Rogue Valley News, Monday 7/26 – Redwood Highway Fire Contained, Fatal Crash on Hwy 238 in Jackson County

The latest news stories of interest in the Rogue Valley and around the state of Oregon from the digital home of Southern Oregon, Wynne Broadcasting’s RogueValleyMagazine.com

Monday, July 26, 2021

Rogue Valley Weather

Today– A slight chance of thunderstorms before 11am, then isolated showers and thunderstorms after 11am. Widespread haze. Partly sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Calm wind becoming north northwest around 6 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Tuesday– A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 11am. Widespread haze. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Calm wind becoming west northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Wednesday– Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 98. Calm wind becoming north northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Thursday– Sunny and hot, with a high near 101.

Friday– Sunny and hot, with a high near 103.

LOCAL HEADLINES:

Redwood Highway Fire Contained

The Redwood Highway Fire located along Highway 199 MP 23 south of Selma is now 100% contained following an aggressive attack, continuous overnight work, and day shift mop-ups.

Firefighters were able to complete hazard tree removal and mop-up operations by 2 p.m. on Sunday, and finished a final grid of the fire by 5 p.m. The Redwood Highway Fire burned a total of 6 acres, including numerous spot fires. ODF firefighters will periodically check the area for smoke to ensure against any flare-ups for the next several days.

The Redwood Highway Fire was first reported Saturday, July 24, 2021, just before 6:30 p.m. Multiple agencies responded, including ODF Southwest Oregon District, Illinois Valley Fire District, Rural Metro Fire, Grants Pass Fire District, Applegate Valley Fire District #9, and Rogue River Fire District #1.

With abundant aircraft and ground resources, firefighters were able to quickly establish a strong perimeter. Due to this quick work, the entire incident has been seen through to completion in less than 24 hours.

Firefighting activity prompted the closure of Highway 199 on Saturday night, however, it has since been reopened. A level 1 (BE READY) evacuation notice was put in place by Josephine County Emergency Management for Wild Park Lane and Terrell Way as a precaution; it has since been lifted.

The cause of this fire remains under investigation.

Fatal Crash on Hwy 238 in Jackson County

On Saturday, July 24, 2021 at approximately 8:15 P.M., Oregon State Police Troopers and emergency personnel responded to a single-vehicle crash Hwy 238 near North Applegate Road.

Preliminary investigation revealed a Ford Thunderbird, operated by Dona Powers (62) of Central Point, was eastbound when it left the roadway and crashed. 

Powers sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased. OSP was assisted by Applegate Fire and ODOT. Oregon State Police

Eagle Point Firefighters Rescue Cat Stuck In Tree For Five Days

Early Saturday morning, firefighters from Fire District 3 were called to the scene of a cat being stuck in a tree.

According to Fire District 3, every once in a while they’ll get a call about a cat stuck in a tree. Their usual advice to those callers is to wait a while, remove any cat perceived threats (example: a barking dog nearby) and wait until the cat comes down on it’s own. 

The owner telling Fire District 3 that Shadow had been in the tree for five days with no sign of giving in to his growling stomach and climbing down.

Fire District 3 says they had to work a little bit harder to get ‘Shadow’ the kitty down from a pretty sizable tree.

Instead, fire crews had to use a latter to climb up the tree to rescue Shadow and then proceed to return the cat to his owner. Firefighters say that Shadow was very happy to be reunited with his owner. 

AROUND the STATE of OREGON

WILDFIRE and Weather UPDATES

It has been forty-one days since Portland has received any measurable rain. In Medford, it’s been 33 days. In Klamath Falls, near the Bootleg Fire, it has been 31 days. No rainfall means no relief for the drought conditions throughout the Pacific Northwest, and severe drought leads to an increased risk for fire danger.

At the beginning of July, the US drought monitor indicated that the worst drought level existed in a portion of Central Oregon. However, by July 20th, the area in “exceptional drought” stretches right through the middle of the state into Washington. Parts of Northwest Oregon were also upgraded from moderate to severe and extreme in recent weeks.

Fire crews are making progress on several wildfires burning across Oregon, but crews will be challenged as a stretch of hot weather is forecast throughout the region this week.

Fire crews are urging the public to make fire-safe choices because this environment has little to defend itself with if something were to spark.

Gov. Brown Warns About Future Wildfires

Gov. Brown warned Sunday the state would likely see more devastating wildfires linked to climate change as firefighters continue to battle the mammoth Bootleg Fire, the largest blaze in the United States this year that is still burning near the state’s border with California.

Brown made the comments on CNN’s “State of the Union,” telling host Jake Tapper that an increase in extreme weather, including heatwaves and drought, linked to climate change made it urgently important for wildlife officials to prepare for future blazes.

“The harsh reality is that we’re going to see more of these wildfires,” Brown told Tapper. “They’re hotter, they’re more fierce, and obviously much more challenging to tackle. And they are a sign of the changing climate impacts.”

She continued: “Climate change is here, it’s real, and it’s like a hammer hitting us in the head. And we have to take action.”

Brown added that the federal government had helped support the state as it battled the blaze, but said it would remain a multibillion-dollar issue not just for Oregon, but for adjoining states.

“It’s incredibly important with climate change that we get into these forests and start doing the fitting and harvest and prescriptive burning, so that we can create healthier landscapes that are more resilient, for wildfire,” the governor said Sunday. She later added: “We’re going to need to partner throughout the West to tackle these issues. As you well know, wildfire knows no jurisdictional boundaries.”

Here’s that interview: https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2021/07/25/sotu-brown-full-interview.cnn

BOOTLEG FIRE:

The Bootleg Fire, the largest fire burning in the nation, grew by more than 7,000 acres overnight. According to fire officials, the fire now covers 408,930 acres. Containment once again inched forward from 42% to 46% on Sunday.

More than 2,200 people are battling what has quickly become one of the largest wildfires in Oregon’s history.

A tornado was confirmed on the eastern perimeter of the Bootleg Fire on July 18, 2021. This weather event was confirmed by Derek Williams, a meteorologist working on the Bootleg Fire, with the Medford National Weather Service Forecast Office.

Officials say this weekend crews were able to hold the fire in check above the Winter Rim. Contingency lines and structure protection continue to be improved around Summer Lake and Paisley. However, the fire remains active in Coyote Creek drainage to the north.

“The progress that we have made is due to the continuous, vigilant work by our crews,” said Joe Hessel, Incident Commander for the Oregon Department of Forestry Incident Management Team. “Severe fire weather conditions and extremely dry fuels continue to challenge us on this fire.”

Firefighters were able to improve containment lines on the eastern side of the fire with the removal of smoldering fuels from the fire’s edge. On the west side, crews continue to hold and patrol containment lines. Some Oregon National Guard forces will also be helping as fire managers prepare for suppression repair work to begin.

JACK FIRE:

The fire is currently at 21,503 acres with 57 percent containment. The fire is burning in timber, primarily the understory, with leaf litter and brush. The Jack fire is burning in steep rugged terrain making some areas inaccessible to firefighters and resistant to containment. Fire personnel had another successful day of containing fire activity within control lines north of Hwy 138. Firefighters continue to patrol this area and mop up along containment lines where needed.

South of Hwy 138, crews will resume use of mechanical equipment along the eastern flank to reinforce control lines. On the southeast section of the fire, firefighters improved handline within the Twin lakes area and will conduct assessments today to identify possible strategies to strengthen containment lines. Along the west flank of the fire, crews continue to patrol and mop up.

ELBOW CREEK FIRE:

The Elbow Creek fire is reporting as 22,681 acres and 28 percent contained. More resources will continue to arrive through this evening and tomorrow morning.

Another successful day on the line; all operations went according to plan. Primarily, efforts were focused on mopping up deeper into the fire perimeter and strengthening contingency lines around the fire. Last night’s burn out at the top of Elbow Creek was a great success. Smoke is visible this evening as some large pockets of unburned fuel consume within the Elbow Creek Drainage.

The east side of the fire remains stable and continues to be mopped-up and patrolled. The spot fire that occurred multiple days ago remains in mop-up status as well. The same operational plans are in place for tomorrow.

A fire behavior analyst joined crews in the field today to help evaluate operational plans for the Sickfoot Area. After assessment, overhead has agreed to continue to utilize direct attack up against the fire’s edge. Fire lines will continue to be constructed and strengthened.

The weather continues to be hot and dry, but with more favorable humidity recovery tonight. Lighter winds have also worked in favor of the firefighters reducing chances of long range spotting from flying embers.

BRULER FIRE:

Firefighters continued mop-up activities near the Bruler Fire perimeter. Smoke decreased within the fire perimeter as interior fuel consume and reduce hazard, with only isolated tree torching well inside the control line. The helicopter was not used yesterday, as the fire activity remained low. The helicopter remains available for the Bruler Fire today. Containment is now listed at 44%.

Today, firefighters will continue to improve established contingency line on the west side of the Bruler fire. Work will continue on the contingency line for the next few days, and will be near completion by Wednesday.

As summer progresses, it is important to be ready for fire season. Before a wildfire occurs in your area, create defensible space near your house. Remove flammable vegetation and other combustible material near your home. This includes cleaning gutters, roofs, and removing material under decks. Develop an evacuation plan for your family and assemble an emergency supply kit.

The Willamette National Forest issued an order yesterday banning the use of campfires within the forest boundary. The fire ban includes fires within established campground fire pits. Additionally, vehicles are restricted to established forest roads, except for the Huckleberry Flats and the Santiam OHV areas, which remain open. Members of the public should be careful with any activity that could cause a spark – and a fire.

A large closure area has been established to maintain firefighter and public safety. This closure encompasses large portions of Forest Service lands south of Detroit Lake, west of Highway 22 and north of Highway 20. The closure also includes the Middle Santiam Wilderness, Daly Lake, Tule Lake and the trail network known as the Old Cascade Crest trail system. The closure is posted to the Willamette National Forest webpage. A Bureau of Land Management (BLM) closure area is also in place for lands along the Quartzville Scenic Byway/Quartzville road including Yellowbottom Campground, Old Miner’s Meadow Group Site, and nearby dispersed camping areas. Visit InciWeb for more information about closures in the area.

Teen Arrested Following Rolling Hills Fire, Investigation Ongoing

ROSEBURG, OR– Three juveniles have been identified by Detectives as being present at the origination point of the Rolling Hills Fire which broke out Friday evening and have made one arrest at this time.

DCSO Image

On Friday, July 23, 2021, at approximately 4:35 pm, 9-1-1 dispatchers received multiple reports of a fast moving grass fire in the 900-block of Rolling Hills Road. Multiple agencies responded to the blaze.

Investigators began working to determine the cause of the fire. Three teens were identified as having been in the area immediately prior to the fire starting. They were contacted by detectives and interviewed about the incident.

The teens were determined to have been walking in the area while one of them, a 13 year-old Roseburg teen, was playing with a lighter. The teen had pulled a clump of dead and dry grass from the ground and lit it. It became too hot causing the teen to drop it to the ground, igniting the approximate 20 acre fire that destroyed two homes, multiple outbuildings and four vehicles. The teens attempted to extinguish the fire and stop its spread, but were unable to do so. At least one of the juveniles went to a nearby residence and alerted the homeowner who called 9-1-1.

The teens and their guardians are cooperating with law enforcement. The investigation is ongoing. The 13 year-old, which started the fire was arrested for Reckless Burning.

Detectives are requesting homeowners in the area to review any security camera footage which may assist them in the investigation.

“Detectives are particularly interested in any footage which may show the teens walking to or from the field as well as any footage which may have captured the start of the fire,” Sgt. Brad O’Dell said.

Homeowners who have footage they feel would aid in the investigation may upload it directly to the following web address: https://douglassheriffor.evidence.com/axon/citizen/public/rollinghillsfireDouglas Co. Sheriff’s Office 

COVID UPDATES

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Oregon reports 613 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 2 new deaths

There are two new COVID-19 related deaths in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 2,836, the Oregon Health Authority reported. 

Oregon Health Authority reported 613 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 bringing the state total to 214,869.

The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Baker (1), Benton (10), Clackamas (35), Clatsop (5), Columbia (9), Coos (7), Crook (2), Deschutes (23), Douglas (28), Harney (3), Hood River (1), Jackson (58), Jefferson (9), Josephine (25), Klamath (15), Lane (63), Lincoln (6), Linn (43), Malheur (1), Marion (62), Morrow (5), Multnomah (71), Polk (5), Sherman (1), Tillamook (2), Umatilla (34), Union (11), Wasco (4), Washington (58) and Yamhill (16).   

Delta Variant on the Rise in Oregon

COVID-19 cases are heading in the wrong direction in Oregon as the Delta variant becomes more common in the state.

Doctors say the variant is more contagious than the original virus, and state health officials said during a press conference earlier this week that cases of the variant have increased as well.

Tri-County Health Officer Dr. Jennifer Vines talked about this concerning development and advises anyone who hasn’t been vaccinated yet to get the shot.

Vines says those who have not been vaccinated should still be wearing face masks indoors, however, she stops short of saying if it should be a formal health policy.

When asked if mask mandates could return for everyone in Multnomah County as virus cases increase, Vines says it’s still too early to say but that it “is under discussion.”

Man Missing after Fall on Mount Jefferson

Steven Van Pelt was reported missing on Friday, July 23, 2021, while descending Mount Jefferson, the state’s second-tallest peak. Rescuers have been searching for Van Pelt since Friday to no avail.

A press release from the Linn County Sheriff’s Office indicates Van Pelt was reported missing after he fell among “extreme mountainous terrain.” A witness to Van Pelt’s fall told authorities they lost “sight of Van Pelt after he fell several hundred feet.”

The Linn County Sheriff’s Office press release states rescue efforts have been complicated by the nature of the terrain which is described as “extremely dangerous and requir[ing] technical mountaineers to traverse the mountainside.” The mountain’s “snow, cliffs, large boulders, crevices, and rock scree” have hindered rescuers’ ability to locate Van Pelt.

A number of search and rescue agencies are involved with the search for Van Pelt including Corvallis Mountain Rescue, Eugene Mountain Rescue, Deschutes Mountain Rescue, Portland Mountain Rescue. Helicopters have searched for him from LifeFlight and the United States Army National Guard.

Other agencies are involved due to Mount Jefferson’s proximity to county borders including Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon Emergency Management, Idanha Fire Department, and Detroit Fire Department.

Workplace Safety, Health Training Grants Available

Department of Consumer and Business Services logo

If you have a dazzling idea for a workplace safety or health training program, Oregon OSHA wants to hear your pitch.

The agency is accepting grant applications for the creation of innovative on-the-job safety and health training programs. Applications are due by 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 8. Oregon OSHA encourages unique projects such as mobile apps, videos, or online educational games to engage workers.

The training grants will focus on programs that target a high-hazard Oregon industry, such as construction or agriculture, or a specific work process to reduce or eliminate hazards. Any employer, labor group, school affiliated with a labor group, or nonprofit organization may apply. Applicants may request up to $40,000 per grant project.

Employers are not allowed to use grants to pay for training for their employees. Materials produced by grant recipients become the property of Oregon OSHA. Many of the materials are housed in the Oregon OSHA Resource Center and are available for use by the public. Some materials are available electronically. 

Some examples of past grant projects include:

  • Spanish-language flip charts designed to help prevent heat-related illness among forest workers
  • Creation of safe design guidelines for anchoring systems used as part of logging operations
  • An educational program for nurses to prevent ergonomic-related injuries

The Oregon Legislature launched the Occupational Safety and Health Education and Training Grant Program in 1990. Award recommendations are made by Oregon OSHA’s Safe Employment Education and Training Advisory Committee, a group with members from business, labor, and government. 

Grant application information is available at https://osha.oregon.gov/edu/grants/Pages/default.aspx. For more information, contact Teri Watson at 971-599-9638 or i.a.watson@oregon.gov“>teri.a.watson@oregon.gov.

Oregon OSHA, a division of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, enforces the state’s workplace safety and health rules and works to improve workplace safety and health for all Oregon workers. For more information, visit www.osha.oregon.gov

The Department of Consumer and Business Services is Oregon’s largest business regulatory and consumer protection agency. For more information, go to www.dcbs.oregon.gov. — Oregon Dept. of Consumer & Business Services

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