The latest news stories of interest in the Rogue Valley and the state of Oregon from the digital home of Southern Oregon, Wynne Broadcasting’s RogueValleyMagazine.com
Friday, August 9, 2024
Rogue Valley Weather
...AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM PDT THIS AFTERNOON... Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has issued an Air Pollution Advisory...in effect until 5 PM PDT this afternoon. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality issued an air quality advisory for Jackson and Klamath counties due to wildfires burning in the region. The DEQ also expects intermittent smoke in Josephine, and eastern Douglas counties through at least Friday afternoon due to smoke from surrounding fires. The wildfire smoke combined with forecast conditions will cause air quality levels to fluctuate and could be at unhealthy levels. Smoke levels can change rapidly depending on the weather and planned burn operations. Smoke can irritate the eyes and lungs and worsen some medical conditions. People most at risk include infants and young children, people with heart or lung disease, older adults and pregnant people. People can take the following precautions to protect their health: - Follow local burn restrictions to prevent deteriorating air quality. - Avoid strenuous outdoor activity during periods of poor air quality. - People with heart or lung problems and young children are especially vulnerable. These people should stay indoors while smoke levels are high. - Use certified High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters in indoor heating, ventilation, cooling and air purification systems. - Avoid using wood-burning stoves and other sources of indoor smoke if possible. For additional information...please visit the web site at https://oregonsmoke.org
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
The 47th Annual Crater Lake Rim Runs Happening This Weekend
Join us in the running of the 47th Annual Crater Lake Rim Runs and Marathon held in beautiful Crater Lake National Park, Oregon, on Saturday, August 10th, 2024 starting at 7:30am. Choose between runs of 6.7, 13.0 miles and The Marathon, or if you are a walker, the 6.7 mile walk. All courses are along the very rim of Majestic Crater Lake and are at altitudes ranging from 5,980 to 7,850 feet above sea level. Be challenged by rugged mountains and breathtaking views.
Runners will make their start at Watchman Overlook on West Rim Drive and run clockwise around Crater Lake on Saturday.
For anyone planning a visit to the park, this means there will be some disruptions to the normal flow of traffic until about 1:30 p.m. Due to road construction on East Rim Drive between Cloudcap Overlook and Phantom Ship Overlook, that section of the road will remain closed to all vehicles.
More information about the event can be found on the Crater Lake Rim Runs website.
White City Oregon lottery winner purchased $1 million ticket with dead mother-in-law’s credit card
Christina Goodenow’s millionaire prospects were tarnished after police learned she used her dead mother-in-law’s credit card to buy a $1 million ticket
An Oregon woman may be stripped of her $1 million lottery ticket after police discovered she allegedly used her dead-mother-in-law’s credit card to buy it.
White City resident Christina Goodenow, 38, may have purchased a winning ticket, but she allegedly did so through illegal means—stealing her deceased relative’s credit card. The winner now faces multiple theft charges along with forgery and possession of methamphetamines, said Oregon law enforcement officials who conducted a search of her home Thursday.
“I’ll be fascinated to see how this shakes out,” Lottery spokesman Chuck Baumann said. “In my 12 years with the Oregon Lottery, this is the first time I’ve encountered something like this.” The suspect is said to have bought the winning ticket Oct. 9 using a credit card that once belonged to her late mother-in-law who died more than a year ago.
The woman traveled to Oregon Lottery headquarters in Salem a few days later on Oct. 12 to accept the prize, opting for the reoccurring payments of $33,500. This was projected to pay out the $1 million grand prize over the course of 20 years. Investigators began their probe in Goodenow’s finances once they learned she’d allegedly used the stolen credit card to buy several other items beside the ticket.
On Thursday, police were said to have found methamphetamine inside the woman’s home but very little money, George said. “Our investigation is still trying to determine what happened to the $33,500,” George said.
If convicted of the charges, Goodenow’s lottery win becomes null and void, police Lt. Tim George said. State lottery officials did not divulge further details because the investigation is ongoing. (SOURCE)
Grants Pass Fire Receives Oregon State Fire Marshal Type 3 Wildland Fire Engine HB7369
Grants Pass Fire has acquired a new Type 3 wildland engine from the Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM). This International cab, wildland Type 3 pumper is designed for rapid wildland fire extinguishment as well as urban response. It comes with a Waterous 1000 GPM pump, an auxiliary pump for pump and roll capabilities, and a 500-gallon water tank, making it suitable for both urban and rural calls. The engine was manufactured by Rosenbauer Emergency Vehicles. OSFM will retain ownership of the apparatus, while Grants Pass Fire will handle housing, staffing, responding, insuring, and maintaining the apparatus for three years. We are currently outfitting the apparatus and undergoing training. We anticipate having it in service and ready to respond to fires very soon. We will make sure to extend an invitation to everyone when this unit is officially prepared for action.
This was made possible through the Oregon State Fire Marshal Engine Program funded by Senate Bill 762, Oregon’s Wildfire Omnibus Bill in 2021. Local agencies had the option to request a Type 6 wildland engine, a Type 3 wildland engine, or a tactical tender. OSFM built a total of 76 apparatus and strategically placed them around the state. Learn more about the program here: https://www.oregon.gov/…/wild…/pages/engine-program.aspx
Seven of these apparatuses are coming to the Rogue Valley. Medford Fire Department, along with Jackson County Fire District 1, will be receiving a Type 6 wildland engine. Type 3 wildland engines will also be allocated to Jackson County Fire District 3, Jacksonville Fire Department, and Ashland Fire Department. Williams Rural Fire Protection District will be receiving a tactical tender.
Joint Task Force Serves Child Porn Search Warrant at Ashland Residence
JCSO Case 24-2380 —- ASHLAND, Ore. – The Southern Oregon Child Exploitation Team (SOCET) joint inter-agency task force served a search warrant today, August 6, after discovering images of child exploitation were downloaded from a residence in Ashland, Ore. Detectives are interviewing possible witnesses and involved parties, and investigations are ongoing.
SOCET served the search warrant this morning just after 8 a.m. at a residence in the 10 block of Pine Street. SOCET began their investigation after receiving a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children which led to subpoenas, followed by the search warrant at the residence. Ashland Police Department and Jackson County District Attorney’s Office assisted with the warrant service.
SOCET was also assisted by Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO), and Southern Oregon High Tech Crimes Task Force (SOHTCTF) investigators. During the warrant, investigators seized digital devices which will be forensically examined by SOHTCTF for further evidence of child exploitation.
SOCET is a joint inter-agency task force that started in June of 2020 to combat child exploitation. The task force consists of investigators from JCSO and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), as well as prosecutors from our local, state and federal law enforcement partners in Jackson and Josephine County. SOHTCTF is a joint inter-agency task force that consists of investigators from JCSO, HSI, Oregon State Police, and Medford Police Department. There is no further information available for release.
Task Force Busts Highway 234 Black-Market Cannabis Grow, Destroys 39K Illegal Marijuana Plants Saving an Estimated 1.5 Million Gallons of Water; Code Enforcement Issues $64K in Fines
Video available for download: https://vimeo.com/995520133?share=copy
IMET Case 24-12261 — RURAL CENTRAL POINT, Ore. – Illegal Marijuana Enforcement Team (IMET) detectives served a search warrant Friday morning, August 2nd, at a black-market cannabis grow in the 5900 block of Highway 234 in rural Central Point. IMET detectives seized approximately 39,000 illegal marijuana plants, $3000 in cash, and two firearms. There was no licensing for any type of cannabis growing, handling, or processing at this location. IMET detained seven people on the property and charges are being referred to the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office.
IMET was assisted by Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) deputies, and Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers. Jackson County Fire District 3 responded to this same property on April 16, 2024, after receiving reports of three large piles of prohibited material had been set on fire.
The Oregon Water Resources Department Enforcement section will issue a Notice of Violation (NOV) to the responsible party for the unauthorized appropriation of water from Snider Creek. This type of water violation is subject to both civil and criminal penalties. Due to the age of the plants, Watermasters estimate that roughly 1.5 million gallons of water was saved by stopping water use at this time.
During the search warrant, Jackson County Code Enforcement responded to the scene and issued a total of $64,000 in fines to the landowner and a known responsible party at the site. Fines were for violations related to solid waste, non-permitted construction of a large pole barn structure, non-permitted electrical installations, and failure to obtain land use approval for marijuana production. The solid waste violations issued as a result of this search warrant were related to plastic materials including PVC piping, plastic sheeting, and other miscellaneous materials that were burned and buried in April of this year.
Code Enforcement had previously cited the landowner for the above ground waste prior to the materials being buried and set on fire. Ashes and residual materials remained near the burn piles which is a violation of the County’s solid waste ordinance. Code Enforcement issued a second citation for failing to properly dispose of those residual materials.
While regulatory agencies investigate permitted cannabis operations, IMET is focusing on the black-market marijuana trade in the Rogue Valley. IMET is a multi-agency task force funded by a grant from the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission. The task force includes personnel from JCSO, Homeland Security Investigations, OSP, Medford Police Department, and the Jackson County District Attorney’s office.
Investigations are open and ongoing with detectives working additional leads. No further information is currently available for release.
Did you get help from FEMA, insurance, or others after the 2020 Almeda and South Obenchain Fires?
https://firebrandcollective.org/harp/
Rogue Valley Humane Society We are very low on cat and almost out of kitten food for our Community Food Bank.
Many pets have benefited from the community’s generosity, and we can’t thank you enough for your kindness.
Historic Lithia Water Fountain Reopens In Ashland
The historic Lithia water fountain in downtown Ashland recently reopened after being closed for months while officials debated its water quality.
The fountain was shut off out of an abundance of caution after the city shared water sample data with OHA and they considered the chemical contaminants inside to be unfit for public drinking system regulation.
OHA found higher than allowed levels of manganese, sodium, boron and barium, as well as a higher than allowed level of turbidity, or the cloudy quality of the water.
With its reopening to the public, many are celebrating its comeback. It is currently reopened in the midst of an assessment by OHA and the city to determine whether it is being used as a historic landmark or as a drinking source.
While it is currently running the assessment of how many people use it will dictate what it is classified as: The requirement for it to be a public drinking system, or true form of public drinking water supply, is if more than 10 people drink the water from the fountain more than 60 days out of the year.
If it meets that criteria then it will be considered for public drinking use and will need to meet the standards set for public drinking systems.
Many residents are not concerned about this, saying the waters flavor proves it to not be a source of drinking water.
Fire season is in full swing, and we have several resources designed to help keep you and your loved ones safe:
Sign Up for Citizen Alert (the City’s primary notification system): Citizen Alert – Sign In (everbridge.net)
Know Your Zone (to help you prepare for an emergency evacuation): medfordoregon.gov/evaczones
Preparedness Tips (to help you plan ahead): medfordoregon.gov/bepreparedDavid Grubbs’ Murder Investigation Remains Active
The Ashland Police Department’s investigation into the murder of David Grubbs on November 19, 2011 remains open and active. Recently two new detectives have been assigned to look into new leads that have come in.
It has been Four Years since Fauna Frey, 45, disappeared in Oregon on a road trip, June 29, 2020, following her brother’s death
PART 2 – Newsweek Podcast Focusing on The Disappearance of Fauna Frey From Lane County
Help Find Fauna Frey #FindFaunaFrey FACEBOOK GROUP
Oregon National Guard Soldiers prepare for deployment to the Middle East
SALEM, Ore. – A mobilization ceremony for the Oregon Army National Guard’s 2nd Battalion, 218th Field Artillery Regiment will be held at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon at 1:00 p.m., on August 9, 2024, as Soldiers prepare for a year-long mobilization.
The unit will be mobilizing as part of Task Force DEFENDER, and will be conducting rocket, artillery, mortar and unmanned drone defense operations in the Middle East. Prior to departing overseas, they will first undergo training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma to enhance their proficiencies on the equipment and systems that they will operate as the primary air defenders that American and Coalition partners rely on for force protection.
Upon completing their training, Task Force DEFENDER will be assigned to Iraq and Syria in support of OPERATION INHERENT RESOLVE, whose mission is to advise, assist, and enable partner forces to secure lasting defeat of terrorist elements across the Central Command Area of Responsibility.
“The Oregon National Guard continues its legacy of simultaneously serving Oregonians with domestic operations here at home while also answering the call for federal mobilizations supporting the United States, said Brig. Gen. Alan R. Gronewold, Adjutant General, Oregon. “This is what makes the Oregon National Guard the military service of choice for Oregonians.”
Attendance for this event is reserved for service members, their families and invited guests. The public can watch the ceremony via live streamed and can be viewed at: www.pacificu.edu/mvs-218
It will also be live streamed on the 41st Infantry Division Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/events/1658604261564488/
Firefighters injured in Single-vehicle Conflagration Response Accident
Press Release from the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s office via Marion County Fire District No. 1:
Today, while on the way to the Town Gulch Fire, a Type 6 apparatus from the Marion County Fire District #1 on the Clackamas County task force rolled over. Two firefighters sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were taken to the hospital for evaluation. An Oregon State Fire Marshal agency representative is with the firefighters and Marion County Fire District #1 Chief Kyle McMann is on the way to support. The cause of the rollover is under investigation. Our thoughts are with the injured firefighters.
The Town Gulch Fire, located east of Baker City, grew several thousand acres last night, threatening hundreds of homes. Oregon Governor Tina Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act and the OSFM Blue Incident Management Team mobilized with four task forces.
Thank you to the those representing Marion County who are responding to help these communities in need. We remain committed to the safety of our personnel, both at home and when responding to help those threatened by wildfire throughout the state.
Oregon leaders call for federal aid for farmers and ranchers impacted by summer wildfires
A helicopter drops flame retardant on the Cow Valley Fire in eastern Oregon on July 12, 2024. (Matt Fisher of Umatilla Task Force/Northwest Interagency Coordination Center)
Gov. Tina Kotek is seeking federal relief for farmers and ranchers in two-thirds of Oregon counties impacted by wildfires and smoke this summer, with the potential to add more counties to the list.
Kotek first wrote to Tom Vilsack, head of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, on July 31, asking for support for crop and livestock farmers who are grappling with the effects of dozens of fires that have burned more than 1.3 million acres this summer. In the days following, Oregon’s congressional delegation and Oregon House Republicans also wrote to Vilsack backing up the Democratic governor’s requests.
“Oregon is currently grappling with severe wildfires that have ravaged our communities, working lands and natural resources. The scale and intensity of these fires demand immediate federal intervention to aid in our state’s recovery efforts,” Oregon’s House Republicans wrote.
Representatives from the U.S. Department of Agriculture did not respond to questions and requests for comment Tuesday.
In her letter, Kotek asked Vilsack for three things. First, to declare a disaster for 23 of Oregon’s 36 counties, allowing farmers and ranchers to apply for special USDA loans and financial assistance programs. Next, she asked for Vilsack to coordinate with the head of the U.S. Forest Service, Randy Moore, to authorize emergency leniency on federal grazing areas, allowing ranchers flexibility about where and when they can graze to accommodate disruptions from wildfires.
Matt McElligott, president of the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association, asked Kotek to further extend her request for aid to the U.S. Department of the Interior, which oversees the Bureau of Land Management. He asked that she request the agency open up any vacant or retired grazing permits so ranchers can move some of their cattle onto the public land. Kotek wrote to the agency’s leader, Deb Haaland, requesting assistance Tuesday.
“You know, there’s over a million acres that have burned, and much of it is rangeland. So those cattle that made it through the fire and got moved off have to have a place to go,” he said
McElligott said he spoke with a rancher who sold off most of his cattle due to the wildfires.
“When you lose all of your grazing ground, you’ve got to find other grazing ground or sell your cattle,” he said. “This isn’t just a right-now problem. When all of your grazing ground burns up, you have no fall feed, you have no winter feed, and you really don’t have any spring feed, because you have to let that grass regrow its roots.”
The last request from Kotek was for Vilsack and Moore to waive rules that require ranchers supply certified weed free hay and feed crops for their animals. Feed crops must still be weed free, according to Kotek’s letter, but waiving the requirement that the feed be certified weed-free will ensure animals are fed and that ranchers don’t turn instead to grazing them on forage that should be kept on the landscape.
“Our communities look to us for leadership and action in times of need,” Kotek wrote to Vilsack. “The timely review and approval of our request will provide critical support to the affected farmers and ranchers, helping them recover and rebuild.”
Counties seeking emergency declarations from wildfire: Baker, Coos, Crook, Curry, Deschutes, Douglas, Gilliam, Grant, Harney, Hood River, Jackson, Jefferson, Klamath, Lake, Lane, Linn, Malheur, Morrow, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa, Wasco and Wheeler (SOURCE)
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.
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.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Microwave Tower Fire – OR95S | Wildfire | Oregon | 1313 Acres | 6 seconds ago |
| Whisky Creek Fire – ORMHF | Wildfire | Oregon | 1447 Acres | 1 minute 16 seconds ago |
| Oakridge Lightning Fires 2024 – ORWIF | Wildfire | Oregon | Acres | 5 minutes 7 seconds ago |
| Porcupine Fire – ORBUD | Wildfire | Oregon | 6491 Acres | 5 minutes 48 seconds ago |
| Battle Mountain Complex – OR97S | Wildfire | Oregon | 182766 Acres | 8 minutes 6 seconds ago |
| Courtrock Fire – OR95S | Wildfire | Oregon | 20019 Acres | 12 minutes 9 seconds ago |
| North Willamette Complex – ORWIF | Wildfire | Oregon | Acres | 15 minutes 45 seconds ago |
| Pyramid and Slate Fires – ORWIF | Wildfire | Oregon | 16 minutes 31 seconds ago | |
| Ore Fire – ORWIF | Wildfire | Oregon | 2221 Acres | 17 minutes 10 seconds ago |
| Middle Fork Fire – ORCLP | Wildfire | Oregon | 4012 Acres | 19 minutes 11 seconds ago |
| Diamond Complex – ORUPF | Wildfire | Oregon | 7629 Acres | 19 minutes 12 seconds ago |
| Lone Rock Fire – ORPRD | Wildfire | Oregon | 137222 Acres | 32 minutes 27 seconds ago |
| Warner Peak – ORFWF | Wildfire | Oregon | 22974 Acres | 40 minutes 57 seconds ago |
| Town Gulch – ORWWF | Wildfire | Oregon | 19251 Acres | 44 minutes 30 seconds ago |
| Cottage Grove – Lane 1 – OR77S | Wildfire | Oregon | 15830 Acres | 48 minutes 33 seconds ago |
| Red Fire – ORDEF | Wildfire | Oregon | 530 Acres | 1 hour 10 minutes ago |
| Telephone Fire – ORMAF | Wildfire | Oregon | 53765 Acres | 1 hour 25 minutes ago |
| Falls Fire – ORMAF | Wildfire | Oregon | 147789 Acres | 1 hour 26 minutes ago |
| Crazy Creek – OROCF | Wildfire | Oregon | 79971 Acres | 1 hour 27 minutes ago |
| Homestead Complex – ORUPF | Wildfire | Oregon | 3384 Acres | 12 hours 12 minutes ago |
| Sandstone Fire – ORMHF | Wildfire | Oregon | 385 Acres | 13 hours 33 minutes ago |
| Winding Waters Complex – OR97S | Wildfire | Oregon | 752 Acres | 22 hours 37 minutes ago |
| Durkee Fire – ORVAD | Wildfire | Oregon | 294265 Acres | 1 day 21 hours ago |
| Adam Mountain – ORUPF | Wildfire | Oregon | 12645 Acres | 3 days 13 hours ago |
| Badland Complex 2024 – ORVAD | Wildfire | Oregon | 54563 Acres | 3 days 14 hours ago |
| Cow Valley Fire – ORVAD | Wildfire | Oregon | 133490 Acres | 1 week 1 day ago |
Large Fires in Oregon 8/9/24 9:00am 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.
Klamath County Announces Grant Program to Help Farmers Battle Grasshopper and Mormon Cricket Infestations
— Klamath County is facing a significant challenge as grasshoppers and Mormon crickets have wreaked havoc on crops, rangelands, and natural habitats. These pesky invaders are threatening the livelihoods of the county’s farmers and ranchers, the food supply, and the overall health of the ecosystem.
In response, the Oregon Legislature has acted by passing SB 5701, Section 408 (2024), along with a Temporary Administrative Order. These measures provide financial assistance for pest management efforts aimed at reducing the impact of these insects on agricultural crops. Klamath County has been granted $100,000 by the Oregon Department of Agriculture to help tackle the problem.
To distribute these funds, the County has set up a reimbursement grant program. A special grant committee has been formed, including representatives from the Klamath Irrigation District, Klamath Drainage District, Van Brimmer Ditch Co., and two at-large citizens. This committee will review applications from affected farmers and ranchers and make funding recommendations to the Board of Commissioners.
Farmers and ranchers can apply for these grants from August 15 to October 31, with the application window closing at 5:00 PM on October 31. Unfortunately, late submissions will not be accepted. The grant committee will meet in November to review the applications and provide their recommendations to the Board of Commissioners who will make the final determinations for payment.
The application can be found online on the Klamath County Grants Website.
While the County recognizes that $100,000 won’t cover all the damage caused by these infestations, they are grateful to be able offer some help to those who need it most.
For more information, please contact the Klamath County Grants Office at 541-851-2264
As new school year looms, health officials urge measles vaccination
Highly effective MMR vaccine the best way to prevent highly infectious virus
PORTLAND, Ore. — With the start of the new school year around the corner – and as a measles outbreak continues in three Oregon counties – health officials are urging parents and guardians to get their children vaccinated against the highly infectious virus before classes begin.
A total of 25 confirmed cases of measles have been reported in Clackamas, Marion and Multnomah counties, all among unvaccinated individuals. Two people have been hospitalized, and there have been no deaths. Ten of the cases are 9 and younger; 10 cases are ages 10 to 19; and five cases are 20 and older.
Marion County has the most cases with 16, followed by Clackamas County with eight and Multnomah County with one.
Paul Cieslak, M.D., OHA medical director for communicable diseases and immunizations, joined Clackamas County Health Officer Sarah Present, M.D., for a media briefing this morning to give an update on the outbreak. A recording of the media briefing is available on OHA’s YouTube channel at this link.
Cieslak said state and county epidemiologists have seen several waves of measles cases since mid-June, “so now about two months of sustained transmission of measles.” It’s the largest measles outbreak the state has seen since 2019, when Oregon experienced 28 cases that were linked to a much larger outbreak in Clark County, Wash.
“Before 2019, you have to go all the way back to the early 1990s to see case counts this high,” Cieslak said. “The reason is we maintained very high vaccination rates and very high population levels of immunity. Unfortunately, we’ve seen an erosion in the percentage of people who are getting vaccinated against measles.”
Since about 2000, an increasing number of parents have chosen nonmedical exemptions from state school vaccination requirements for their children. Before that year, only about 1% of kindergarteners had vaccination exemptions; since then, the number has risen steadily, and during the 2023-2024 school year, the exemption rate reached 8.8%.
“In Clackamas County, as in other Oregon counties, pockets of unvaccinated people raise risk of infection in communities where they live,” Present said. “That’s why the counties reach out to every case that’s been identified and try to determine exactly where they’ve been while infectious.”
Someone with measles can spread the virus up to four days before the tell-tale rash appears, and their symptoms may be mild during that time. As a result, the counties and OHA have been sharing information about specific locations that cases are known to have visited, so “we can let members of the public know they may have been exposed to measles,” Present said.
She noted that since measles is so contagious, an estimated 95% of a population needs to have received two doses of measles vaccine to be able to protect the most vulnerable members of the community via community or “herd” immunity.
Getting the MMR vaccine can also help families avoid the burden of having to isolate at home for several weeks if they are exposed to measles. According to state law, an unvaccinated person exposed to the virus must be excluded from school or child care during the period when they could become sick, which is usually for 21 days after exposure. And this exclusion can be extended if there are more measles cases.
“It’s really an important time to make sure students and their families are up to date on vaccinations as we go into the new school year,” Present explained.
Learn more about measles at https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/DISEASESCONDITIONS/DISEASESAZ/Pages/measles.aspx.
OHA releases annual report on performance of Medicaid care networks
Coordinated care organizations (CCOs) continued to improve access to care for Oregon Health Plan members in 2023
Salem, Ore. – Oregon Health Authority (OHA) released the state’s 2023 annual report on the performance of coordinated care organizations (CCOs), local health networks that administer coverage to Oregon Health Plan (OHP / Medicaid) members. The report found that CCOs generally improved their performance in most categories statewide from 2022 to 2023.
Oregon is unique in providing Medicaid benefits through a coordinated care model, which is designed to deliver local and regional solutions to primary care. Through this design, CCOs receive monetary incentives in exchange for improving their performance on the quality measures outlined in the annual report.
The 2023 CCO performance report included the following findings:
- For children preparing for kindergarten, dental and oral health services rose above pre-pandemic rates. Dental and oral health services were some of the measures most negatively affected by the pandemic. After falling 27% in 2020, CCO statewide performance on preventive dental or oral health services for children ages 1-5 gradually improved each year.
- CCOs mostly improved on behavioral health care measures. Among behavioral health measures, CCOs improved most on age-appropriate screening for alcohol or other substance use, as well as depression screening and follow-up.
- Disruptions in care during the pandemic continued to affect immunization measures. Immunizations for children and adolescents largely held steady in 2023 and have not yet recovered from the pandemic. Evidence shows that vaccine hesitancy grew during the pandemic, which may have contributed to lower immunization rates.
- CCOs increased capacity to address social determinants of health (SDOH). In 2023, OHA’s CCO Quality Incentive Program launched a SDOH screening and referral measure, which aims to ensure that member’s social needs are acknowledged and addressed. CCO statewide performance also improved on the health equity measure related to meaningful language access, which tracks the percent of health care visits where a qualified and certified interpreter was provided. From 2022 to 2023, this percentage increased from 5.6% to 10.7%.
Last year, CCOs earned $326 million for meeting established performance metrics through the CCO Quality Incentive program.
Access the full report here.
Seeking proposals to run Smith Creek Village, other concessions at Silver Falls
SILVERTON, Oregon—Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) is seeking proposals to operate Smith Creek Village retreat center, South Falls Café and two historic ranches at Silver Falls State Park.
Smith Creek Village is a retreat center on the south side of Silver Falls that includes lodging (13 cabins and 4 lodges) and a restaurant with a commercial kitchen, dining room and seating area with lots of natural light
“Silver Falls is one of the crown jewels of the park system, and this is an incredible opportunity to be a part of this breath-taking destination,” said Willamette Valley District Manager Sarah Steele.
The park is one of the most popular in the state with an estimated 1.5 million day-use visits per year and features the nationally recognized Trail of Ten Falls.
In 2021, OPRD signed an agreement with Silver Falls Hospitality to run two services— Smith Creek Village and the historic ranches—and a separate agreement with Oregon Commission for the Blind to run South Falls Café. Both contracts will expire at the end of October, prompting a new request for proposals. The new 10-year contract will include all three business opportunities.
The opportunity includes:
- Smith Creek Village, a retreat at the south end of the park with a restaurant, dining area, and lodging including 13 individual cabins and four group overnight lodges as well as outdoor event space, historic buildings, meeting areas and a commercial kitchen.
- South Falls Café, a popular café near the trailhead for the Trail of Ten Falls with a full kitchen and indoor and patio space at the South Falls Lodge. Concession services at the South Falls Café currently include casual dining, food to go, and snacks for picnicking and hiking.
- The Davidson Ranch and the Foothills Ranch, two large overnight facilities with commercial kitchens for private retreats and group lodging for weddings and other gatherings.
OPRD is looking for a business or individual to run all three opportunities. The deadline to apply is Aug. 30. OPRD will host an open house 1 to 4 p.m. Aug. 16, and 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 17 for prospective concessionaires. Registration is required. Email utler@oprd.oregon.gov“>Winona Butler by 2 p.m. Aug. 14 to register.
Silver Falls is expected to see continued growth with work now underway to develop the North Gateway: a new campground, visitor center and park improvements slated to open in 2026.
The park offers everything from camping, hiking and biking to picnicking, horseback riding and wildlife viewing. Several of the park’s structures date back to the Civilian Conservation Corps established in 1933. The architecture features the now-iconic look of stone facades and timber beams seen at Silver Falls Lodge.
Those who are interested in learning more can contact Contract Specialist Winona Butler at utler@oprd.oregon.gov“>winona.butler@oprd.oregon.gov or go OPRD’s website and click on the Silver Falls Concession Opportunity. The deadline to apply is Aug. 30, 2024. — Photos of the properties are available for download.
Act now to secure Summer EBT benefits
(Salem) – As summer begins to wind down, families have a limited window to secure essential food assistance through the new Summer EBT program. The program offers $120 per child to help cover grocery costs when school food programs are not as easy to access. With the application deadline quickly approaching on Sept. 2, 2024, it’s crucial for eligible families to act now.
Thousands of families may be unaware that they qualify for this essential benefit. The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) and the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) are urging families to check their eligibility and apply before the deadline. Remember, once benefits are received, you have 122 days to use them.
Most eligible children received their benefits automatically on June 28, 2024, if their households:
- Participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Participate in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
- Are Oregon Health Plan (Medicaid) members in households with incomes under 185 percent of the Federal Poverty Level
Children in foster care also automatically received Summer EBT.
However, families who did not receive benefits automatically, particularly those with children in Head Start programs that participate in the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Programs, should still apply to determine their eligibility.
Families are encouraged to visit sebt.oregon.gov or contact the Summer EBT Call Center at 833-ORE-SEBT (833-673-7328) to verify their eligibility and apply. ODHS Director Fariborz Pakseresht said, “Making sure children have access to nutritious food throughout the summer is critical. This small action could provide significant support to families in Oregon.”
Interview with ODHS Director Fariborz Pakseresht
Since June 28, 2024, more than 329,000 eligible school-aged children have been issued $39.5 million in Summer EBT food benefits. More than 60 percent of families receiving benefits in the initial issuance were able to immediately use benefits on existing Oregon EBT cards; the rest received new cards in July.
“The results of the Summer EBT launch so far have far exceeded our expectations, but we know that there are many more families out there who have children who may be eligible for the $120 Summer EBT benefit,” ODE Director Dr. Charlene Williams said. “We encourage our schools and Summer Meals providers to have flyers on site to raise awareness and get our families the benefits they qualify for.”
Interview with ODE Director Dr. Charlene Williams
Act now and don’t let this opportunity pass by. Make sure your family receives the assistance it deserves by applying for Summer EBT before Sept. 2, 2024.
To learn more:
- Call 833-ORE-SEBT (833-673-7328). The call center is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific Time.
- Visit sebt.oregon.gov.
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.
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
The Oregon Coast Aquarium New Tufted Puffin Oregon License Plates on Sale
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
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