Rogue Valley News, Wednesday 8/4 – Firefighters Continue Progress in Keeping Fires Small Across SW Oregon District, Fire Near Zane Grey Cabin On Rogue River National Recreation Trail

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

Wednesday, August 4, 2021

Rogue Valley Weather

Today– Widespread smoke. Sunny and hot, with a high near 98. Calm wind becoming northwest 5 to 8 mph in the afternoon.

Thursday– Areas of smoke. Sunny, with a high near 86. Light and variable wind becoming northwest 6 to 11 mph in the afternoon.

Friday– Widespread smoke. Sunny, with a high near 89. Calm wind becoming north northwest around 6 mph in the afternoon.

Saturday– Sunny, with a high near 94.

Sunday– Sunny, with a high near 90.

LOCAL HEADLINES:

Firefighters Continue Progress in Keeping Fires Small Across ODF’s SW Oregon District

JACKSON & JOSEPHINE COUNTIES – Firefighters across the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) Southwest Oregon District continued to hold fire lines yesterday and make progress fires across the district.

Several new fires were detected Tuesday across the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) Southwest Oregon District, including incidents outside the district in Douglas County that ODF is currently assisting on. Three fires on the Grants Pass unit were discovered, as well as three on the Medford; that brings the total number of fires since lightning storms began on Thursday to 66. There are 43 fires on the Medford unit side, referred to as the Applegate Complex. On the Grants Pass unit, the remaining 23 fires make up the Apple Foots Complex.

The majority of these fires are located in high elevations on steep terrain, creating additional challenges and safety concerns for firefighters. These factors, along with multiple incidents across the district are slowing down typical containment times, however firefighters are continuing to make slow, steady progress on each incident; this is the best case scenario for as many incidents are active at the same time, with limited resources available. 

The following fires are the largest and most active across the district: 

  • The Buck Rock Fire, located 5 miles north of Trail. It’s currently estimated to be 7 acres, 60% lined and 5% lined. Fire activity increased in the heat on Monday, and a spot fire was discovered up the hill of the main body of the fire. Through multiple helicopter water bucket drops, the spot fire was put out. Overnight, a 20-person hand crew, four engines and a water tender will remain on scene; these resources have a goal of lining the fire 100% by the morning shift change. 
  • The Round Top Fire, located 10 miles northwest of Shady Cove. This fire is putting off a large amount of smoke, however it’s only estimated to be between 15-17 acres, and 75% lined. Fire activity increased during the day; Large Air Tanker (LAT) 103 and two Single Engine Air Tankers (SEAT’s) were able to do several retardant drops to help secure temporary lines in order to allow firefighters to reinforce them. Overnight, four engines and a water tender will remain on scene. Additional resources will replace them in the morning. 
  • The North Fork Anderson Creek Fire, located on Anderson Butte near Talent. It’s estimated to be 2 acres. It’s currently 100% lined and 30% contained. Steep terrain is slowing firefighters down on this incident, however lines are holding. Overnight, two engines will continue mop-up work, with additional resources replacing them in the morning. 

Smoke from wildfires burning in Northern California was heavily present in Jackson and Josephine Counties today. Dispatch centers across the area received multiple calls regarding the hazy air; general smoke information can be found online at https://fire.airnow.gov/.

While firefighters are making excellent progress on multiple incidents, additional fires from this storm may continue to be found in the coming days and weeks. Please report fires by calling 911. 

Additional information about fire season is also available online on the SW Oregon District website, www.swofire.com,  their Facebook page, @ODFSouthwest and their Twitter account, @swofire. Oregon Dept. of Forestry 

Fire Near Zane Grey Cabin On Rogue River National Recreation Trail

Fire crews are responding to several lightning-caused fires along the Rogue River near Winkle Bar and the Zane Grey Cabin. The North Winkle Bar fire, estimated at 1.5 acres, is approximately a quarter-mile north of the Rogue River National Recreation Trail.

Zane Grey’s Cabin at Wrinkle Bar

The Zane Grey Cabin, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was built and used as a retreat by author Zane Grey between 1926 and 1935. The cabin is one of the most popular sites on the Wild and Scenic Rogue River.

Hikers and boaters are advised to use extreme caution and avoid interfering with firefighting activities.

The US Forest Service has deployed a Type 1 Helicopter and a Type 2 helicopter to the incident. ODF has a Type 2 helicopter and air attack responding, along with three engines. Grayback Forestry has a 20-person crew engaged. The firefighters associated with the engines and Grayback were flown into Winkle Bar to engage the fire directly. The US Forest Service Siskiyou Rappellers, a highly trained 21-person initial attack crew, has deployed three firefighters into the incident amid rugged and steep terrain. 

Moving Fraud Identified

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Grants Pass Department of Public Safety is currently working with other local, state and federal agencies to investigate a significant increase in a crime commonly referred to as Moving Fraud. Moving Fraud occurs when citizens are defrauded by false moving companies. These companies engage in criminal acts such as theft of belongings, damage to household goods and/or holding property hostage while demanding extra money from customers.

During these investigations, GPDPS was able to recover approximately $500,000 in household goods belonging to several victims across the Rogue valley and from neighboring states. GPDPS suspects more unreported victims of this scam may exist.

If you or someone you know has recently moved, have not received your delivery after the agreed-upon date and believe they may be a victim of Moving Fraud, we urge you to take the following steps:

1) Make a police report to the local law enforcement agency where you moved from 
2) Report the incident to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMSCA)
3) Compile photos, contracts, and other documents and retain records of any future communications with the moving company or broker

If you are planning to move, please visit the FMSCA website below for information on how to protect your move, learn how to find a legitimate moving company, learn your rights and responsibilities during your move and more.

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/protect-your-move/moving-fraudGrants Pass Dept. of Public Safety

Man Arrested During Bear Creek Greenway Homeless Camp Sweeps

The Medford Police Department arrested a man on the Bear Creek Greenway early Tuesday morning after, the department said, he refused to leave his campsite in accordance with the anti-camping ordinance passed this spring.

According to MPD, 46-year-old Travis Greiner ( also known as “T-Bone”) was arrested at 5:30 a.m. and lodged in the Jackson County Jail for Prohibited Camping, as well as cited for Possession of Methamphetamine. He was released later this morning. His mother spoke out against the arrest.

According to MPD, officers have cleared around 100 camps on the Greenway since the ordinance went into effect. During that time, they have written two tickets and taken one other person to jail.

MPD says usually those living along the Greenway take their things and leave without incident following a visit from officers.

Greiner’s family and friends say that he had a job working at the Best Western, and had been attempting to call attention to the sweeps by refusing to leave his campsite. Last Thursday, Greiner was giving a warning that he would be arrested if he remained.

“It’s not typical. We’ve been engaging this gentleman and trying to get him into services for months,” said MPD Lt. DJ Graham. “What we want to do is see people engage the services and get the help they need. We had a bed available for him, and he just wasn’t wanting to engage that. It’s not what we desire, but in this case, it was what we needed to do so we could go ahead and clean that part of the Greenway.”

AROUND the STATE of OREGON

WILDFIRE UPDATES

This public lands link is super helpful to check before you head outdoors. The Keep Oregon Green website carries ODF’s public use restrictions. Click the link for up-to-date information:

https://keeporegongreen.org/current-conditions/

BOOTLEG FIRE:

A Red Flag Warning is in effect for this afternoon and evening. A Fire Weather Watch is in effect for Wednesday. A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will shortly. Specifically, these conditions include continued warm temperatures, low humidity, and strong winds. Combined, they promote the rapid spread of wildfire and extreme fire behavior that could become life threatening 

Size: 413,762 acres, 647 square miles – 51 miles active fire edge, 272 miles of contained line – Containment: 84%

Out of an abundance of caution and at the recommendation of the Alaska Incident Management Team, Lake County expanded the Level 1 (Get Ready) evacuation boundary to include the area north of Summer Lake. The expanded area extends from Mile Post 73 on Highway 31 north to Picture Rock Pass and east of the highway to include the Ana Subdivision. A Level 2 (Be Set) evacuation remains in place from milepost 73 on Highway 31 south to Monument Rock. A Level 3 (GO NOW!) evacuation remains in place for all areas within and adjacent to the Bootleg Fire perimeter, including Yamsay Mountain, Thompson Reservoir, and the Sycan Marsh to the top of Winter Rim.  

The Bootleg Fire containment continues to advance as firefighting crews mop up, improve fire line, and strengthen contingency lines. Crews are working tirelessly to ensure we are as prepared as we can be for the extreme fire weather forecast for the next couple days. 

Just as firefighters have been preparing for the weather conditions, you should, too. Fire starts are not just from escaped embers and lightning but can also come from a trailer chain dragged on pavement, a hot catalytic converter in contact with dry grasses, or shooting firearms. “Any accidental or negligent release of sparks or heat can result in a fire that quickly gets out of control,” says Kristian Knutson, Fire Prevention Officer in Palmer, Alaska, and incident Public Information Officer. “Be sure to remove combustibles from around the outside of your home, such as firewood, fuel tanks, and gas grills. Keep shrubs and tree limbs away from your house and off the ground.” At this time of year, one less spark could mean one less wildfire. 

MIDDLE FORK COMPLEX:

Twelve individual fires make up the Middle Fork Complex, with seven fires at 100% containment. Four fires make up the northwest section of the Middle Fork complex. The Gales Creek Fire is located south of the Forest Road 18 near the 1835 road and is now 1,268-acres with 0% containment. Heavy equipment will be used to remove vegetation along the 1824 and 220 roads. The six-acre Elephant Rock Fire, which is approximately two miles to the southeast has held at six acres and is 0% contained. On the 143-acre Ninemile Fire, engines and crews will work along the 1834 Road tying in with 339 Road to obtain a solid containment line. With growth of the fire to the east- northeast, firefighters will evaluate containment opportunities. Crews will monitor and patrol the Journey and Symbol Rock Fires, each at 0.1 acre and both at 100% containment.

The 204-acre Kwis Fire is the closest fire to Oakridge and is located south of Forest Road 24 near Salmon Creek. Burnout will occur along established control lines to remove fuel between the fire and the control line. Hose lays are being established along control lines to aid with mop-up and increasing containment. The one-acre Warble Fire, which is 100% contained. Crews will patrol and secure line as needed.

South of Forest Road 19, the two-acre Devils Canyon Fire is 100% contained. Firefighters will continue mop-up and patrol in that area. Southwest of the Hill Creek Reservoir, crews secure solid line and plan to reach patrol and monitor status on the three-acre Packard Fire. That fire is 100% contained. The 78-acre Windfall Fire is now at 80% containment. Crews will continue mop-up efforts. Near the Hills Creek Reservoir, firefighters will patrol and monitor the Way and Larison Cove Fires, also at 100% containment.

SKYLINE RIDGE COMPLEX:

On August 1, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. a lightning storm over southern Douglas County ignited dozens of confirmed wildfires. Collectively, the fires have been dubbed the Skyline Ridge Complex. The fires range from less than an acre to over 600 acres and are burning on a mix of public and private forestland in southern Douglas County, east of Interstate 5. Firefighters from Douglas Forest Protective Association, Oregon Dept. of Forestry, Bureau of Land Management, and the US Forest Service have been aggressively attacking the blazes while providing for public and firefighter safety. The largest fires in the complex include Poole Creek (500-700 ac), O’Shea (100+ ac) and Ike’s Butte (40-60 ac).

Despite high temperatures and low humidity, crews are making progress—getting control lines built around the fires and working toward containment. The suppression strategy is to keep the small fires small and prevent them from turning into larger, more problematic incidents.

Oregon Department of Forestry’s Incident Management Team 1 assumed command of the fire at 6:00 p.m. on August 3, 2021. The Incident Management Team brings added capacity to manage firefighting efforts in multiple locations and the logistics of supporting the firefighters.

“We are happy to be here and lend the district some support,” said Joe Hessel, Incident Commander for ODF’s Incident Management Team 1. “Our goals are to keep these fires as small as possible while keeping everyone safe. Staying safe and healthy also means we’ll be following strict COVID-19 protocols,” said Hessel.
In addition to ODF’s Team taking command of the Skyline Complex, a separate incident management team (PNW Team 8) will be tackling the Devil’s Knob Complex which lies further to the east.

Level 1 “BE READY” Evacuation Advisory Issued for Skyline Ridge Complex

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office has issued Level 1 “Be Ready” evacuation advisory as a result of fires burning within the Skyline Ridge Complex. 

Fire Managers have notified the Sheriff’s Office that fires burning within the Skyline Ridge Complex are moving toward some residential areas on Upper Cow Creek Road. Based on this information, the Sheriff’s Office is instituting a Level 1 “Be Ready” advisory for the following residences: 

  • All homes on Upper Cow Creek Road with addresses starting at 11300 through 18299. This includes all side roads between these two points. For easier reference, the Level 1 “Be Ready” starts just above Galesville Dam and ends just beyond Red Apple Road where the Level 2 “Be Set” starts for the Wildcat Fire.
Skyline Ridge Complex Level 1 BE READY

Level 1 “Be Ready” means: Residents should be aware of the danger that exists in their area, monitor emergency services websites and local media outlets for information. This is the time for preparation and precautionary movement of persons with special needs, mobile property and (under certain circumstances) pets and livestock. If conditions worsen, emergency services personnel may contact you via an emergency notification system.

Residents can opt in to receive emergency alerts based on their address by registering at www.dcso.com/alerts.

An interactive evacuation map can be found at www.dcso.com/evacuations where residents may enter their address to determine what level they may be in.

An incident specific Facebook page and an InciWeb site have been created for the Skyline Ridge Complex and information for the fires will be posted at these locations:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/skylineridgecomplex —  InciWeb:  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7762/Douglas Co. Sheriff’s Office

JACK FIRE/ROUGH PATCH COMPLEX:

Firefighters spent much of Monday locating and combating new lightning starts in and around the Jack Fire and Rough Patch Complex and expect to continue today, fire officials said.“We had quite a day today very active, very busy with new starts,” said John Spencer, operations chief for Northwest Incident Management Team 13 under Brian Gales, which is now managing the Jack Fire, Rough Patch Complex and initial attack for new starts in the area. “There’s still more work to do and we expect more things to pop, but overall we had great successes.”

A morning reconnaissance flight identified 15 new lightning starts resulting from thunderstorms moving through the area Sunday evening. Fire crews began suppression efforts on six of those starts Monday and will begin addressing the remaining fires today. Four starts were successfully contained in and around the southern end of the Jack Fire (https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7605/) and work will continue today on three others.

Unsafe conditions created by standing dead trees and steep ground in the Copeland Creek drainage forced crews to disengage and identify strategies for addressing the eighth ignition, which they will implement today as well. Fire managers will be reassessing the overall objectives for the Jack Fire today due to the locations of these new starts. The fire footprint remains at 23,002. On the Rough Patch Complex (https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7758/), crews continued working along the 3821 Road and the 130 spur near Little Rock staging area to connect the southernmost containment line and preparing line along the 650 Road in the Chimney Rock area and the 3820 Road from the east.

The complex, located 26 miles east of Cottage Grove between Tiller and Glide, was designated July 29 to address multiple lightning starts. A total of 17 fires had burned about 429 acres as of Monday evening.

Fire managers are working with private landowners and timber companies to coordinate the removal of logging equipment and some log decks located within the complex and strategize protection measures for other stockpiles.

Warm weather will continue today and Wednesday, with temperatures in the upper 90s at low elevations (2500 ft.) and 80s at high elevations (4000 ft.). Relative humidity will be in the teens with a 10 percent chance of thunderstorms. Thursday, winds will range from about 6 to 8 mph out of the southeast, with gusts around 13 mph.

ELBOW CREEK FIRE:

Due to the reduced complexity of the Elbow Creek Fire, Oregon Department of Forestry’s Type 1 Incident Management Team 3 will hand the fire over to a smaller Type 3 organization tomorrow morning. The team would like to again thank the communities in the area for their kind hospitality and support during our stay.

The forward spread of the fire has been stopped for several days and stands at 22,960 acres and 95% contained.

The Type 3 organization will be working for the Umatilla and Wallowa-Whitman National Forests, the Vale District of the BLM and the Northeast Oregon District of the Oregon Department of Forestry.

The main responsibility of the new team will be to complete any remaining mop-up, patrol the perimeter, backhaul fire cache supply such as hose, pumps and portable water tanks, and continue suppression repair work.    

The fire camp located at the Stampede Grounds in Elgin will be shut down. All personnel working the south end of the fire will be working out of the main fire camp located about three miles up Promise Road from Highway 82. A spike camp for crews working on the north end of the fire will be located on the 62 road at Fry Meadow Seed Orchard.

Resources working under the team will include eight 20-person crews, nine engines, four water tenders, four dozers and 2 excavators.

Information sources will remain in place for the Elbow Creek Fire, including Facebook and Inciweb. News updates about the fire will be provided as needed. Additional information can be obtained by calling (541) 805-2784 Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

WILDCAT FIRE:

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office has upgraded evacuation notices due to the Wildcat Fire.

The fire is moving toward some residential areas near Upper Cow Creek Road, which is why some are asked to evacuate now. Below are the current evacuation notices:

LEVEL 3 GO

  • All homes on Upper Cow Creek Road with addresses from 20039 to 20700.

Level 3 Go means leave immediately as danger is imminent.

LEVEL 2 BE SET

  • All homes on Upper Cow Creek Road with addresses from 18300 to 20000.

Level 2 Be Set means residents should be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice as there is significant danger in the area. Residents can choose to find a place to stay or gather necessary belongings in case the evacuation notice is upgraded. 

Residents can opt-in to receive emergency alerts based on their address by registering HERE

An interactive evacuation map can be found HERE

Oregon to Receive Nearly $35 Million In Federal Grants For Wildfire Recovery

Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden have announced that nearly $35 million in federal grant funding is headed to five counties in Oregon, including Douglas, to help cover the cost of wildfire debris removal efforts.

Merkley said when the Labor Day fires hit last year, he criss-crossed the state to meet with impacted communities and assess the damage. Merkley said, “It’s impossible to put into words how heartbreaking it is to see the rubble of cherished homes and businesses that got caught in the flames, and it takes real courage to clean up the debris and start anew”. Merkley said he will continue to do all he can to help Oregonians get back on their feet, “…while also addressing the climate chaos that is causing these catastrophic wildfires in the first place”.

Wyden said, “The devastating losses from last year’s fires throughout our state came through in painful and powerful detail from Oregonians who both showed and told me how these blazes destroyed their homes, businesses and communities”.  Wyden said one common theme in Oregonian’s work toward a full recovery and rebound “…is the urgent need to cover the often-punishing costs of removing debris from that destruction”.

Douglas County will receive over $2 million of the funds, to remove debris from 65 homes and structures throughout the county that were destroyed by the Archie Creek Fire. The other counties receiving help include:

*Nearly $12 million for Marion County

*Over $10 million for Jackson County

*Nearly $7 million for Lane County

*Over $3,5 million for Lincoln County

COVID UPDATE:

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Oregon reports 1,575 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 9 new deaths

There are nine new COVID-19 related deaths in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 2,872, the Oregon Health Authority reported at 12:01 a.m. today. 

Oregon Health Authority reported 1,575 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. today, bringing the state total to 223,364.

The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Baker (21), Benton (21), Clackamas (96), Clatsop (19), Columbia (16), Coos (35), Crook (22), Curry (32), Deschutes (42), Douglas (83), Grant (2), Harney (2), Hood River (6), Jackson (253), Jefferson (4), Josephine (41), Klamath (27), Lane (127), Lincoln (11), Linn (43), Malheur (25), Marion (164), Morrow (5), Multnomah (116), Polk (39), Tillamook (9), Umatilla (96), Union (11), Wallowa (6), Wasco (11), Washington (160), Wheeler (4) and Yamhill (26). 

Oregon’s 2,864th COVID-19 death is a 71-year-old man from Douglas County who tested positive on Aug. 1 and died on Aug. 2 at his residence. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed. 

Oregon’s 2,865th COVID-19 death is a 78-year-old man from Douglas County who tested positive on July 30 and died on July 31 at his residence. He had underlying conditions. 

Oregon’s 2,866th COVID-19 death is a 78-year-old woman from Douglas County who tested positive on July 28 and died on Aug. 2 at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 2,867th COVID-19 death is a 70-year-old man from Douglas County who tested positive on July 9 and died on Aug. 1 at Mercy Medical Center. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 2,868th COVID-19 death is a 43-year-old man from Jackson County who tested positive on July 18 and died on July 30 at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center. He had underlying conditions. 

Oregon’s 2,869th COVID-19 death is a 96-year-old man from Jackson County who tested positive on July 20 and died on Aug. 1 at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center. He had underlying conditions. 

Oregon’s 2,870th COVID-19 death is an 82-year-old woman from Josephine County who tested positive on July 26 and died on Aug. 2 at Asante Ashland Community Hospital. She had no underlying conditions. 

Klamath Basin Growers To Get $15 Million Toward Drought Relief

Klamath Basin farmers will have another opportunity to seek aid funding to offset their losses from the current water shortage. The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Monday that it would invest $15 million into a program that will assist growers in the drought-stricken region.

USDA referenced the closure of the Klamath Project’s “A” Canal, which means that no water from Upper Klamath Lake will go toward irrigation this year. The new block grant allows for payments to producers who agree to reduce their irrigation demand. That water then can be used for other means.

“As ongoing drought conditions in the West continue to worsen, we need to find ways to do things differently in order to provide help and assistance to producers, Tribes, and communities,” said Gloria Montaño Greene, USDA’s Deputy Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation. “We recognize that current USDA programs and services are not enough to meet this historic challenge, and this pilot will help us find more tools to add to our toolbox.”

The block grant will go to the Klamath Project Drought Response Agency for distribution to producers. According to KPDRA president Marc Staunton, the organization is still working out the details of how the funds will be deployed. It may be distributed out to producers on all eligible land within the Klamath Project on a per-acre basis, though some land does not qualify.

“Unfortunately, the same as for our ‘non-irrigation’ program, land will not be eligible in districts that the Bureau of Reclamation believes is not in compliance with the 2021 Project operations plan,’ said Mr. Staunton.

The Klamath Water Users Association, which represents the interests of Klamath Project growers, said that this new grant replaces a $10 million program announced in April. There is also a $15 million Bureau of Reclamation program in effect, but KWUA says that together the two programs are “still not nearly enough.”

“Our most important priority is to have water for irrigation so producers can produce,” said KWUA executive director Paul Simmons. “But we have to play the cards we were dealt this year and do the best we can for producers who are under duress.”

Governor Kate Brown also released a statement on Monday applauding the program:

“The Klamath Basin is facing historic challenges from drought conditions that are creating hardships for the people, farms, ranches, communities, and ecosystems of the region. Today’s announcement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture is a great step to help agricultural producers in the region. I appreciate the partnership of Secretary Vilsack and the Biden-Harris administration in helping to relieve hardship in the region, both through this new pilot and ongoing programs.

“What is clear is that, because of the ongoing impacts of climate change on the region, the Klamath Basin will continue to face too many demands for a limited and decreasing supply of water. We must continue to work towards a long-term drought solution for the region, and today’s relief efforts are a down payment toward that goal.”

‘Operation Ship Shape’ Targets Lapsed Motorboat Registrations Around the State

The Oregon State Marine Board will be partnering with 32 county sheriff’s offices and the Oregon State Police, looking for expired motorboat boat registrations as part of a targeted annual “Operation Ship Shape” exercise, Aug. 7-8. 

If you own a motorboat in Oregon, it’s time to check your “OR” numbers on the front of your boat (bow) and make sure you’ve applied your current registration decals. The OR numbers are a boat’s license plate, and registration decals are the tags that tell marine officers if your boat is legally registered and to whom it belongs, similar to motor vehicles. Registrations are valid for two calendar years.

“Oregon’s recreational boating infrastructure is funded entirely by boaters, so it’s really important for every boater out there to be currently registered,” Randy Henry, boating safety program manager for the Marine Board, said. “On Aug. 7 and 8, we’re checking everyone whose decals are expired or numbers are unreadable.”

The Marine Board is funded by registration, title fees, and marine fuel taxes paid by motorized boaters. No lottery, general fund tax dollars, or local facility parking fees are used to fund agency programs. These fees go back to boaters in the form of boat ramps, docks, trailered parking spaces, restrooms, construction and maintenance, and for boating safety marine law enforcement services.

“Any boat that is powered by a motor — electric, gas, diesel, or steam — and all sailboats 12 feet and longer must be currently registered when on the water, even when docked or moored,” Henry said. 

This includes drift boats, inflatable rafts, stand-up paddleboards, or float tubes with an electric motor.

Henry added, “Each boat registration brings in additional funds from motorboat fuel tax and federal boating dollars. Registering a 16-foot boat provides $100.20 of funding, but results in additional matching funds of nearly $190, so this registration fee results in $267 of revenue available to fund facilities and marine enforcement.”

Henry reminds boaters that, if they’ve just purchased their boat or are in the process of registering it, they should be sure to carry the temporary registration and present it to marine officers, just like vehicle registration.

Boaters can renew their motorboat registration online or by visiting their local registration agent. Boaters can print a temporary permit after successfully completing their transaction online. A registration agent will issue a temporary permit for an additional fee. If you need assistance renewing online, please contact the Marine Board at marine.board@oregon.gov or 503-378-8587.

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