Rogue Valley News, Wednesday 7/16 – Welcome to the 2025 Jackson County Fair! Heat Advisories, Southern Oregon Wildfire Updates & Other Local and Statewide News Stories

7/16 – 4 am -58 OREGON Wildfires

 4 FIRES in EVACUATIONS –HIGHLAND (536) FIRE  EVAC 1 and 2 #crookcounty 75% containment – 719 ACRES – CRAM (545) FIRE  EVAC 1 2 and 3  0% containment 41,377 ACRES #wascocounty and #jeffersoncounty – ELK FIRE  EVAC 1 and 2#klamathcounty 39% containment2,699 ACRES –  NEIL CREEK  EVAC 1 #jacksoncounty 50% containment256.9 ACRES ——————————————————HOUSEHOLDS IN EVACUATIONS1472 – Evacuation LEVEL 1 1072 – Evacuation LEVEL 2 320 – Evacuation LEVEL 3 ——————————————————MAP TO CHECK EVACUATION LEVELS: Clink link and then Map tab below:  (put in address)https://geo.maps.arcgis.com/…/a6c8f8e58ad642f4813732233…

There are now 15 large wildfires affecting more than 52,000 acres in the Pacific Northwest. Nine of the large fires are in Oregon and six are in Washington. About 4,425 firefighters and support personnel are assigned to these large fires.

The 20,000-acre Cram Fire in central Oregon is the largest in the region. The Cram Fire was human-caused and is burning in grass, brush and timber about 15 miles northeast of Madras, Oregon. A Complex Incident Management Team is arriving later today to manage it.

The Hope Fire in the northeastern corner of Washington is the largest in that state, burning over 7,200 acres of timber and logging slash. The 5,800-acre Western Pines Fire in eastern Washington, along the Spokane River, has burned 21 residences and is threatening dozens more structures.

Meanwhile, the Grizzly Complex of fires – 22 in all in southwest Oregon – is requiring the largest personnel response, with almost 1,300 assigned there. As containment increases among the fires in the complex, resources are being sent to higher priority fires.

Nearly 80% of all fires this season have been attributed to human or undetermined causes; the rest were determined to be started by lightning. A large fire is considered any wildfire that burns more than 100 acres in timber or 300 acres of grassland and brush. As always, for the latest fire information visit the NWCC fire website.

Fire Season INFO

As of July 1, all Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) districts are in fire season. This means that to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires, fire restrictions may be in place where you live or at a destination you plan to visit or recreate.

Here are some links regarding fire info for mainly Oregon.These links are very important and are updated daily.

* Northwest Coordination Centerhttps://gacc.nifc.gov/nwcc/fire_info.php…

* Central Oregon Fire Info Bloghttps://centraloregonfire.org/

* Lane County/Oregon Fire Updates – FB Pagehttps://www.facebook.com/groups/650665385833845

* Oregon Fires 2025 FB pagehttps://www.facebook.com/groups/1481912815460351

* South Central Oregon Fire Management Partnership – SCOFMPhttps://www.facebook.com/SCOFMPFIREINFO

* US Forest Service – Deschuteshttps://www.facebook.com/deschutesnationalforest

* Rouge Weather – THE DAILY WILDLAND FIRE BRIEFINGhttps://www.facebook.com/RogueWeatherNow…

* Wildfire Trackerhttps://projects.oregonlive.com/wildfires/map

* Watch Duty websitehttps://www.watchduty.org/

* Watch Duty FB Page –https://www.facebook.com/watchdutyapp

* Pacific Aerial Firefighting Aircrafthttps://www.facebook.com/groups/344050713692737/

“We have already experienced several large fires in the state this year and anticipate fire behavior to be progressively more volatile. RIGHT NOW is the time to practice fire prevention and preparedness,” said Michael Curran, Oregon Department of Forestry’s Fire Protection Division Chief.

As we move into the Fourth of July and the holiday weekend, it’s important to remember that forests and fireworks DO NOT MIX. Private use of fireworks is not allowed on forest land, which includes all private lands protected by ODF and all other state and federal forest lands in Oregon. Remember to check any additional city and county firework restrictions as well.

Curran said, “Prevention is our number one tool to reduce property loss, firefighting costs, and risk to the lives of our firefighters. We can’t prevent lightning fires, but we can prevent human-caused fires.”

Now is the time to brush up on your wildfire prevention knowledge. Tips include:

• Know before you go. Campfires may be banned or only allowed in approved campgrounds.
• Make sure your campfire is cool to the touch before going to sleep or leaving your site. Don’t forget to Drown, Stir, Repeat. 
• Backyard debris burning either requires a burn permit during fire season or is prohibited altogether. If you burned earlier this spring, go back and check on your debris burn site to make sure nothing reignites due to the heat.
• Don’t flick a cigarette onto the ground. It may be just enough to start a fire.
• Don’t park or idle over dried grass.
• Don’t drag tow chains.
• Check local restrictions and fire danger levels.

ODF protects over 16 million acres of private, county, state, and federal land in Oregon from wildfire. Fire season is declared at the local level when conditions reach a point where the risk of a fire starting and spreading becomes clear. This year, the Southwest Oregon district was the first to declare on June 1, and the North Cascade District was the last to declare on July 1. For more information on how you can help prevent wildfires, visit keeporegongreen.org.

Young Indigenous Kayakers Complete Historic River Journey to the Ocean After Klamath River Dam Removal

In June, a group of indigenous people aged between 13 and 20 set off on an epic expedition, paddling 300 miles from the headwaters of the Klamath River in southern Oregon to its mouth in the Pacific Ocean, just south of Crescent City, California.

For the last century, this journey had been impossible due to a series of hydroelectric dams that disrupted the river’s course. After a long campaign from environmentalists and native peoples living in the river basin, in fall 2024 the last dam was removed – completing what has been described as the largest dam removal in US history.

With the strong belief that native peoples should be the first to make the historic descent down the free-flowing river – since traditionally local tribes used dugout canoes to travel along it – Paddle Tribal Waters was set up by the global organization Ríos to Rivers with a plan to get native children to paddle the full stretch of river

Most of the group had never set foot in a kayak before training began in 2022. But they were quick to learn how to take on the Klamath’s challenging rapids. Overall, 30 young people are involved in the descent, with 15 of the most experienced doing the full journey over a month, while the other half joined for the second, less technical, section.

The Klamath River was once the third-largest salmon-producing river on the West Coast of the US, and native tribes depended on it as a resource. But the dams cut off the upstream pathway for migrating salmon, damaging their livelihoods.

Much of the landscape still holds scars from the dams and reservoirs, and full ecosystem restoration is expected to take many years. But a program is in place to help speed up recovery. Resource Environmental Solutions (RES), the company working on the Klamath River’s restoration, is reshaping river channels, planting billions of native seeds along the riverbanks, and placing downed trees in tributaries to provide crucial cover for fish and wildlife.

In the fall of 2024, the last of the four dams along the river was removed – completing what has been called “the world’s largest dam removal effort” by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Upriver (beyond where the Klamath River technically begins), two smaller non-hydroelectric dams remain, where the paddlers had to disembark and carry the kayaks overland; there are currently no plans to remove them despite an ongoing campaign.

By paddling down the restored Klamath, the group of native children hope to reclaim their ancestral homelands and reconnect with the river. (SOURCE)

As Kotek Scrambles to Save ODOT Union Jobs, Here Are Positions Being Cut and Vacated

The layoffs are slated for the end of July. ODOT would also erase vacant positions.

As Gov. Tina Kotek works the phones in an effort to stave off hundreds of layoffs at the Oregon Department of Transportation July 31, the lists of proposed layoffs and elimination of unfilled vacancies show that the impact of the cuts will hit all across the state, as will the closure of a dozen maintenance stations.

This story was produced by the Oregon Journalism Project, a nonprofit newsroom covering the state.

Here is the list of layoffs by ODOT region and county.

Here are the vacant positions ODOT proposes to eliminate. Government agencies often budget for positions that have gone unfilled either because they have not yet found the right candidate or because there’s no money to fill the position, or in some cases, because the agency prefers to leave the position open and use the money for different purposes.

After the Legislature failed to pass House Bill 2025, a transportation funding package, last month, Kotek, whose last-minute attempts to promote a deal fell short, warned darkly of the consequences of inaction.

“These layoffs constitute an emergency in Oregon’s transportation system that will hurt every part of Oregon,” the governor said July 7. “I have not and will not stop fighting for Oregonians who rely on us to keep our roads safe and people and products moving.”

Speaking on background, some lawmakers say the governor is working on a plan for a special session before Labor Day that would potentially be built around a six-cent gas tax hike, coupled with as-yet unspecified registration or other fee increases. The goal would be to save the ODOT jobs and provide some funding to the cities and counties who collectively get 50% of the gas tax revenue and who were left out of the final version of House Bill 2025—and opposed it for that reason.

Some Republicans proposed cuts to the ODOT budget during the session, so they have little motivation to join a special session. (And some are quietly exploring whether the terms of Measure 113, the 2022 constitutional amendment that prohibits more than 10 unexcused absences, would apply to a special session.)

Any new tax increase Kotek might propose requires a three-fifths supermajority in both chambers, which is exactly the number of Democratic members. Whether all Democrats would be willing to vote for a compromise package is unclear. (SOURCE)

State Chief Information Officer Announces Agreement with InnovateUS to Provide Training to State Employees on Responsible Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence

– Enterprise Information Services (EIS) has partnered with InnovateUS to launch a series of courses to train state of Oregon employees on the responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) as part of our commitment to building an informed and capable public service workforce. InnovateUS, a leading provider of no-cost training, has developed courses that are specific to public sector employees and use practical examples and exercises to train on artificial intelligence and responsible use.

“Generative AI is vastly developing, and this training aligns with the work of the State Government Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council that recognized the future of government depends first and foremost on people, supported by technology” said Terrence Woods, Oregon State Chief Information Officer. “This opportunity will provide our workforce with the knowledge and skills to use generative AI in their work responsibly, securely, and effectively.”

The training is a step towards enabling agencies to educate their teams, so they can appropriately utilize the modern capabilities of GenAI, while also mitigating its potential issues. It supports the goal of being more effective stewards of public resources.

Generative AI technology offers several benefits to both employees and the public by enhancing government efficiency, improving customer service, streamlining processes, and empowering the workforce with the skills and tools necessary to improve the lives of Oregonians.

STATE FORESTS ANNUAL OPERATIONS PLAN FOR TIMBER SALES FINALIZED AFTER ROBUST PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD

– The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) has finalized its Annual Operations Plans (AOP). The plans describe projects planned for state forests in the 2026 fiscal year that began July 1 and runs through June 30, 2026.  These include:

• Planned timber sales for each district.
• Recreation projects, such as the installation of a bridge.
• Other types of forest projects, such as stream enhancement or restoration projects.

ODF received 516 written comments during the public comment period that was open from April 18 to June 3.

“Once again, we received many passionate and constructive comments from the public, representing diverse perspectives and demonstrating a high level of interest and engagement in state forests,” said Nick Palazzotto, ODF’s State Forests Division Deputy Chief.  “The comments help us in the challenging work of trying to balance ODF’s legal obligation to manage state forests for timber production to meet economic goals as well as social and environmental outcomes—a concept referred to as Greatest Permanent Value.”

State forests provide economic, social and environmental benefits, including:

• Outdoor recreation
• Forest education
• Clean water
• Critical fish and wildlife habitats
• Sustainable harvest volumes that produce jobs and revenue that funds vital services in rural counties

The majority of timber sales are on Board of Forestry lands, where about two thirds of the resulting revenue is split with the counties. In turn, the counties share those revenues with special districts that support local schools or provide other essential community services. ODF retains one third of the revenue to fund management of state forests. A small portion of the timber sales are located on Common School Forest Lands and generate revenue for the state’s Common School Fund.

Some comments resulted in edits to specific timber sales while others are addressed in a high-level summary of the comments received highlighting the major themes, topics, and agency responses.

“We read and consider every comment,” said Palazzotto. “However, we do not respond individually to each one. Sale-specific comments are considered by the field and technical specialists and changes are documented in the plans. We also develop a summary with broad categories that capture the high- level comments and provides our responses to the public commentary.”

The comment summary document has the following sections:

• Recreation
• Timber Harvest
• Climate Change and Fire Mitigation
• Young Stand Management
• Aquatic, Water Quality, Wildlife
• Roads and Slopes
• Process and Document Improvement
• Specific Sales
• Out of Scope

“Because we manage state forests for the Greatest Permanent Value, we have to consider how our decisions impact all Oregonians, not just a single commenter,” said Palazzotto. “So even though we made changes to some sales, not everyone will be satisfied with those changes. We recognize that and seek to be as transparent as possible in our decisions.

We know Oregonians care about their forests as we received more than 500 comments this year. Given the high interest in how state forests are managed, ODF will continue to work on improving communications with landowners, neighbors and concerned citizens. Our goal is to raise awareness of our AOP process and how people can connect with us to have their concerns heard.”

The Fiscal Year 2026 Annual Operations Plan documents are available for ODF’s Astoria, Forest Grove, Klamath-Lake, North Cascade, Tillamook, West Oregon and Western Lane districts. These are located on the same webpage as the summary of comments and agency response document.

Staying Informed During a Communications Outage: Best Practices for the Public

Disasters can damage critical infrastructure, leading to temporary outages in cell service, internet, and power. When communication systems go down, it’s vital to be prepared with alternate ways to get emergency information and stay connected. Here’s how you can prepare and respond:

  Have a Battery-Powered or Hand-Crank Emergency Weather Radio

• Why it matters: Emergency radios can receive Emergency Alert System (EAS) broadcasts via AM/FM or NOAA Weather Radio frequencies—even when cell towers and the internet are down.
• Note: Emergency radios do not receive Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) like cell phones do. Tip: Pre-tune your radio to your local emergency broadcast station (e.g., OPB in Oregon or NOAA frequencies).

Turn On WEA Alerts on Your Phone

• Make sure Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) are enabled in your phone’s settings. These alerts include evacuation orders, severe weather warnings, and other urgent notifications.
• WEA messages are sent through cell towers—if cell service is out, WEA alerts will not be delivered. This is why having backup methods like a radio is essential.

Charge Everything in Advance and Have Backup Power

• Charge phones, power banks, laptops, and rechargeable flashlights before fire weather conditions worsen.
• Consider solar-powered chargers or car chargers as backups.
• If you are sheltering in place, a generator (solar or gas powered) is helpful.

Know Your Evacuation Routes in Advance

• Save printed or downloaded evacuation maps in case you can’t access GPS or navigation apps.
• Most mapping services (like Google Maps or Apple Maps) offer the ability to “Make maps available offline.” Download your area in advance so you can navigate even if cell towers or internet access are down.
• When in doubt, call 511 or visit the TripCheck.com website if you have cell service.
• Don’t wait for a notification—if you feel unsafe, evacuate early.

Print or Write Down Critical Contacts and Info

• Phone numbers of family, neighbors, and local emergency contacts.
• Address of evacuation shelters, veterinary services (for pets/livestock), and medical facilities.
• Your own emergency plan, including meeting locations.
• Have copies of vital documents in your go-bag and take video of your property (inside and out) for insurance claims later.

If Calling 9-1-1 Over Wi-Fi or Satellite, Check Your Location Settings

If you call 9-1-1 using Wi-Fi calling or a satellite-connected phone (like an iPhone or Android), your location might not be automatically visible to dispatch. Instead, it may rely on the emergency address saved in your phone’s settings.

• Update this emergency address when you travel or relocate—especially in evacuation zones or rural areas.
• Most importantly, always tell the dispatcher exactly where you are—include your address, landmarks, road names, or mile markers to help first responders reach you quickly.

Sign Up for Alerts Before There’s an Outage

• Register for OR-Alert and your county’s local alert system.
• Follow your local emergency management officials’ and bookmark resources like: wildfire.oregon.gov.

 Prepare for Alert Delays or Gaps

• Know the three levels of evacuation:
  • Level 1 – Be Ready
  • Level 2 – Be Set
  • Level 3 – GO NOW
• If you hear a siren, see a neighbor evacuating, or witness fire behavior increasing—take action even if you haven’t received an alert.

 Be Your Own Info Network

• Check on neighbors, especially seniors or those with disabilities.
• Post printed signs with updates for those passing by.

In rural areas, community bulletin boards or fire stations may serve as local information points.

Support and Restoration in Progress
To help maintain emergency communications during this incident, OEM deployed eight Starlink terminals under the guidance of ESF 2 and the Statewide Interoperability Coordinator (SWIC). A Communications Technician (Jeff Perkins) was also deployed to assess connectivity needs on the ground. These Starlink terminals have been providing service to the Lake County Emergency Operations Center (EOC), Oregon State Police (OSP), Warner Creek Correctional Facility, and will soon support the town of Lakeview, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and the Lakeview Ranger Station. OEM’s Regional Coordinator (Stacey) is also on-site supporting the Lake County EOC. Coordination has been strong across local, state, and private sector partners. *** Update: As of 7/10/25 at 1:47 PM, fiber service has been restored.

Reconnect When Service Returns

• Once communications are restored, check official websites:
  • Oregon.gov/oem
  • Your county emergency management page
  • TripCheck.com for road conditions
• Share verified info—not rumors—on social media or community pages.

 Prepare for Delays in Restoration

• Communication may come back in phases. Damage to fiber lines or cell towers can take time to repair.
• Continue using backup methods and stay alert for updates via radio or in-person notices.

 Final Tip:

In an emergency, CALL 9-1-1 to report life-threatening danger, not for general information. Use local non-emergency numbers or go to physical information points if needed. You can find more tips for preparing in OEM’s Be2Weeks Ready toolkit.

Oregon’s Missing Persons

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