lines, as well as venting natural gas lines.

Fire crews continue to urge all citizens to stay away from evacuation zones as crews actively work to address hazardous conditions.

Obenchain fire update east of Eagle Point, Oregon, for Monday

The Jackson County Sheriff’s office is in charge of evacuations in the area. We will will share any alerts/updates that are released.

Please see the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office website for the most up to date information.
https://jacksoncountyor.org/sher…/…/evacuation-levels-issued
Jackson County Emergency Management Website link is below.
https://jcgis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html…

South Obenchain Fire Update

Northwest Incident Management Team 8, Incident Commander, Doug Johnson
Oregon State Fire Marshal Incident Management Blue Team, Incident Commander, Scott Magers
September 14, 2020 – 9:00 AM.


The life and safety of the public and all wildland fire responders is always the number one priority for all fire agencies. To keep firefighters and communities healthy and safe, all firefighters are asked to follow recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to reduce the spread of illness. Please see the websites below or contact the Jackson County Emergency Management Office at (541) 776-7338 for further fire information.


Current situation: The south and western containment lines of the fire perimeter have held for several shifts. Crews continue to improve and mop up the interior of the established lines, in many places up to 300 feet. Improvement of dozer and hand lines along with some hazard tree removal will continue on the northern edge, in the Indian Creek area, as crews transition into the mop up phase. Northwest Incident Management Team 8 Deputy Incident Commander Kevin Stock told crews at morning briefing “We have taken advantage of the weather and smoke cover to reduce loss of property and resources. I really want to thank everyone for their hard work to get us to this point.”
The fire did make a small push to the east, into the old Double Day Fire (2008) scar late yesterday. The night shift worked to get a primary line in place. Available resources will be located in the area to get a containment line in place.

Four task forces of structural engines with the Oregon State Fire Marshal, are working along the Butte Falls Highway and in the Shady Cove area triaging and providing point protection.
Acreage: 32,031
Containment: 20%
Cause: Under investigation
Fire Information: (541) 776-7338
E-mail: SouthObenchainFire@gmail.com
Information Websites:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SouthObenchainFire
Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7185
Air Quality: oregonsmoke.blogspot.com

https://jacksoncountyor.org/sher…/…/evacuation-levels-issued
Jackson County Emergency Management Website link is below.
https://jcgis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html…


Donations: Anyone looking to make donations to help individuals and families that have been displaced by the Almeda and South Obenchain fires can visit Accesshelp.org. website.
ACCESS provides food, warmth, shelter, and other essential services to Jackson County’s low-income children, families, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities. Last year, 52,497 people received assistance from ACCESS’s broad continuum of services, including obtaining safe, affordable housing, rental assistance, utility assistance, weatherization, free loaned durable medical equipment and healthy food.
https://www.accesshelps.org/

COVID-19 has claimed five more lives in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 509.  Oregon Health Authority reported 185 new cases yesterday, bringing the state total to 29,337.

The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases around the state are in Benton (2), Clackamas (9), Curry (1), Deschutes (3), Douglas (1), Gilliam (1), Jackson (13), Jefferson (1), Josephine (5), Lane (8), Lincoln (1), Linn (3), Malheur (26), Marion (27), Morrow (1), Multnomah (38), Polk (6), Umatilla (6), Wasco (1), Washington (33).

Firefighters slowed the growth of the Two Four Two Fire near Chiloquin over the weekend and Saturday, encircling the blaze with fire line that held over most of the weekend. The fire is at 14,584 acres today and just an estimated 12% contained.

Winds picked up again late yesterday. There are no known injuries or fatalities. Hundreds of residents have since returned to the Oregon Shores, Woodland Park, Rainbow Park areas as well as others in the area of the fire. As of Saturday just 55 homes remained evacuated. Crews were able to save every structure in Rainbow Park and Woodland Park, which Klamath County Emergency Manager Brandon Fowler said was a big accomplishment. Officials are also warning people to stay away from the fire area unless you live there. They are asking that only residents return to keep the streets open for emergency crews and necessary traffic.

CHEMULT, Ore. – The Chemult Ranger District office is closed until further notice due to incident management team needs for the Thielsen Fire currently burning on the Umpqua National Forest.

For public and firefighter health and safety, the decision was made to close the Chemult office to anyone not assigned to the incident, including Forest employees and the public.

Visitor information, including maps, permits and Matsutake mushroom season information is available by contacting the Chiloquin Ranger District at 541-783-4001 or the Klamath Ranger District at 541-883-6714.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office issued a Level 3 (Go) evacuation notice for the Brattain Fire burning southwest of Paisley on Satuday. The Level 3 “Go” notice was for all residents of Paisley from Red House Lane, south on Highway 31 to Clover Flat Road onto Clover Flat Road to Forest Service Road 3510 (Moss Pass Road).

The Red Cross is establishing an evacuation area at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Lakeview. There will be fire information there as well. For those in the evacuation area, it is anticipated there will be congestion on Highway 31, fire traffic and temporary loss of power. Please use caution leaving the area.

State, federal, county and tribal partners are fully engaged in response and recovery efforts for the more than 30 fires burning statewide in Oregon.

With thick smoke limiting aviation resources, firefighters are struggling to contain the fires, the largest of which is more than 55 miles wide. 

More than 1 million acres have burned, leaving thousands of Oregonians displaced from their homes. A total of 3,023 people are currently being supported in shelters run by local counties, the state and the American Red Cross. Shelters are following COVID-19 guidance for group and non-congregate settings to limit spread of the virus. Many evacuated Oregonians are sheltering with friends and family, while others are staying in RVs or vehicles. The American Red Cross has temporary shelters available throughout western Oregon, and those shelters have space available for more evacuees. For a list of temporary shelters, see the Red Cross Oregon website.  

Help donations go where they are needed most
Though well intended, please do not take donations to evacuation centers. Counties have received an influx of donations of materials they are unable to distribute. Unsolicited goods burden local organizations’ ability to meet survivors’ confirmed needs, drawing away valuable volunteer labor, transportation and warehouse space.  

At this time, the best way for the public to help people who are affected by wildfires is to make a financial contribution to the American Red Cross or one of the certified organizations that are members of Oregon Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster. These on-the-ground organizations know what items and quantities are needed, often buy in bulk with discounts and, if possible, purchase through businesses local to the disaster, which supports economic recovery.

To donate food, water and other items, reach out to your local food pantry or Community Action Partnership to see if they are able to receive donations. Find food pantries at https://foodfinder.oregonfoodbank.org/.  Community Action Partnership of Oregon: https://caporegon.org/   Phone: 503-316-3951

Help find and reunite loved ones: 
OEM urges the public to update information on their status with the Red Cross. Let loved ones know you are safe at the American Red Cross Safe and Well Website. State emergency managers encourage people affected by the fires, whether or not they have evacuated, to register on the site. It is a helpful tool that can bring relief to people looking for loved ones during these fires, and help inform search efforts. 

Members of the 142nd Wing are deploying in support of efforts to contain and mitigate multiple wildland fires raging across the state of Oregon.   75 Airmen departed Portland Air National Guard Base, Ore. at 0900 today. They will be serving first in Echo Mountain, south of Salem, Ore., then dispersing to wherever they are needed. 

Monday ODOT update for Southwest Oregon

*Almeda Fire area between north Ashland-south Medford:Oregon 99 is still closed to the public between north Ashland (South Valley View Drive) and south Medford (South Stage Road) for fire operations. This includes the cities of Talent and Phoenix. I-5 Talent Exit 21 remains closed. I-5 Phoenix Exit 24 is closed to the west, but open to the east.


No pedestrians will be allowed to cross I-5 Exit 24 Phoenix.


*Obenchain Fire area: All of Oregon 62 north of Oregon 234 north is closed. This includes the OR 62 north and east from U.S. 97.


*Archie Fire & Diamond Lake area fires: Oregon 138E remains closed from Idleyld east to the junction of U.S. 97.


*Slater Fire in Illinois Valley: U.S. 199 (Redwood Highway) remains closed from the OR/Cal border north to near Cave Junction. (Also closed in California)

Dense Wildfire Smoke Statewide:
With heavy smoke blanketing much of southwest Oregon, ODOT reminds drivers the best thing they can do to stay safe is avoid driving unless absolutely necessary.
Remember to check conditions if you must head out. A number of roads remain closed throughout the state. Go to Tripcheck.com or call 5-1-1 for real time road conditions.
If you encounter heavy smoke while driving here are some steps you can take to help stay safe:
* Slow down and stay alert. Slow driving gives you more time to respond to unexpected conditions.
* Turn on your headlights. Even during daylight hours your headlights will help others on the road see you. Use low-beams as high-beams reflect off the moisture in the air and cause glare.
* Use fog lights. If you have them, fog lights can help cut through the smoke.
* Keep plenty of space between you and other vehicles. Visibility, of course, decreases in smoke so maintain a safe stopping distance between you and the vehicle up front.
* If visibility becomes too dangerous to continue, pull off to the side of the road as soon as safely possible.
* Never stop in a travel lane. Look for a safe area completely off the road if possible and turn off all lights, including flashers, until it’s safe to continue.
* Don’t tailgate. Keep a steady, reliable pace. Remember that everyone else on the road is in the same fix you’re in. They’re counting on you to help show the way.
Do not put yourself at risk by using forest roads to get around fire closure areas.

Congressman Greg Walden toured the destruction caused by the Almeda Fire and the evacuation location at the Jackson County Expo. The congressmen took time to meet with local officials that are responding to the fire and the following investigations as well as the organizers at the Expo to get an idea of what kind of support Southern Oregon need Lawmakers say that aid from FEMA is on its way. The congressmen say they’ve been in contact with the Governor’s office and highlighted the reason an additional declaration might take a few days.

A Southern Oregon man is accused of arson in connection with a fire that has caused major damage to several towns in Jackson County. Michael Jarrod Bakkela, 41, has arrested on two counts of arson, 15 counts of criminal mischief and 14 counts of reckless endangerment. The fire Bakkela set is considered to be one of two origins of the Almeda fire, said Oregon State Fire Marshal’s office spokesman Rich Tyler. The two fires quickly merged, Tyler said. Bakkela was arrested and initially lodged in the Jackson County Jail on Tuesday on a charge of possession of methamphetamine. He remains in jail on the arson and criminal mischief charges.

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