Willamette Valley News, Monday 8/5 – One Rescued From the Willamette River in Springfield, Lane County Sheriff’s Office Serves Search Warrant at Marijuana Grow Near Junction City, Air Quality and Fire Updates & Other Local and Statewide News…

The latest news stories and stories of interest in the Willamette Valley from the digital home of Southern Oregon, from Wynne Broadcasting’s WillametteValleyMagazine.com

Monday, August 5, 2024

Willamette Valley Weather

Air Quality Alert Issued: 12:07 PM Aug. 2, 2024 – National Weather Service

...AIR QUALITY ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE...

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, and the Lane
Regional Air Protection Agency have continued an Air Quality Advisory,
which is in effect until further notice.

An Air Quality Advisory for Smoke remains in effect. Wildfires burning
in the region combined with forecasted conditions will cause air
quality to reach unhealthy levels at times until further nortice.

Pollutants in smoke can cause burning eyes, runny nose, aggravate
heart and lung diseases, and aggravate other serious health
problems. Limit outdoor activities and keep children indoors if it
is smoky. Please follow medical advice if you have a heart or lung
condition.

More information about air quality can be found at:

http://www.oregon.gov/DEQ
http://www.lrapa.org

Oregon State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple says “Our firefighters are doing everything thing they can to rise to this immense challenge, but they are taxed, and we need our fellow Oregonians’ help.

Please take precautions to avoid sparking a human-caused fire, be familiar with evacuation levels, and have a go-kit ready in case you need to leave your home.”

Fire Weather Tools from the National Weather Service

As we prepare for the peak of wildfire season in the U.S., the National Weather Service (NWS) reminds wildland fire managers that we have tools to help you monitor and fight wildfires. Whether it is a prescribed burn, ground fire or crown fire, fire managers can use this information to make decisions on how best to combat fires and keep the public safe. 

Fire weather forecasters – The NWS issues Fire Weather Outlooks for the next eight days. These outlooks show areas where pre-existing fuel conditions, combined with forecast weather conditions, may result in a significant threat of wildfires.

Our Fire Weather Program supports land managers and firefighters who mitigate and respond to fires. Our weather forecasts are designed to highlight times and locations where a fire may be exceptionally hard to control. For example, we offer Red Flag Warnings, which mean warm temperatures, very low humidities and stronger winds are ongoing or expected to produce an increased risk of fire danger in 12 to 24 hours for specific locations. 

Need a fire weather Spot Forecast? Land managers can request a site-specific, localized forecast for prescribed burns and wildfires to assess a potential threat. NWS recently updated this tool and will deliver additional enhancements to the application later this year. Learn more about the new Spot Forecast tool.  

For federal and select state large wildfires, onsite weather forecasting support to firefighters is critical. An NWS Incident- Meteorologist (IMET) can be deployed to your incident command post. IMETs arrive on scene within 12 to 24 hours after activation and can serve up to 14 consecutive days before being relieved by another IMET. https://www.weather.gov/news/241507-fire-weather-tools

One Rescued From the Willamette River in Springfield

The dangers of Oregon’s rivers and lakes came into focus again Saturday when one man drowned and another person had to be rescued from the Willamette River near Eugene.

The drowning happened on Henry Hagg Lake west of Forest Grove when a 32-year man jumped off a fishing pier without a life jacket. Authorities said the man surfaced but then struggled to swim, went under and didn’t come back up again.

Eugene Springfield Fire rescued one from the low head dam in Glenwood Saturday afternoon.  Firefighters were notified of one person trapped on the low head dam on the Willamette River near the D Street landing at 4:13 PM on August 3rd.  Boat 5 staffed by Engine 5’s crew at the Gateway station arrived quickly and was backed up by Boat 6 staffed by Ladder 6’s crew.  The individual was successfully rescued without incident.  

As with most water rescues performed by ESF, this individual was floating the river in a craft not designed for swift water and they were not wearing a life jacket.  There are numerous dangerous obstacles on our rivers both natural and manmade. Please float the river in appropriate craft and wear a life jacket.  Eugene Springfield Fire videos: https://www.facebook.com/EugeneSpringfieldFire/videos/2528979720635365 and https://www.facebook.com/EugeneSpringfieldFire/videos/1179594839827022

LCSO Case #24-3970 – Lane County Sheriff’s Office Serves Search Warrant at Marijuana Grow Near Junction City

Several weeks ago, the Lane County Sheriff’s Office was contacted by OLCC cannabis inspectors regarding a licensed grow site along Meadowview Road near Junction City. LCSO learned that while the premises was licensed, it was found to be operating far outside the boundaries of the requirements put in place by OLCC.

During a site visit last week, the OLCC found thousands of cannabis plants that were not entered into the Cannabis Tracking System (CTS). The tracking of plants is a requirement set by Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) and Oregon Administrative Rules (OARs). The Cannabis Tracking System tracks legal marijuana from seed to sale, and untracked marijuana cannot be legally sold in OLCC licensed dispensaries.

It was also determined that the premises had done a recent harvest, and none of the harvested cannabis was tracked in CTS, or located on site at time of the inspection. OLCC indicated they encountered several individuals working at the premises who were not licensed through OLCC or authorized to be at the location.

LCSO served a search warrant at the location on Wednesday and located 5,610 growing marijuana plants as well as processed marijuana. OLCC staff assisted at the location during the service of the warrant.

The owner, Jospeh Heintz, 54, of Florida, was cited and released by LCSO for Unlawful Manufacture of Marijuana. The investigation is on going.

LCSO would like to thank OLCC for their cooperation and would like to remind those in the legal industry to be mindful of the licensing requirements and to report others who are not.

This operation was funded out of the State of Oregon CJC grant to combat the illegal marijuana market.

Fire Updates

Cottage Grove – Lane 1 Fires Update

For further information visit the Inciweb links for each Cottage Grove-Lane 1 fires below: Lane 1: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/…/or77s-Cottage-Grove-lane-1Clark 900: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident…/or770s-clark-900Quartz: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident…/orupf-quartzJack Saddle: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident…/orupf-jack-saddleAdam Mountain: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident…/orupf-adam-mountainMineral: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident…/orupf-mineralPuddin: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident…/orupf-puddinHours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM E-mail: 2024.lane1@firenet.gov Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CottageGroveLane1Fires2024

U.S. Forest Service – Willamette National Forest –  · The Willamette National Forest has expanded an emergency closure order for the Pyramid Fire on the Sweet Home Ranger District to include the Slate Fire area. The closure order, which is for public and firefighter safety, is effective through Nov. 15, 2024, unless modified or rescinded sooner.

The public is encouraged to stay safe, observe closures, pay attention to evacuation warnings, and avoid active wildfire areas to give firefighters and first responders the room they need to move heavy equipment and work.

To view the full list of closed recreation sites for the Pyramid and Slate fires, see below: Closed trails include•Bridge to Nowhere•Chimney Peak (Shedd Camp)•Crescent Mountain•Daly Lake•Gordan Peak•McQuade Creek•North Pyramid•Parish Lake•Pyramids•Pyramids Bypass Loop•Riggs Lake•Scar Mountain•South Pyramid Creek•Swamp PeakClosed trailheads include•Blowout Bridge•Bridge to Nowhere•Chimney Peak (Shedd Camp)•Coffin Mountain•Crescent Mountain•Gordan Peak•McQuade Creek•North Pyramid•Parish Lake•Pyramids•Riggs Lake•Scar Mountain•South Pyramid Creek•Swamp PeakClosed campgrounds and recreation sites include•Big Springs Sno-park•Daly Lake Campground and Day Use Area•Maxwell Butte Sno-park•Middle Santiam Wilderness Area•South Pyramid Horse CampForest Service Road (FSR) 2236 will be closed between the FSR 11 and FSR 10 junction and the FSR 2236 and FSR 640 junction. Visitors are encouraged to support firefighters and crews working the Pyramid and the Slate fires by recreating elsewhere. Open campgrounds and recreation sites include•House Rock Campground•Fernview Group Campground•Longbow Organization Campground•Lost Prairie Group Campground•Sevenmile Horse Camp•Santiam Wagon Road trails•Yukwah Group CampgroundFor a full list of recreation site statuses and current conditions visit, https://www.fs.usda.gov/recmain/willamette/recreation To view the full Pyramid and Slate Fire Closure Order and other Forest closure orders, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/willamette/alerts-notices Please be aware of current restrictions before you head out into the forest and share information with others. As fire restrictions change, information will be available at https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/willamette/fire

Expect Hwy 126 Closures For Repaving To Impact Belknap Springs Area

The Oregon Department of Transportation will close parts of Oregon Highway 126 to repave sections of the highway and resurface three bridges. While efforts are being made to minimize disruption, local businesses and residents may see an impact on tourism and daily commutes.

The Oregon Department of Transportation is working near Belknap Springs to re-pave parts of OR 126 and re-surface three bridges along the highway. From August 1 to August 8, parts of 126 will be closed overnight — from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. — and August 20 will be the first day of a 48-hour closure.

ODOT said they recommend checking Trip Check before traveling on Highway 126 and always plan ahead. They recommend using Highway 58 or Highway 20 as a detour route during the closures.

Lane County Gets Grant for Nearly $20 Million To Create Community Centers Shelters For Emergencies

Lane County residents will soon have six more-consistently available spaces in which to take refuge during extreme heat, or smoke events.

The “community resilience hubs” will be located in existing community spaces such as school gyms and libraries.

The project will be paid for with a nearly $20 million grant that Lane County and Lane United Way won from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Regional EPA administrator Casey Sixkiller said the hubs will be part of the county’s emergency response during smoke or extreme heat events, such as the one that broke several temperature records in Eugene this month.

“What Lane County and United Way are doing is helping respond to that,” he said. “Creating community centers that will have clean air, cool air that people can go and be safe.”

The funds will also be used to train and equip volunteers to activate and manage the shelters during emergencies.

The facilities chosen to become hubs include the Senior and Activities Center in Florence, the Fern Ridge Service Center in Veneta, the Fairfield Elementary School Gym in Eugene, the Bob Keefer Center in Springfield, the Willamette Activity Center in Oakridge and the Community Center and Library in Cottage Grove.

According to Lane County, the county and United Way will collaborate with local groups before renovating those buildings.

The hubs will also be stocked with supplies for emergencies and the county and United Way will work with local community groups to make sure there are long-term volunteers who can operate the centers when they are needed most.

Sixkiller said any city, county or tribal government or community group impacted by smoke or extreme heat can apply for a grant to build their own hub.

“This is the first set of announcements, not the last, and there are still more opportunities to apply,” he said.

The EPA is taking applications until November and is offering technical assistance to any local government or community groups seeking funds.

Eugene police are actively searching for two suspects involved in the July 13 shooting death of 16-year-old Fernando Aguirre. Arrest warrants for Athel Morgan, 19, and Jayson Blackwell, 18, were issued by the Lane County District Attorney’s Office on July 26.

Both Morgan and Blackwell are individually charged with one count of unlawful use of a weapon with a firearm. Both were present at the scene of Aguirre’s shooting.

Since the shooting, the Eugene Police Department claimed officers were working to minimize acts of retaliation between two groups of teenagers and young adults after responding to two shootings allegedly related to Aguirre’s death.

One shooting was in the 1500 block of Mill Street where property was struck. Another shooting occurred in the 3600 block of W. 13th Ave. where a 20-year-old victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, according to Eugene Police.

As part of the investigation, detectives identified a suspect involved in the shootings as Lekoff, who was arrested in Springfield and later arraigned in a Lane County Circuit Court for one count of attempted assault in the first degree with a firearm and two counts of unlawful use of a weapon with a firearm.

Lane County Sheriff’s Office Still Seeking Suspect in Homicide

In June, a deceased female was located in the Cottage Grove area who appeared to be the victim of homicide. Lane County Sheriff’s detectives identified the victim as a missing person, Rozaleena Faith Rasmussen, 29, from Cottage Grove. 

Detectives identified the suspect as Anthony Wesley Tyrrell, 31, of Cottage Grove.  A nationwide warrant has been issued for his arrest. Tyrrell is described as a white male adult with brown hair, brown eyes, weighing approximately 165 pounds and standing approximately 5’9” tall. He was last seen with his head shaved and wearing a white shirt, black trench coat, black pants, and black boots. 

Tyrrell is considered armed and dangerous.  Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to call 911 and avoid approaching or contacting him. 

​CALLING ALL ARTISTS!

• Who: Artists who paint and live in Oregon.
• What: Apply for the City of Springfield’s 9th annual UpStream Art storm drain mural painting project. Four artists will be selected and compensated $1,500 for completing custom-designed murals approximately 4-ft. x 6-ft.

Applications are being sought until August 14 for this year’s mural project with four artists selected who will be paid $1,500 each.

The selected artists will paint their murals on September 19 and 20 at four storm drains in the Thurston area of east Springfield.

MORE INFO: https://springfield-or.gov/city/development-public-works/clean-water-and-stormwater/upstream-art/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR094F6k_tR3X5Rb3ZsZRcIsi6dNYOVeV3HL33BIseFxtIGvC2lPOYFJHAA_aem_0XpdE7LOn2ZAXgWJvrUJqQ

“When It Hits The Fan”: A New Podcast by Lane County Emergency Management

Lane County Emergency Management is excited to announce the launch of a new podcast, “When It Hits The Fan,” now available on all major podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

“When It Hits The Fan” is designed to equip listeners with essential knowledge and resources to be prepared and stay safe during a disaster. Whether you’re new to emergency preparedness or a seasoned prepper, the podcast offers can help you face the future with confidence.

“Our goal with ‘When It Hits The Fan’ is to reach community members in a format that’s accessible and engaging,” said Lane County Emergency Manager Tiffany Brown. “We want to provide digestible and actionable information that people can easily incorporate into their daily lives to ensure they are prepared for any emergency. We hope to foster a culture of preparedness and resilience within our community.”

Episodes are share monthly and, so far, include:

• “Welcome! And, what the heck is emergency management?” – An introduction to the world of emergency management.
• “What do you mean we should be two-weeks ready?!” – Practical tips for ensuring your household is prepared for emergencies.

Listen at www.LaneCountyOR.gov/fan. 

About Lane County Emergency Management – Lane County Emergency Management is committed to preparing the community for emergencies and disasters through education, planning, and response coordination.

Get hired at the Oregon State Fair Job Fair August 7th

Hundreds of job opportunities await you at the Oregon State Fair Job Fair, Saturday August 7th at 9am! This is the ideal way to potentially get hired on the spot for openings at the 2021 Oregon State Fair working in Carnival or Security. Our managers will be on hand to hire qualified applicants.

The Job Fair begins at 9am Saturday August 7th in the Pavilion on Sunnyview Avenue and goes until all positions are filled.

Interviews will be in person that day. There’s plenty of free parking. Just enter from Sunnyview Avenue.

Applicants must be 16 or older for games and food positions. Applicants must be 18 or older for carnival ride positions.

Be sure to bring along your picture ID, social security card, or passport. For more information, please contact info@oregonstatefair.org.

 Firefighting efforts this season have been extensive, involving crews and equipment from across the nation—the PNW is a top priority! Despite these efforts, the combination of high temperatures, low humidity, and strong winds continues to pose a critical fire risk across the region. This has led to widespread red flag warnings and evacuation orders affecting thousands of residents this summer.

Fires Continue to Consume Acreage on Oregon

According to news and weather reporter Heather Roberts (of radionewsheather.com)

 “The U-S Forest Service is carefully watching weather conditions, as hundreds of thousands of acres burn in the Pacific Northwest. Ed Hiatt, assistant fire director for the region, says August is starting out hot, dry and windy, with a strong chance of dry lightning. 

Some fires received a little rain this past week, but most incidents east of the Cascades saw little to no moisture. Lightning is most likely in far southern Oregon … expanding Sunday into almost all of central and eastern Oregon and up into central Washington. 

The State Fire Marshal is mobilizing teams to the Telephone Fire, burning 12 miles northeast of Burns, after the Governor declared a conflagration. It started from lightning July 22nd and as of Thursday (Aug 1)  is estimated at nearly 39-thousand acres and 23-percent contained … it now threatens almost 300 homes.”

Weather updates show some relief from triple-digit temperatures, but over the next week virtually no precipitation for central and eastern Oregon.

Most fires are human-caused and accidental. The most common fire causes we respond to are everyday activities that ODF regulates in the summer in an effort to cut down on these types of fire starts. Help prevent wildfires and Keep Oregon Green by following the current regulations: https://swofire.com/public-fire-restrictions/

Organizations are collecting funds and resources for those impacted by Oregon’s wildfires

– The impact of this year’s wildfire season continues to reverberate throughout the state as the number of acres burned reaches 1.2 million.

At this time, the number of acres burned is four times the average when compared to the same point in past seasons. As many as 1,261 fires have burned across the state with more than 100 still active.  

Five megafires, fires that exceed 100,000 acres, are still burning in Eastern Oregon: The Battle Mountain Complex, Lone Rock, Durkee, Cow Valley and Falls fires. These megafires are now between 19% and 99% contained.

Residents in these communities have been deeply affected by the wildfires. As many as 18,000 residents were under a level 1, 2 or 3 evacuation level during the height of the response to date with more than 8,000 still under some type of evacuation warning.  

The full scale of the loss will not be clear for a few months at least. Initial reports show that dozens of people have been injured, and there was at least one wildfire-related death. An air tanker pilot named James Bailey Maxwell, 74, who died in a crash while working in the vicinity of the Falls Fire, north of Burns, on July 25, 2024. 

Initial reports show fires have destroyed as many as 28 homes and 73 structures. Much of the damage has been to grazing land and livestock, heavily impacting the ranching community in eastern Oregon.  

More than 10,000 people are involved in the response including 261 fire crews, 483 engines and 31 helicopters. Local and statewide emergency response departments and agencies are working around the clock to contain the remaining wildfires.

Several organizations are collecting funds and resources for those impacted. The Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) staff have gathered a list and made it available at Wildfire.oregon.gov. 

Some resources include:

• The Oregon Cattlemen’s Association and the Oregon Farm Bureau are collecting monetary donations.  
• Oregon State University is collecting monetary donations, pledges of any in-kind, and donations of hay, feed and transportation.  
• Wildland Firefighter Foundation supports firefighters on the frontlines who have been injured and families of those killed in the line of duty.

OEM and agency partners want to caution the public to beware of scams when donating, and only give to trusted organizations. Scammers often contact their possible victims by telephone, social media, email or in person so be suspicious of direct asks. Also, be cautious if the person asking for donations creates a sense of urgency and won’t let you think about it or donate later. If you want to donate money to support the wildfire recovery effort, it’s best to donate to the organization directly.

OEM has compiled a library of additional recovery resources with information from multiple agencies to help residents during and after of a fire. 

This library includes but is not limited to:

• Basic needs support: List of shelters, food pantries, replace SNAP benefits, medical equipment replacement and vital document replacement
• Stay informed: Sign up for ORAlerts.gov to stay tuned for updates and additional resources.
• Returning home: Assess damages to home, vehicles and property, report damages to local county emergency management office, file an insurance claim. Follow guidelines for safe cleanup because ash contains hazardous materials. How to avoid scams when rebuilding.
• Mental Health: Help is available 24/7 to anyone who is struggling or experiencing a crisis. Call 988 for support statewide or visit Lines for Life. AgriStress Hotline serves those in the farming, ranching, fisheries and forestry communities. Call 833-897-2474 or visit their website.
• Agriculture resources:  
  • OSU Extension Service’s list of resources for those impacted by wildfires in Oregon.
  • Livestock wildfire resources on the Oregon Department of Agriculture’s website.  
  • Oregon Cattlemen’s Association Wildfire Fund Donations page.
  • Oregon Department of Environmental Quality wildfire resource page.
  • USDA Farm Service Agency’s Disaster Assistance Programs and Disaster Assistance Programs At-A-Glance fact sheet.
  • USDA Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool. 

For additional information about current wildfires, response and recovery, go to Oregon Wildfire Response & Recovery. Sign up for ORAlerts.gov to get lifesaving alerts and instructions during emergencies to help you and others stay safe in Oregon.

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It is the mission of Oregon Emergency Management to proactively develop emergency response, risk reduction and disaster recovery programs to better serve Oregonians during times of disaster. OEM prioritizes an equitable and inclusive culture of preparedness that empowers all Oregonians to thrive in times in crisis. The agency leads collaborative statewide efforts, inclusive of all partners and the communities we serve, to ensure capability to get help in an emergency and to protect, mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies or disasters. For more information about the OEM, visit oregon.gov/oem.  

Oregon National Guard Steps Up for Wildfire Crisis

The Oregon National Guard is mobilizing to support wildfire response efforts across the state, with hand crews deployed to Harney County.

On July 31 and August 1, approximately 90 Guard members processed through Joint Reception, Staging, Onward Movement, and Integration (JRSOI) to form hand crews for wildfire response.

Members from the 142nd Wing, 1249th Engineer Battalion, and 1st Squadron, 82nd Cavalry Regiment underwent this process at the Anderson Readiness Center in Salem. Meanwhile, one crew from the 173rd Wing, based in Klamath Falls, conducted their JRSOI at an alternative location.

The Oregon National Guard has also mobilized four aircraft — three HH-60 Black Hawks and one CH-47 Chinook — along with their crews.

Two HH-60s are on standby for medical evacuation, while one HH-60 and the CH-47 are available for fire bucket operations to support statewide firefighting efforts.

Brig. Gen. Alan Gronewold, The Adjutant General of Oregon, emphasized the importance of these mobilizations. “These operations, where Guard members assist Oregon’s local communities during disasters, exemplify why the Oregon National Guard is the military service of choice for Oregonians,” Gronewold said.

At the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) Fire Cache, Guard members received essential firefighting equipment and training, including practice with emergency fire shelters.

Cindy Pacheco, a dispatcher at the ODF Salem Coordination Center, stressed the significance of this training. “The fire shelter deployment practice is extremely important to gain muscle memory in case of an actual entrapment on the fire,” Pacheco explained. “Our firefighters can just act without thinking about how to save themselves in these situations.”

Governor Tina Kotek’s State of Emergency declaration enabled the deployment of four hand crews, each consisting of 22 firefighters, along with additional support personnel.

These teams are initially slated for two-week assignments on the fire lines, providing crucial reinforcement to ongoing firefighting efforts.

However, the actual term of service may be extended or shortened depending on the evolving wildfire situation and operational needs.

The wildfire situation in Oregon remains dynamic and challenging, with Guard members ready to assist where needed to protect Oregon’s communities and natural resources. (SOURCE)

Large wildfires have burned tens of thousands of acres across the PNW, with human activity and lightning being a significant contributing factor. The uptick in human-caused fires, which include those started by campfires and debris burns strains firefighting resources significantly​. Preventing wildfires requires a collective effort from everyone—help mitigate the risk of human-caused wildfires and protect our forests and communities.

Monitoring Fires in Oregon

Incident	Type	State	Incident Size	UpdatedSort ascending
Durkee Fire – ORVAD	Wildfire	Oregon	294690 Acres	12 minutes 14 seconds ago
Winding Waters Complex – OR97S	Wildfire	Oregon	752 Acres	16 minutes 57 seconds ago
Homestead Complex – ORUPF	Wildfire	Oregon	2673 Acres	17 minutes 24 seconds ago
Badland Complex 2024 – ORVAD	Wildfire	Oregon	54563 Acres	28 minutes 31 seconds ago
Crazy Creek – OROCF	Wildfire	Oregon	64288 Acres	41 minutes 20 seconds ago
Microwave Tower Fire – OR95S	Wildfire	Oregon	1311 Acres	43 minutes 43 seconds ago
Falls Fire – ORMAF	Wildfire	Oregon	146250 Acres	44 minutes 5 seconds ago
Lone Rock Fire – ORPRD	Wildfire	Oregon	137222 Acres	48 minutes 9 seconds ago
Adam Mountain – ORUPF	Wildfire	Oregon	11998 Acres	52 minutes 20 seconds ago
Cottage Grove – Lane 1 – OR77S	Wildfire	Oregon	2395 Acres	53 minutes 33 seconds ago
Telephone Fire – ORMAF	Wildfire	Oregon	52130 Acres	59 minutes 53 seconds ago
Pyramid and Slate Fires – ORWIF	Wildfire	Oregon		1 hour 8 minutes ago
Whisky Creek Fire – ORMHF	Wildfire	Oregon	1174 Acres	1 hour 58 minutes ago
Battle Mountain Complex – OR97S	Wildfire	Oregon	181941 Acres	11 hours 41 minutes ago
Courtrock Fire – OR95S	Wildfire	Oregon	20018 Acres	11 hours 56 minutes ago
Oakridge Lightning Fires 2024 – ORWIF	Wildfire	Oregon	10450 Acres	13 hours 28 minutes ago
Diamond Complex – ORUPF	Wildfire	Oregon	6133 Acres	14 hours 2 minutes ago
Ore Fire – ORWIF	Wildfire	Oregon	1766 Acres	14 hours 12 minutes ago
Middle Fork Fire – ORCLP	Wildfire	Oregon	1938 Acres	14 hours 42 minutes ago
Red Fire – ORDEF	Wildfire	Oregon	490 Acres	18 hours 46 minutes ago
Cow Valley Fire – ORVAD	Wildfire	Oregon	133490 Acres	4 days 22 hours ago
Salt Creek – OR710S	Wildfire	Oregon	4102 Acres	1 week 6 days ago
Larch Creek Fire – OR95S	Wildfire	Oregon	18286 Acres	2 weeks 2 days ago

Large Fires in Oregon 8/5/24 8:00am per INCIWEB

Please Help Prevent Wildfires!

In these dry conditions, a single spark can cause a lot of damage. Learn how you can prevent wildfires by visiting the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s wildfire prevention page. 

The Oregon Department of Transportation is grappling with a looming financial crisis, as officials scramble to address a projected budget shortfall of more than $354 million over the next few years

The Oregon Department of Transportation is grappling with a looming financial crisis, as officials scramble to address a projected budget shortfall of more than $354 million over the next few years, KGW reports.

The agency, responsible for maintaining and improving the state’s transportation infrastructure, has been under increasing pressure to find solutions amid rising costs and stagnant revenue streams.

Last year, ODOT narrowly avoided severe cutbacks in winter maintenance due to budget constraints. But the agency says the situation this year is even more dire, with lawmakers and transportation officials bracing for tough decisions ahead.

Governor Tina Kotek is expected to receive ODOT’s proposed budget soon, which is likely to include requests for additional funding to bridge the shortfall. After reviewing it, Kotek will submit her own proposal to the Legislature. State lawmakers, in turn, are considering a package of measures that could include new taxes or fees to bolster transportation funding.

“We want to ensure that our roads and bridges remain safe and well-maintained,” said ODOT communications director Kevin Glenn. “Less snow plowing and reduced maintenance could pose significant risks to public safety and economic activity across the state.”

ODOT’s budget shortfall underscores broader concerns about funding stability for transportation projects across Oregon. The agency’s ability to maintain essential services and infrastructure hinges on securing adequate financial support from state legislators.

Rogue River Boat Collision

DETAILS: On August 4^th, 2024 at 12:39pm, 9-1-1 received a report of a boat collision on the Rogue River at Two Bit Riffle, about 2 miles downriver from Robertson Bridge. 

The collision reportedly involved a private jet boat and a tour boat operated by Hellgate Jetboat Excursions. Injured parties were being taken to the Hellgate River Lodge by boat to be evaluated by medical personnel.

The Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit, Oregon State Police, American Medical Response, Rural Metro Fire and Grants Pass Fire Rescue all responded to the incident.

A total of 5 people were transported by ground ambulances to an area hospital.  Their conditions are unknown at this time. 

The private jet boat sank and boaters should use caution navigating through the area. This investigation is still ongoing and there is no further information at this time. 

Environmentalists, customers raise concerns over new NW Natural hydrogen project to lower emissions

Natural gas is almost entirely methane gas, among the most potent climate-warming greenhouse gases that trap heat in the atmosphere. One-third of global warming is due to human-caused emissions of methane, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (Lynne Terry/Oregon Capital Chronicle)

Oregon’s largest natural gas utility is once again drawing criticism from environmentalists and its customers over attempts to lower emissions by blending what it says is a low-emission fuel into its natural gas supply.

NW Natural launched in June a three-year pilot project that involves blending hydrogen and natural gas at its southeast Oregon facility and sending it to customers. The move has prompted a group of Oregon environmentalists, Portland architects, building contractors, physicians and customers to call on state leaders to stop the project.

Natural gas is almost entirely methane, a potent and planet-warming greenhouse gas that is responsible each year for 40% of Oregon’s greenhouse gas emissions and an estimated one-third of global climate change. Hydrogen, however, can be a zero-emissions fuel depending on how it’s produced. If blended with natural gas, it could lower greenhouse gas emissions from burning natural gas alone, NW Natural said.

But critics say this blending could be dangerous to public health – burning both hydrogen and natural gas in homes has been shown to increase risks for respiratory illnesses. They say NW Natural has not alerted customers, and is delaying its transition away from fossil fuels needed to meet state emission reduction targets.

Environmentalists say the company appears to be reviving its failure in Eugene in 2022, when it scrapped a plan to blend hydrogen into the gas supply after public outcry over its lack of transparency and community engagement. READ MORE: https://www.newsbreak.com/portland-or/3548490268160-environmentalists-customers-raise-concerns-over-new-nw-natural-hydrogen-project-to-lower-emissions

AAA: COVID-19 has lasting deadly impact on traffic safety

Residents in Cottage Grove, Lane County, and across Oregon are learning that that even though the COVID-19 pandemic has subsided, it has left a lasting deadly impact on traffic safety locally and across the nation.

A new study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety (AAAFTS) finds dangerous behaviors such as speeding, not using seatbelts, and impaired driving contributed to a significant rise in fatal crashes compared to the years before the pandemic.

AAAFTS researchers found that 114,528 people were killed in traffic crashes on U.S. roads from May 2020 through December 2022, a 17% jump in traffic deaths (nearly 17,000 additional fatalities) compared to what would have been expected under pre-pandemic trends:

Traffic deaths outpaced forecasts the most for young adults (20-24), with teens (16-19) taking the top spot in 2021.

Men consistently exceeded estimates by 14% to 19%, while women only did so in 2021 (15% increase).

Black Americans, who comprise approximately 12% of the U.S. population, accounted for approximately 34% of the entire rise in traffic fatalities relative to how many would have been expected based on the pre-pandemic trend.

Hispanic Americans, 19% of the U.S. population, accounted for approximately 25% of the increase.

Adults 25 years and older with no education beyond high school exceeded estimates by 12% to 16%

Notably, the new research highlights a disparity in the pandemic’s impact on traffic safety. Black and Hispanic Americans, already disproportionately affected by traffic fatalities, saw even more significant increases from 2020 through 2022. Similarly, those with less education experienced a much sharper rise in fatalities compared to college graduates.

“Our study points to an ongoing disturbing trend of risky driving behaviors, which we noted in previous research earlier in the pandemic,” AAA Foundation President and Executive Director Dr. David Yang said. “There are still far too many road users who lose their lives in preventable crashes. The findings from this latest AAA Foundation study underscore the importance of addressing traffic safety from an equity perspective – communities across the United States must provide safe transportation options to meet the needs of their users.”

Here are key findings in the study:

Risky driving spiked: Speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol remain significant contributors to fatal crashes.

Lack of seatbelt use: The increase in occupant deaths was almost entirely among those not wearing seatbelts.

Fatal crashes across age groups: Drivers and victims of all ages up to 55 saw a significant rise in fatal crash involvement, with men disproportionately affected.

Late-night danger zone: Contrary to initial assumptions, the increase in fatal crashes wasn’t limited to times when the pandemic cleared previously congested daytime roads. Late nights and early mornings saw the most significant spikes.

Unequal impact: The pandemic exacerbated existing disparities in traffic safety. Socially and economically disadvantaged counties and racial and ethnic minorities were disproportionately impacted.

According to the AAA, the research underscores the need for:

Equitable transportation solutions: Providing safe transportation options for vulnerable populations benefits everyone.

Holistic safety approaches: Addressing broader traffic safety issues beyond just the pandemic’s effects.

Safe System framework offers a comprehensive strategy to improve overall road safety.

“Our AAA Foundation research shows that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a lasting negative impact on traffic safety in the U.S., with impaired driving, speeding, and not wearing a seat belt all contributing to a surge in crash fatalities. These behaviors continue long after the pandemic ended,” AAA Oregon/Idaho Public Affairs Director Marie Dodds said. “We have a lot of work to do to provide equitable access to safe transportation for all if we truly have the goal of reducing fatal crashes.”

Research methodology – The research reported here seeks to understand how traffic safety on U.S. roads has changed since the onset of the pandemic by comparing the number and characteristics of traffic fatalities during this period to what would have been expected if the pandemic had not occurred and pre-pandemic trends continued.

Data from the fatal crashes in the decade before the pandemic were used to develop statistical models that were then used to predict how many fatal crashes would have been expected during the pandemic period, without the pandemic.

About the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety – Established in 1947 by AAA, the Foundation for Traffic Safety is a nonprofit, publicly funded 501(c)(3) charitable research and educational organization.

The AAA Foundation’s mission is to prevent traffic deaths and injuries by researching their causes and by educating the public about strategies to prevent crashes and reduce injuries when they do occur.

This research informs the development of educational materials for drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists, and other road users. (SOURCE)

Shooting Near Klamath Union High School On Tuesday At A Youth Soccer Camp — Here is an update in the form of a Media Release from the Klamath Falls Police Department:

On July 30th, 2024, at approximately 2:57 p.m., Klamath 9-1-1 Communications District received a report of a shooting that  occurred at Modoc Field across from Klamath Union High School. The initial report was a man had been shot by another man wearing a face mask, and the shooter had left in a grey sedan towards the downtown area. Law enforcement officials from the Klamath Falls Police Department, Klamath County Sheriff’s Office, and Oregon State Police responded immediately to the scene. They located a man who had been shot and lifesaving measures were immediately administered to the shooting victim until they were relieved by medical personnel from the Klamath County Fire District. The victim was transported to Sky Lakes Medical Center and later to St. Charles Medical Center in Bend, Oregon and is in critical condition.

Local law enforcement began an extensive search for the suspect vehicle to identify and locate the person responsible for this shooting. The Klamath County Major Crime Team was activated, and the investigation is ongoing. The suspect vehicle was found approximately two hours later in the Pilot Travel Center parking lot located at 3817 Hwy 97 North in Klamath Falls. The vehicle was unoccupied and after an extensive search of the area, the shooting suspect was not located. A person of interest in this case did arrive while law enforcement was still on scene, and that person cooperated with investigators. Law enforcement officials continued following up on all available leads throughout the night and a suspect had been developed as a result. The suspect has been identified as 44 years old Andrew Wyatt Gregory of Klamath Falls. His whereabouts are still unknown, and we are requesting the community’s assistance in finding Gregory so he can be held accountable for his actions. Gregory should be considered armed and dangerous. If you see him or know his whereabouts, please do not approach him and immediately call 9-1-1.

The Klamath County Major Crime Team consists of detectives from the Klamath Falls Police Department, Oregon State Police, and the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office. The Klamath County District Attorney’s Office and Klamath Community Corrections also provide support to the team. If any members of the community have additional information regarding this investigation, you are encouraged to call the Klamath Falls Police Department at (541) 883-5336 and contact the lead detective, Det. Witmer. If you want to remain anonymous, you can call our anonymous Tip Line at (541) 883-5334.

Measles outbreak in Oregon continues to spread

The outbreak of 23 measles cases coincides with spreading cases of whooping cough, which have surpassed 400 this year

The measles outbreak that started in mid-June in Marion County has spread to at least 23 residents in three counties.

And it’s probably not over.

“We continue to see cases, and we have not been able to connect them all, suggesting that there are other cases out there,” said Dr. Paul Cieslak, the Oregon Health Authority’s medical director and top immunologist.

Only one person in the outbreak has been vaccinated and two people have been hospitalized, the health authority said. 

Cases of pertussis or whooping cough also are spreading, with seven  cases reported last week, bringing the year’s total to more than 400. The virus has infected people in 13 Oregon counties this year.

With the start of the school year looming, the health authority urged parents to get their kids up to date on their vaccinations.

Vaccine requirements

To see what shots your kids need, check the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s website: https://tinyurl.com/4nrzctnfMeasles and whooping cough vaccines are required for the nearly 550,000 children attending kindergarten through high school in Oregon, though parents can obtain a non-medical exemption if they watch an online training module or talk to a provider and have them sign a certificate.

Cieslak said the measles vaccine is particularly effective: One dose is 93% effective at preventing an infection and two doses are 97% effective.

The measles virus does not mutate significantly the way other viruses like COVID do, Cieslak said.

In 2000, the World Health Organization said it was eradicated in the U.S. But with foreign travel and unvaccinated people, it’s re-emerged. This is the highest number of cases in Oregon for several years. There was only one case last year and none the previous three years, state data shows.

Oregon has traditionally had among the highest unvaccinated rates in the country. In May the health authority said that nearly 9% of the state’s kindergartners had a nonmedical exemption this year, forgoing at least one required shot. That compares with about 8% in 2023 and almost 7% in 2022, marking the second consecutive yearly increase in the unvaccinated rate.

Besides Oregon, there are nearly 170 measles cases in other states, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The outbreak emerged last month. The Oregon Health Authority reported that an adult in Clackamas County developed a rash on June 11 and that a child subsequently got sick as well.

More cases appeared among unvaccinated children who apparently had not been in contact, health officials said. To date, there are eight cases in Clackamas County, 13 people in Marion County and two in Multnomah County, with 10 younger than 10 years, eight teens and five adults.

The disease is highly infectious. It spreads in the air when someone coughs or sneezes and the viral particles can linger in the air for two hours. Symptoms can begin up to three weeks after exposure and can include flu-like symptoms and a rash that appears on the face and spreads to the rest of the body. Patients can develop ear infections, lung infections and diarrhea. The disease can also cause swelling of the brain and be fatal. One of two of every 1,000 cases are fatal.

Two of the people infected in Oregon have been hospitalized. The health authority did not provide any more information about who they were or how severe their symptoms were or whether they’ve been discharged. Nearly 50% of people with measles across the country have been hospitalized this year, sometimes to prevent them from spreading the virus, the CDC said. Eighty-five percent were not vaccinated.

People who are pregnant and not vaccinated, infants younger than 1 and those with weakened immune systems face the greatest health risk from measles and whooping cough.

Whooping cough is more prevalent than measles, with 10,000 cases reported nationwide before COVID hit. During the pandemic, cases dropped as people tried to avoid respiratory infections. But they’re now on the rise, approaching pre-pandemic levels, the CDC said.

In Oregon, Lane County has had the most cases this year – 123 – followed by 77 in Multnomah County and 57 in Clackamas. Cases peaked this year in May, with 115 reported. That dropped to 92 in June. (SOURCE)

Summer wave of COVID-19 cases has yet to subside in Oregon

Oregon health officials say the variant that’s spreading is very contagious, but not as severe as the original virus that was first detected over four years ago.

In the state of Oregon, COVID cases are once again on the rise. Though the state reports nearing a summer peak of cases, health officials said the good news is that cases aren’t rising at an alarming rate like we’ve seen before.

“Four and a half years into this, no one wants to be talking about COVID, but here we are,” said Dr. Dean Sidelinger, Oregon’s top health officer. “Welcome to summer and welcome to COVID. There’s plenty of things we can do to protect ourselves, but right now, there’s plenty of COVID circulating in our community.”

Dr. Sidelinger said that the virus now spreading is a variant of the omicron virus that was discovered more than three years ago. This summer, state health officials are also seeing a spike in cases of FLiRT variants, a series of variants named after the technical names for their particular mutations.

“These omicron variants have proven to be very contagious, but also (do) not cause more severe disease — and that our vaccine, which was developed before the current omicrons variant came out, is still offering some protection in the short term.” Sidelinger said.

Health officials are using various means to track the virus these days, including testing wastewater to determine how prevalent the virus is and what strain of the virus is spreading. Sidelinger said that the state isn’t seeing a rise in hospitalizations due to the virus spreading, but said positive test results have been trending upward for the last few weeks. He said 11.8% of all tests recently are coming back positive.

“In that sense, it’s good that we’re not seeing an increase in hospitalizations, but we know that people who have not been vaccinated and perhaps people who have never been sick before can still get fairly sick,” Sidelinger said.

In southwest Washington, Clark County’s health department said that they, too, have seen an increase in cases recently, but said that things have started to slow down.

Sidelinger said it may be a few more weeks before things slow down in Oregon, going into the fall.

“The indicators of COVID spread in Oregon, as they are in many other states particularly on the West Coast, are still going up, but they’re not going up at a very fast rate. So, hopefully we will start to see a peak and then a coming down over the next several weeks.”

In the fall, the CDC expects to release an updated COVID-19 vaccine for everyone ages 6 months and older. (SOURCE)

SNAP Double Up Food Bucks Benefits for Oregon Residents

You can use Double Up dollars when purchasing eligible items at participating farmers markets across the state. Just bring your SNAP EBT card with you to a participating farmers market and visit the information booth before you begin to shop.

Adapted from the Fair Food Network’s national model, Oregon Double Up Food Bucks makes it easy for low-income Oregonians to eat more fruits and vegetables while supporting family farmers and local economies. Double Up is Oregon’s first statewide incentive program, designed to be convenient for shoppers.

The program doubles the value of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (sometimes called “SNAP” or “food stamps”) benefits at participating farmers markets, grocery stores, and CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) farms so shoppers can bring home more fresh produce.

Double Up is currently offered at over 85 farmers market locations, 35 grocery stores and more than 40 CSA farms across the state — with new locations joining the program each year.

For every $1 in SNAP you spend, you will get $1 of Double Up Food Bucks to spend on more fresh fruits and vegetables, up to $20 per transaction. For example: if you spend $20 in SNAP benefits, you’ll get an extra $20 free that you can use to buy more produce. Learn more at OregonFoodBank.org/DoubleUp.

Drug Price Transparency Program seeks input on prescription increases

Salem – The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation’s (DFR) Drug Price Transparency Program is seeking the public’s input on high prescription drug prices. Consumers are encouraged to report prescription drug price increases on DFR’s website, dfr.oregon.gov/rxdrugprices.

If anyone needs help completing this form, or has questions, they can call the message line at 833-210-4560 (toll-free) and leave a message with the best time to call back. Individuals can also reach DFR by email at x.prices@dcbs.oregon.gov“>rx.prices@dcbs.oregon.gov.

Getting information directly from consumers will help DFR have more accurate information about how consumers are affected by high or increased costs of their prescription drugs. This will help the division inform the Oregon Legislature in DFR’s annual report, which is expected to come out in December. Consumers can also view the data on the DFR website and provide stories for the annual hearing and report.

“We recognize that prescription drug costs are increasing and the impact this has on Oregonians on a daily basis,” DFR Administrator TK Keen said. “Our hope is to get input from the public so we can inform policymakers and researchers alike on prescription drug costs.”

### About Oregon DFR: The Division of Financial Regulation protects consumers and regulates insurance, depository institutions, trust companies, securities, and consumer financial products and services. The division is part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Oregon’s largest consumer protection and business regulatory agency. Visit dfr.oregon.gov and dcbs.oregon.gov.

Volunteers sought for advisory committee on new option for in-home services

The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) seeks volunteers to join an advisory committee to help develop a new option for in-home services. This option will be called Agency with Choice and will launch in 2026.

Through Agency with Choice, older adults and people with disabilities who receive Medicaid-funded long-term services and supports may choose to work with a new type of agency to hire a direct-care worker. This new type of agency will help individuals hire an in-home care provider, complete all the required paperwork, train the provider and pay them. 

Planning for the 2026 launch of Agency with Choice is underway. To support planning efforts, the ODHS Office of Aging and People with Disabilities is seeking volunteers to join the Consumer Advisory Committee on Agency with Choice to help guide the creation of the program. This committee will include individuals who receive Medicaid in-home services and will meet virtually every month.

ODHS is looking for volunteers to serve on the committee who:

• Currently receive Medicaid in-home services from a homecare worker, personal care attendant, or in-home care agency or have received these services in the past;
• Are older adults or adults with a physical disability or behavioral health need;
• Understand the value and potential benefits of in-home services;
• Have reliable internet or phone service for virtual meetings (no travel necessary);
• Will actively participate in discussions and provide feedback; and
• Will be able to consider the needs of all people who receive in-home help.

As many as 15 people will be selected for the committee to represent all parts of the state. People who are interested in joining may apply online at https://forms.office.com/g/JjW1hd5viY.

Applications must be submitted by August 5, 2024, to be considered for membership in the committee. For help completing the application or to ask a question, please send an email to: AWC.Info@odhsoha.oregon.gov.

How to get more information

If you want to learn more about Agency with Choice, please see the “initiatives and outreach” section on our web page: https://www.oregon.gov/odhs/agency/Pages/apd.aspx. Information will be added as it is available.

Oregon Wildlife Agencies Want Your Help Tracking Roadkill

This summer, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Oregon Zoo started asking Oregonians to do their own tracking and upload pictures of roadkill.

“The state wants to get a better idea about where different animals, different species are getting struck and killed by cars,” said Rachel Wheat, the ODFW wildlife connectivity coordinator.

If Oregon’s naturalists can identify roadkill hotspots, then maybe the state can reduce the number of animals killed in interactions with people each year by removing vegetation that attracts wildlife to a specific area or by building a wildlife crossing.

Roadways and vehicular traffic are a significant contributor to fragmentation of habitat and impacts to wildlife, including injury and mortality. The purpose of this project is to improve our understanding of the impacts of roads on Oregon’s wildlife, and to identify roadkill hot spots and vulnerabilities among a diversity of animals, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. This information can help reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions and make roadways safer.

To sign up and for more information visit: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/roadkills-of-oregon

Campfires temporarily banned at most Oregon State Parks due to dry conditions, nearby wildfires

— Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) temporarily banned campfires at most Oregon State Parks due to dry conditions and the strain on firefighting resources from wildfires burning across the state. 

Campfires and open flames are banned at all parks east of the Cascades due to the low humidity and risk of wildfires. They’re also restricted at parks in high-risk areas across the state until conditions improve. Most bans impact parks east of the Cascades and in the valley with some restrictions at select coastal parks.

“We understand that campfires are an important part of the experience at Oregon State Parks. We don’t make the decision lightly to restrict the use of fire, but unfortunately conditions require that response. The decision is made in consultation with our local fire agencies. Thank you for helping us do our part to reduce the risk of any new wildfires,” said JR Collier, OPRD’s deputy of statewide operations.

Campfire restrictions generally ban all “open flame,” but often make exceptions for propane cooking as the flame is contained. Check individual park webpages for details on any restrictions before visiting. Restrictions are listed in alphabetical order in a feature story at stateparks.oregon.gov/ or on the individual park pages. 

OPRD also encourages visitors to know before they go when it comes to the impact of wildfires across the state:

• Several parks have been closed due to wildfires including Battle Mountain Forest State Scenic Corridor, Farewell Bend State Recreation Area, East and West Hatfield Trailheads on the Columbia River Highway State Trail and Ukiah-Dale Forest State Scenic Corridor. Check park webpages at stateparks.oregon.gov/ and search by park.
• Some parks have reduced air quality due to wildfire smoke. Check DEQ’s website for air quality information at www.oregonsmoke.org/
• Several roads and highways have been closed due to wildfires. Please use TripCheck to learn about closures and alternative routes. Relying on GPS might lead drivers into unsafe conditions

For more information about current wildfires around the state, go to the Oregon Department of Forestry’s website: https://www.oregon.gov/odf/fire/pages/firestats.aspx. 

For more information about wildfire prevention, please visit the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s webpage at https://www.oregon.gov/osfm/education/pages/prevent-wildfires.aspx.

Campfires prohibited across BLM’s Northwest Oregon District

– Starting July 23, campfires will be prohibited on all Bureau of Land Management public lands throughout the Northwest Oregon District. BLM leaders encourage all visitors to be aware of active restrictions and closures as hotter, drier weather sets in around the Pacific Northwest.

In addition to fires and campfires, the stronger restrictions also prohibit smoking in vegetated areas; using vehicles in unmanaged vegetated areas; operating a chainsaw; welding, cutting or grinding; or using an internal combustion engine without a spark arrestor. These prohibitions will stay in effect until rescinded.

These level II fire restrictions help reduce the risk of human-caused fires. They build on the BLM’s statewide fire restrictions prohibiting fireworks, exploding targets or metallic targets, steel component ammunition (core or jacket), tracer or incendiary devices, and sky lanterns, which went effect May 24.

Those who violate the prohibition may be fined up to $100,000 and/or imprisoned for up to 12 months. In addition, those found responsible for starting wildland fires on federal lands can be billed for the cost of fire suppression.

For the complete order and more information on seasonal fire restrictions and fire closures, please see www.blm.gov/orwafire.

To learn more about fire careers with BLM Oregon-Washington, please see https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire/state-info/oregon-washington/careers.

One of Oregon’s most adorably iconic seabirds is coming to the front and back of a car near you. The Oregon Coast Aquarium has opened voucher sales for its new tufted puffin license plates.

The design, featuring a tufted puffin floating in the ocean and gazing down at some fish below, was created by the
aquarium’s graphic design and marketing coordinator, Cam Mullins.

Starring a tufted puffin—one of Oregon’s iconic seabirds–funds from the new license plate will benefit both the Aquarium’s animals and their wild counterparts. You can purchase a voucher now and exchange it at the DMV once the physical plates are available. We need to sell 3,000 vouchers to reach the production stage—meaning the sooner 3,000 vouchers are sold, the sooner production begins, and the sooner you’ll have your puffin plates in-hand. Read the full story at aquarium.org/puffin-plate-debut: photo by OCAq’s Jeremy Burke

Tufted puffins are native to Oregon and nest on the rocky coast. The aquarium has a Seabird Aviary that sustains a flock of these sea birds and the profits from the license plates will go to benefit these puffins and their wild counterparts.

The voucher is available for purchase on the aquarium’s website. The cost covers the $40 surcharge fee and the money left over after the deduction of the DMV’s fees will go to support the Oregon Coast Aquarium’s
rehabilitation and conservation efforts. The aquarium is building a new marine wildlife rehabilitation center with
hopes of doubling the number of animal patients it can offer care to. FOLLOW on FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/OregonCoastAquarium

PLEASE Help Prevent Human-Caused Wildfires

• Immediately call 911 to report fires.
• Drones and other unmanned aircrafts are illegal to fly near fires.
• Fireworks, incendiary/tracer ammunition and exploding targets, are prohibited during fire season (May-October).
• Use caution when target shooting. Clear a 20-foot radius around the target by removing all vegetation and rocks.
• Ensure vehicles and trailers are properly maintained
• Make sure chains and other metal parts are not dragging.
• Keep exhaust systems clean and use spark arrestors.
• Do not park on dry grass.
• Carry extra water, shovel, and/or a fire extinguisher with you.
• Ensure your campfire is completely extinguished before leaving your campsite by making sure it is cool to the touch.
• Please don’t smoke and if you do, don’t throw out cigarette butts.
• Please be mindful and think about your actions

To ensure all Oregonians remain safe during the 2024 wildfire season, we urge everyone to stay tuned into these communications channels and follow all official safety guidelines related to air quality and recreation:

Watch Duty app: Download this app on your smartphone to understand where wildfires are in real time as well as monitor air quality and other metrics. https://app.watchduty.org

Northwest Interagency Coordination Center: During fire season, this web-based interactive map is updated daily with current fire perimeters and locations. This website acts as the wildfire resource coordination center for the Bureau of Land Management, US Forest Service, Oregon Dept of Forestry, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Washington Dept. of Natural Resources and the National Park Service. https://gacc.nifc.gov/nwcc/index.aspx

InciWeb the Incident Information System: The federal interagency all-risk incident information management system provides an interactive map with real-time location information on wildfires. https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/

Oregon Department of Forestry Wildfire News: The official wildfire news blog for the Oregon Department of Forestry. Look here for all wildfire news related to state forest lands. https://odffire.com/

Keep Oregon Green: A partnership comprised of statewide and interagency groups working together to promote awareness of the risk and causes of wildfires and how to be prepared in case of a wildfire emergency. https://keeporegongreen.org/

OregonLive Wildfire Map: A project managed by OregonLive that incorporates data from InciWeb, National Interagency Fire Center, Northwest Interagency Coordination Center, Oregon Office of Emergency Management, NOAA into an easy-to-use map tool. https://projects.oregonlive.com/wildfires/map

Oregon Department of Environmental Quality – Air Quality Monitoring Data: A real-time map and cell phone application you can use to track air quality, including wildfire smoke impacts, across the state. Check your app store for OregonAir. https://oraqi.deq.state.or.us/home/map

Purple Air – Air Quality Map System: Real-time air quality information using crowdsourced data and data from EPA air sensors. https://map.purpleair.com/1/mAQI/a10/p604800/cC0…

NOAA High Resolution Rapid Refresh Data Visualization: The High-Resolution Rapid Refresh (HRRR) from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency(NOAA) is an experimental data visualization tool for wildfire smoke. Be sure to turn on the “Vertically Integrated Smoke” layer to see smoke paths. https://hwp-viz.gsd.esrl.noaa.gov/smoke/index.html

Oregon’s Missing Persons

Many times you’ll see postings without case numbers or police contact. There is rarely a nefarious reason why (the nefarious ones are pretty obvious). Usually the loved one tried to call to report their missing person and they are either refused or told to wait a day or two by people who are unaware of SB 351 and the laws that they are bound to when answering the phone. Many people don’t bother calling LE if their loved one is homeless or in transition because they believe LE won’t care. The biggest myth is the 24 hour rule.

In Oregon we don’t have those rules and an officer or person answering the phone is not allowed to decide. The law decides. We have Senate Bill 351 and it states that the police CANNOT refuse a request for any reason and they must begin working on it within 12 hours. The person making the report does not have to be related to missing person either.

Here is SB 351 written by families of the missing here in Oregon in conjunction with Oregon law enforcement officers. This should be common knowledge, please make it this way. https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/…/SB351/Introduced