Oregon Beach News, Tuesday 9/3 – Weather and Wildfire Updates Around the State, Headlines From Over Labor Day Weekend & Other Local and Statewide News…

The latest news stories across the state of Oregon from the digital home of the Oregon coastal cities, OregonBeachMagazine.com

Tuesday, September 3, 2024

Oregon Beach Weather

Small Craft Advisory Issued: 2:24 AM Sep. 3, 2024 – National Weather Service

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 11 AM PDT WEDNESDAY...

* WHAT...North winds 15 to 25 kt with gusts up to 30 kt and steep wind driven seas 6 to 8 ft.

* WHERE...All areas, though the highest winds and seas will be south of Cape Arago.

* WHEN...From 2 PM this afternoon to 11 AM PDT Wednesday.

* IMPACTS...Gusty winds and/or steep seas could capsize or damage smaller vessels.

* View the hazard area in detail at https://go.usa.gov/x6hks

Wildfires continue to produce smoke in the Pacific Northwest. Breathe a little easier by keeping up to date on air quality conditions and concerns at Fire.AirNow.gov.

Seasonal Climate Forecast September – November 2024

https://www.oregon.gov/oda/programs/naturalresources/documents/weather/dlongrange.pdf

ODOT is advising travelers to keep hot cars off dry grass and keep trailer chains from dragging to prevent any new, disastrous fires from sparking. 

Please take precautions to avoid sparking a human-caused fire, be familiar with evacuation levels, and have a go-kit ready in case you need to leave your home.” — We’ve had an unprecedented fire season already. Don’t be that spark that could lead to a tragedy! Check Conditions

Over Labor Day weekend, Oregon had lots of wildfire activity. We also had more lightening in Oregon. We are now at 105 fires vs 75 before the weekend. Many counties were affected that caused larger Wildfires.

LIGHTENING STRIKES FROM YESTERDAY

We’re not out of the woods yet – Please take precautions to avoid sparking a human-caused fire, be familiar with evacuation levels, and have a go-kit ready in case you need to leave your home.”

In either direction, be aware of the traffic impact from wildfires and recovery efforts.  — ODOT is advising travelers to keep hot cars off dry grass and keep trailer chains from dragging to prevent any new, disastrous fires from sparking. 

While tourism is booming, many Oregon Coast residents struggle to stay housed

As Oregon Coast communities are increasingly dominated by tourism, many long-term residents are struggling with housing instability, and homelessness.

Over the last 20 years, Marti Johnson has lived in a few small Oregon Coast towns, but she’s always considered Newport home.

“Coming up here, especially the sign that Newport has that (says) ‘the friendliest?’” she said. “I’ve never met more friendly people in my life.”

Johnson said her teenage son has been in the same school system his entire life, an experience she never had growing up. He’s had opportunities to play sports and be surrounded by a circle of family and friends.

Johnson is an EMT and first aid instructor. She said despite working more and spending less, it gets harder for them to stay housed every year.

“We’ve been so close so many times,” she said. “I’ve had to borrow money from family members I still owe, I’ve had to sell things that were family heirlooms. (such as) my grandpa’s coin collection that he passed down to me. Things I didn’t want to do, I’ve done, to just try and make sure that we had another month.”

Johnson said in the past she’s had to scramble to find housing after previous landlords sold the home she was living in, or raised the rent higher than she could possibly pay.

“Working 40 hours, picking up every extra shift, working overtime, it still doesn’t cut it,” she said. “The struggle is real.”

She said if that happens again, her family may end up on a friend’s couch, or be forced to leave the Oregon Coast altogether.

While tourism has rebounded since the COVID-19 pandemic, many Oregon Coast residents are still struggling.

According to the Lincoln County School District, roughly 15% of their students are experiencing severe housing instability or homelessness. That’s almost four times higher than the state average for school districts.

Karen Rockwell, the executive director of the Lincoln County Housing Authority, said housing instability is rapidly becoming the norm for many on the Oregon Coast — including teachers, healthcare and service workers.

“They are unable to find decent places to live at all, and there are no subsidies for them,” she said.

Some employers, like the City of Newport, have rented apartments for new workers while they search for housing. Others, like Oregon State University, have resorted to building their own accommodations for students and researchers at the Hatfield Marine Science Center. READ MORE: https://www.opb.org/article/2024/09/01/oregon-coast-housing-tourism-boom/?outputType=amp

LATEST UPDATE FROM ODOT CONCERNING HYW 101 NORHT OF MANZANITA ODOT: Valley, No. Coast: Traffic will be flagged through one lane on U.S. 101 four miles north of Manzanita 24 hours a day until repairs to the bridge there can be made. The single-lane traffic flagging is likely to continue into September, so plan extra time into your trip on the north Oregon coast between Cannon Beach and Manzanita, including the Oswald West State Park area. Please watch out for flaggers in the area, as well as traffic slowdowns during this busy holiday travel weekend. Please go to TripCheck before you travel so you are up to date on anything that will affect your travel.

Important Information. US 101 is closed at MP 39 (4 miles north of Manzanita) for inspection of damage to a bridge in the Oswald West State Park area. ODOT advises that if you plan to travel between Seaside and Manzanita today and not the weekend, the nearest detour will be OR 53 and Hwy 26- please refer to www.TripCheck.com for updates.

Nehalem Bay Fire & Rescue —  A beautiful weekend is in store for the long weekend ahead here at the coast.

Exercise patience with added traffic on the roads, wear a life jacket when enjoying water activities and wear sunscreen. We also would like to remind folks to follow the rules/restrictions still in place for burning. For recreational fires- check out our website for specific guidelines. Have a safe and enjoyable Labor Day weekend! Www.nbfrd.org

Florence Police Enforcement Campaigns

The city of Florence Police Department will be conducting a DUII Enforcement campaign.  Beginning this Friday and lasting through the 4^th of September local law enforcement along with partnering agencies will be on the lookout for impaired drivers.  Additionally they will also be conducting another campaign on Monday August 19^th through September 1^st on the use of child restraints and safety belts in motor vehicles. 

The Oregon Department of Transportation has released data that show 37% of traffic fatalities were from the lack of seatbelt use or child restraint use. In 2021 data shows that the leading cause of death in children ages one through 12 were motor vehicle accidents.  1475 children in 2021 were injured in Oregon traffic crashes according to the data. These two campaigns are part of a national push that is funded federally.

The US Department of the Interior Sets Date for Floating Wind Energy Lease Auction

The US Department of the Interior (DOI) has released the scheduled date for the first-ever offshore wind energy lease auction off southern Oregon.

The two areas have the potential to provide up to 3.1 GW of generation capacity and, if fully developed, could power approximately one million homes with clean energy, according to DOI. Areas in the federal waters off Oregon are deemed most suitable for floating wind technology.

The two Wind Energy Areas (WEAs) in Oregon, the Coos Bay WEA and the Brookings WEA, will be auctioned on 15 October 2024 by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM).

The Coos Bay (Lease Area P-OCS 0566) Wind Energy Area offshore Oregon is located approximately 32 miles (approximately 55 kilometres) from shore and covers 61,203 acres (approx. 248 square kilometres).

The bigger Brookings (Lease Area P-OCS 0567) Wind Energy Area spans 133,792 acres (approx. 541 square kilometres) and is located approximately 18 miles (approx. 29 kilometres) from shore. (READ MORE)

Coos Bay Library Events

The Coos Bay Library is kicking off fall with a plethora of events in September! Have you been to see the Native Innovations display? If not come and check it out. This is an interactive display that is interesting and fun for all ages and features some innovations by local tribes! This display will remain up until mid-September.

Did you know that Coos Bay is celebrating its 150th birthday? To help celebrate the library is hosting a scavenger hunt of current and historically famous places here in Coos Bay. Beginning September 6 and running until September 16, solve the clues and take a picture of yourself at each place to win a prize. Bonus prizes will be given to anyone who posts their pictures on social media and tags the Coos Bay Public Library.

Non-Profit Seminar in Florence

If you are on the board of a non-profit here in western Lane County there will be a one day seminar to learn about valuable tools and resources available and to interact with other community members.  The event will be at the Florence Event Center on Friday September 20^th. the sessions will total 4 ½ hours with a lunch and networking. 

Topics will cover effective board management, and a look at board governance plans and transitions.  Siuslaw residents will have a cost of $25.00 to attend.  This includes Florence, Dunes City, Mapleton, Swisshome, and Deadwood.  You can contact Siuslaw Vision as vision@siuslawvision.org for information and a discount code.

Rhododendron Theme Sought

The Florence Area Chamber of commerce has announced that they will be looking for the theme of the 2025 Rhododendron Festival.  Each year ideas are collected from the public with one person chosen for their creativity. 

The theme’s winner will receive a $100 prize for their submission.  Deadline for submissions is September 23^rd.

After the theme is chosen the chamber will then look to the public for a design of the 119^th annual rhododendron Festival Logo.  A form is available on the Florence Chamber website http://florencechamber.com

Southwestern Oregon Community College is offering free GED and Adult Basic Education classes fall term 2024

Coos Bay, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College is offering free GED® and Adult Basic Education classes fall term 2024. These classes prepare individuals to take the GED® exam and update skills to enroll in college or career training programs. Students enrolled in these classes can build a pipeline to enter college, training programs, and jobs in high-demand career areas.

We will have three options for GED® and Adult Basic Education classes next term:

1. MorningGED®Class – Monday through Thursday from 9am-11am
2. AfternoonGED®Class – Monday through Thursday from 12pm-2pm
3. EveningGED®Class – Tuesday through Thursday from 5pm-8pm

All classes will be live and in person on the Coos Campus. The afternoon class will also be live and in person on the Curry Campus.

For students who cannot make it to either campus, classes are offered via Zoom during all three sessions. Fall term starts September 16th and ends November 27th.

To register for orientation and classes, go to https://swoccapce.org/ and click GET STARTED. For questions, please email Adult & Pre-College Education at apce@socc.edu or call 541-888-1593.

 Lincoln City Fall Kite Festival held from September 7-8.

This beloved annual event invites kite enthusiasts, families and visitors of all ages to experience the magic of kites soaring against the picturesque backdrop of the Oregon coast.

The Lincoln City Fall Kite Festival, known for its kaleidoscope of colors and intricate designs, will take place at the D River State Recreation Site. The festival promises a weekend filled with breathtaking kite displays, professional kite flying demonstrations, delicious food vendors and hands-on activities including a kite making workshop.

“Lincoln City’s Fall Kite Festival is a cherished tradition that brings together our community and visitors for a weekend of joy and creativity,” said Stephanie Hull, event and outreach coordinator for Explore Lincoln City.

“This year’s event will also host international fliers coming in from Canada, Australia and Germany so it’s sure to be an extra-special weekend filled with vibrant colors and incredible kite displays.”

The Fall Kite Festival is a free event open to the public. While attendees are allowed to bring their own kite, they will need to be flown at locations away from the festival up or down the beach to allow the professional flyers to display their talents! The event is pet-friendly, so feel free to bring your furry friends on a leash to enjoy the festivities.

Parking will be available at the Lincoln City Community Center and Lincoln City Outlets. A free shuttle service will operate continuously, transporting visitors between these locations and the festival site.

Event Schedule:

Saturday:

• 10:00 am: Announcements – Festival Opening Performance
• 10:00 am – 2 pm: FREE Kite Making Workshop. Donations to benefit Family Promise of Lincoln County.
• 10:00 am – 4 pm: Performances by Featured Fliers
• 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm: Tours of the Big Kite Field
• 4:00 pm – Festival Closes

Sunday:

• 11:00 am – 11:20 am: Kite Flier Memorial 
• 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm: Mega Fly! Enjoy watching all the fliers on the field together!
• 1:30 pm – 4:00 pm: Performances by Featured Fliers
• 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm: Tours of the Big Kite Field
• 4:00 pm – Festival Closes 

ALL DAY: Pixie Fest Carnival Games, proceeds going to Kiwanis Club of Lincoln City

ALL DAY: Walk through the Wind Gardens

ALL DAY: BIG show kites fill the Lincoln City festival sky with color!

ALL DAY: Art Kite Display

For more information on the festival, visit here.

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

OHA 2024 Oregon Beach Monitoring Season

Agency shares list of monitored beaches for May-September

—The Oregon Beach Monitoring Program (OBMP) is kicking off the 2024 beach monitoring season by announcing the list of coastal recreation areas it will be keeping an eye on for bacteria during summer and early fall.

The 24 beaches on the list that the OBMP, based at the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) Public Health Division, is publishing includes some of the most frequently visited beaches in Oregon. It also includes beaches where the program has found bacteria present, or beaches for which local partners and the public have requested monitoring due to potential pollution concerns.

The following are Oregon beaches being monitored during 2024, including beach name, and the city and county in which they are located:

• Seaside Beach – Seaside, Clatsop County
• Cannon Beach – Cannon Beach, Clatsop County
• Tolovana Beach State Park– Cannon Beach, Clatsop County
• Short Sand Beach (Oswald West State Park) – Arch Cape, Tillamook County
• Manzanita Beach – Manzanita, Tillamook County
• Rockaway Beach – Rockaway, Tillamook County
• Twin Rocks Beach – Twin Rocks, Tillamook County
• Oceanside Beach – Oceanside, Tillamook County
• Cape Kiwanda Beach – Pacific City, Tillamook County
• Neskowin Beach – Neskowin, Tillamook County
• D River Beach – Lincoln City, Lincoln County
• Siletz Bay Beach – Lincoln City, Lincoln County
• Beverly Beach – Newport, Lincoln County
• Agate Beach – Newport, Lincoln County
• Nye Beach – Newport, Lincoln County
• Ona Beach (Brian Booth-Beaver Creek State Park) – Seal Rock, Lincoln County
• Seal Rock Beach – Seal Rock, Lincoln County
• Heceta Beach – Florence, Lane County
• Bastendorff Beach – Coos Bay, Coos County
• Sunset Bay State Park Beach – Coos Bay, Coos County
• Hubbard Creek Beach – Port Orford, Curry County
• Harris Beach State Park – Brookings, Curry County
• Mill Beach – Brookings, Curry County
• Crissey Fields State Recreation Site – Brookings, Curry County

Beach monitoring season runs from mid-May to mid-September. Beach advisories are only issued for beaches that are actively being monitored within this sampling window. Other beaches will be investigated for inclusion in the next beach monitoring season.

OBMP works with Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to identify beaches that need monitoring based on several established criteria. These criteria include: pollution hazards present; previous beach monitoring data that identify water quality concerns; type and amount of beach use; and public input.

As part of an adaptive sampling plan, beaches and sampling locations are routinely re-evaluated to ensure available resources best protect public health. A copy of DEQ’s beach evaluation is available upon request.

For more information and current beach monitoring conditions please visit: www.healthoregon.org/beach, or contact OBMP at each.Health@odhsoha.oregon.gov“>Beach.Health@odhsoha.oregon.gov or 971-673-0400.

Emergency Volunteer Corps of Nehalem Bay

3 Dead After Small Plane Crashes Into Townhomes in Fairview Near Troutdale Airport

The crash sparked a fire that spread to four of the townhome units, according to fire officials. About 9,000 people lost power for hours due to downed power lines.

Three people are confirmed dead after a small plane with two occupants crashed into a residential area near the Troutdale Airport Saturday morning, striking a set of power transmission lines and then hitting a row of townhomes, setting multiple units ablaze. The twin-engine Cessna 421C crashed at around 10:30 a.m. in Fairview, about 11 miles east of Portland.

Gresham fire officials confirmed Saturday evening that there were at least three fatalities in the incident, but said they could not confirm any other details about who died. The Federal Aviation Administration previously confirmed that there had been two people onboard the plane, and Gresham Fire Chief Scott Lewis said that one townhome resident was unaccounted for.

There were also multiple injuries in the incident, according to Lewis and Multnomah County Sheriff’s Deputy John Plock, but the extent of the injuries and the number of injured people were not known.

Video shot by people at the scene late Saturday morning showed at multiple units on fire in the row of townhomes, with debris strewn in front and visible flames in the upper story of one house and smoke billowing from a window of the other, with a large number of fire personnel responding.

There was a “somewhat large” debris field, Plock said, and there were two main crash areas because some pieces apparently began to break off after the plane hit the power equipment.

The crash side is located near a power transmission line, and video from the scene on Saturday showed multiple wires apparently knocked off of one of the transmission towers. Some of the lines landed in a nearby field and sparked a brush fire, Plock said, although the fire didn’t spread far.

The damage to the lines also caused a power outage; Portland General Electric confirmed that around 9,000 customers in the Fairview area had been impacted. PGE later said service had been restored to all impacted customers as of 3 p.m.

PGE told KGW on Saturday evening that its crews were onsite and working with National Transportation Safety Board officials to safely access the power equipment and assess the damage before beginning repairs. The transmission tower itself was still in place, PGE said; most of the damage appeared to be to the lines.

Lewis said fire crews were first notified of the incident by staff at the Troutdale Airport control tower, who reported a column of smoke west of the airport. Arriving crews found heavy fire in the row of townhomes, initially involving two units but later spreading to impact four in total. 

The incident became a five-alarm fire, Lewis said, in part because the high temperatures on Saturday meant that fire personnel needed to frequently take breaks to avoid overheating. Portland Fire & Rescue and Vancouver Fire Department crews responded in addition to Gresham Fire Department crews.

The crash impact caused structural damage to the building, he added, so fire crews couldn’t safely work inside the building as much as they’d normally be able to in a residential fire, and had to focus more on exterior operations with overhead water from a ladder truck. He said it wasn’t clear if fuel from the plane helped feed the fire, but that the size of the smoke column in the initial reports suggested that it was possible.

A total of five families have been displaced, Lewis said, with the possibility of a sixth displaced family depending on the condition of their unit once fire crews assess it. 

Plock added that volunteers from the Trauma Intervention Program had responded to the site to help the people who were displaced, and the Red Cross later told KGW that the agency had sent team members to scene and that all the affected families had safe places to stay lined up for Saturday night.

The FAA said the NTSB will lead the investigation into the crash, with the FAA also involved. An NTSB spokesperson told KGW that the agency has dispatched two investigators to the site who will document the plane wreckage and then move it to a secure facility for further evaluation.

Anyone who witnessed the accident or has surveillance video or other relevant information is asked to contact witness@ntsb.gov. The NTSB spokesperson said the agency would not discuss the cause of the accident during the on-the-ground investigation phase, and that it will be up to local authorities to release any information about victims or injuries. (SOURCE)

Large wildfires has burned more than a million 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​.

WILDFIRE OUTLOOK FOR SEPT 2024 – DEC 2024 – Looks like Oregon will hopefully end NEW active fires in September based on this prediction. FIRES  in red.

Wildfires have burned more than 1 million acres across the state, making Oregon by far the worst off out of all the states in terms of acres burned this summer.

Governor Kotek issued an emergency declaration on July 12, which allows the Oregon fire agencies to get out-of-state support. She has also issued emergency conflagration declarations for several fires, allowing for more resources to be mobilized.

The details of all major wildfires currently burning in Oregon are listed below, and the details will be continually updated. No fire that is more than 90% contained will be listed unless evacuation orders are in effect. Information about fire acreage and containment percentages is approximate.

24 LISTED-9/3/24 – NEW ACTIVE FIRES  @4 am – with evacuation levels3 Fires are now out!!

The figures below are up to date as of Sept. 2, 2024, unless otherwise noted.

Emergency Conflagration Act invoked for the Copperfield Fire, OSFM mobilizes resources

n Sunday night, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act for the Copperfield Fire east of Chiloquin off Sprague River Road in Klamath County. As of 8:00 Saturday night, the fire was estimated between 1,500 to 2,000 acres. Gusty winds near 40 miles per hour pushed the fire to rapidly grow.

The Klamath County Sheriff’s Office has levels 2 and 3 evacuation notices in place. Those near the fire should follow the sheriff’s office for any changes to evacuation levels.

Southern Oregon is under a Red Flag Warning through tomorrow evening.

“The weather drove this fire, and Oregon will continue to face challenging weather conditions over the next three weeks. Fire season isn’t over yet and I encourage everyone to stay vigilant,” Chief Deputy Travis Medema said. “I cannot thank our incident management teams and task forces headed to this fire enough. They have had a busy season and responded no matter the time, no matter the situation.”

The OSFM Red Incident Management Team and eight task forces are being mobilized to the fire. Two task forces from Lane County and Central Oregon are part of the response and were sent through Immediate Response earlier Sunday evening.

The OSFM Red Incident Management Team will be briefed Monday at 10 a.m. and will be in unified command with the Oregon Department of Forestry Incident Management Team 3.

Level 3 evacuations in place as high winds fuel rapid growth of Copperfield Fire near Chiloquin. For the latest on the fire, please follow the South-Central Oregon Fire Management Partnership.

From Klamath County School District: Because of uncertain fire conditions and air quality issues related to the Copperfield Fire, Chiloquin Schools will be closed today, Sept. 3, 2024. All after-school activities are canceled. The Klamath County School District will update families later today. Read more about the fire on BasinLife.com

Copperfield Fire

• Location: About 20 miles north of Klamath Falls near Chiloquin
• Acreage: 3500 acres as of the morning of Sept. 2
• Cause: Unknown
• Began: Sept. 1
• Containment: Unknown
• Closures: Sprague River Road is closed east of Chiloquin.
• Evacuations: Level 3 evacuations for areas north and south of Sprague River Road east of Chiloquin. Evacuation points set up at the Klamath County fairgrounds.
• More info: Visit the Klamath County Emergency Management webpage for more evacuation information.

Monday, September 2nd, was a day of transition on the Copperfield Fire. Oregon Department of Forestry’s Incident Management Team 3 and Oregon State Fire Marshal Red Incident Management Team are currently managing the fire under unified command as of 6 pm this evening. The fire grew to an estimated 3,241 acres, driven by strong afternoon winds. Fire growth, which occurred mainly on the fire’s western flank, resulted in new spot fires up to half a mile from the fire perimeter. Fire crews worked with heavy equipment operators to put in and solidify dozer line on the east and north end of the fire. As those lines were solidified throughout the day, they continued to hold in part due to fuels treatments completed along the east flank of the current fire footprint, and crews have been mopping up to extinguish hot spots. On the fire’s west flank, fire crews were challenged by changing wind direction and active fire behavior.

Firefighters from across the state continue to arrive to battle the blaze and were supported by a half dozen aircraft. The focus for tonight’s night operations is to take advantage of low temperatures and high humidity to solidify the containment lines established today. Crews are focused on preserving life and property and keeping the current fire footprint as small as possible to minimize impacts to timber, rangeland, and cultural sites.

Residents and visitors in the area are advised to stay safe and stay informed. Visit https://www.klamathcounty.org/300/Emergency-Management for up-to-date information on evacuations and evacuee resources. Per the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office, evacuation levels will be reassessed the morning of September 3rd. Any changes will be published first to Genasys Protect, then by Mass Notification, then to the Klamath County Common Operating Picture (COP). A road closure remains in effect on the Sprague River Highway between mile markers 5 and 15.

Whisky Creek Fire and Sandstone Fire

• Location: Mount Hood National Forest
• Acreage: 2,092 acres (Whisky Creek Fire); 702 acres (Sandstone Fire)
• Cause: Human caused (Whisky Creek Fire); Lightning (Sandstone Fire)
• Began: July 20, Aug. 5
• Containment: 25% for Whisky Creek, 75% for Sandstone Fire
• Closures: Mt. Hood National Forest, the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area and Hood River County have issued closures.
• Evacuations: None
• More info: Visit the Whisky Creek Fire on Inciweb for updates on both fires.

Homestead Complex (7 fires)

• Location: Douglas County, in the Umpqua National Forest.
• Acreage: 5,913 acres (7 fires combined)
• Cause: Lightning
• Began: July 16
• Containment: 60% (level varies from fire to fire)
• Closures: The Umpqua National Forest and the Bureau of Land Management have issued closures.
• Evacuations: None
• More info: Visit the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page or the Homestead Complex’s entry on Inciweb.

South Willamette Complex (formally Oakridge Lightning Fires) 

• Location: Lane County, about halfway between Eugene and Bend (near Homestead Complex and Ore Fire)
• Acreage: 13,242 acres (7 fires combined)
• Cause: Lightning
• Began: July 17
• Containment: Level varies from fire to fire, 64% overall
• Closures: The Willamette National Forest is closed around the fire.
• Evacuations: None
• More info: Visit the South Willamette Complex entry on Inciweb.

North Willamette Complex (Ore and Pyramid fires)

• Location: Lane County, about halfway between Eugene and Bend.
• Acreage: 3,296 acres for Ore Fire, 1,312 acres for Pyramid Fire
• Cause: Human-caused (Ore Fire); Lightning (Pyramid Fire)
• Began: July 16
• Containment: 42% for Ore Fire; 98% for Pyramid Fire
• Closures: The Willamette National Forest is closed around the fires. Check here for further details.
• Evacuations: None
• More info: Visit the North Willamette Complex entry on Inciweb.

Red Fire –

• Location:Deschutes National Forest northwest of Crescent Lake.
• Acreage:784 acres as of Sept. 1
• Cause:Lightning
• Began: July 17
• Containment:0%
• Closures: The Deschutes National Forest is closed around Crescent Lake and in the Diamond Peak Wilderness, see the closure orderfor details.
• Evacuations:Level 1 evacuation notice is in place for Crescent Lake, Odell Lake and Crescent Junction areas, as of Aug. 20.
• More info: Visit the Red Fire entry on Inciweb.

Diamond Complex and Middle Fork Fire (30 fires)

• Location: Umpqua National Forest and Crater Lake National Park
• Acreage: 11,141 total acres for Diamond Complex; 5,282 acres for Middle Fork Fire
• Cause: Lightning
• Began: Various dates
• Containment: 78% for Diamond Complex (level varies from fire to fire and 23 of the original 29 fires are 100% contained); 46% for Middle Fork Fire
• Closures: Closures are in place on the Umpqua National Forest, Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest and Crater Lake National Park.
• Evacuations: None.
• More info: Visit the Diamond Complex entry on Inciweb.

Oak Canyon Fire

Started over weekend and now 5,000 acres 0% contained. Near Oak Canyon Wasco & Sherman Counties OR. Oak Canyon Fire has jumped the Deschutes River . The fire is wind driven moving southeast towards Maupin. Fire cause was lightning.

The Shoe Fly Fire is now 8,000+ acres. Wheeler County, OR. 𝐎𝐃𝐅 𝐈𝐌𝐓 𝟏 𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐞 𝐅𝐥𝐲 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐞, 𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐥, 𝐎𝐫𝐞. The fire started early Monday morning. The team will inbrief Tuesday at 10:00 a.m and take command of the fire at 6:00 p.m.

Here’s what evacuation levels mean

Level 1 Notice – Be Ready: Residents should be aware of the danger that exists in their area and monitor local media outlets for information. Residents with special needs should take note and begin making arrangements to evacuate. Evacuations at this time are voluntary.

Level 2 Notice – Be Set: This level indicates there is significant danger to your area, and residents should either voluntarily relocate to a shelter or outside of the affected area, or if choosing to remain, to be ready at a moment’s notice. Emergency services cannot guarantee that they will be able to notify you if conditions rapidly deteriorate.

Level 3 Notice – Go Now: Danger to your area is current or imminent, and you should leave immediately. Listen to local media and watch for emergency personnel who may be coming by to give further instructions regarding the evacuation.

PLEASE Help Prevent Human-Caused Wildfires

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Preventing wildfires requires a collective effort from everyone—help mitigate the risk of human-caused wildfires and protect our forests and communities.

Monitor Fires in Oregon – Updated Daily

Large Fires in Oregon Past 2 Weeks 9/3/24 7:00am per INCIWEB

Incident	Type	State	Incident Size	UpdatedSort ascending
North Willamette Complex – ORWIF	Wildfire	Oregon	4588 Acres	9 minutes 13 seconds ago
Diamond Complex – ORUPF	Wildfire	Oregon	11141 Acres	48 minutes 53 seconds ago
Red Fire – ORDEF	Wildfire	Oregon	851 Acres	1 hour 20 minutes ago
Homestead Complex – ORUPF	Wildfire	Oregon	5918 Acres	9 hours 47 minutes ago
Copperfield Fire – OR98S	Wildfire	Oregon	3241 Acres	10 hours 10 minutes ago
Cottage Grove – Lane 1 – OR77S	Wildfire	Oregon	25305 Acres	10 hours 35 minutes ago
Willamette Complex Fires – South – ORWIF	Wildfire	Oregon	13242 Acres	10 hours 50 minutes ago
Sandstone Fire – ORMHF	Wildfire	Oregon	702 Acres	12 hours 34 minutes ago
Whisky Creek Fire – ORMHF	Wildfire	Oregon	2092 Acres	12 hours 38 minutes ago
Middle Fork Fire – ORCLP	Wildfire	Oregon	5282 Acres	20 hours 18 minutes ago
Crazy Creek – OROCF	Wildfire	Oregon	86968 Acres	21 hours 17 minutes ago
Microwave Tower Fire – OR95S	Wildfire	Oregon	1313 Acres	1 day 15 hours ago
Lone Rock Fire – ORPRD	Wildfire	Oregon	137222 Acres	1 week ago
Dixon Fire – ORUPF	Wildfire	Oregon	1970 Acres	1 week 3 days ago
Falls Fire – ORMAF	Wildfire	Oregon	151689 Acres	1 week 4 days ago
Telephone Fire – ORMAF	Wildfire	Oregon	54005 Acres	1 week 4 days ago
Battle Mountain Complex – OR97S	Wildfire	Oregon	183026 Acres	1 week 6 days ago
Warner Peak Fire – ORSHR	Wildfire	Oregon	65866 Acres	2 weeks ago

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. 

U.S. Forest Service Hiring in Oregon

The U.S. Forest Service is looking to shore up its wildland firefighting force in the Pacific Northwest.  Recruitment events will take place across Oregon next month, with stops in Bend, Sandy and La Grande on September 12th, in an effort to hire a couple hundred permanent seasonal positions.

“That’s our goal, is to hire up to 200, maybe even a little more if we can, into these what we call entry level, perm-fire-hire positions, which are typically your six to nine-month timeframe employment within the agency,” said Jason Heinz who works in regional workforce development for the Forest Service.  He added those jobs are spread around Oregon, Washington and Alaska, and in most cases fill a currently vacant position.  Heinz says several factors make it more difficult to recruit wildland crews.

“We are increasing the number of individuals that work for the agency, our fire seasons are getting longer, burnout is a real thing. And so, we’re trying to work on adding more capacity to our crews so that we can have a better work-life balance.”  — Applications can be submitted now through September 24th. Visit USAJobs.gov to apply.

Oregon Farm Bureau — Thanks to the generous support of our agricultural community, we are now receiving both monetary and feed donations through our Wildfire Relief Fund. If you are a farmer or rancher affected by the wildfires, please take a moment to complete our short application for relief. https://www.oregonfb.org/

More than a thousand people participated in this year’s Hands Across the Bridge walk in Portland and shared their stories of recovery.

September is National Recovery Awareness Month and here in the Pacific Northwest more than a thousand people participated in this year’s Hands Across the Bridge walk and shared their story of recovery.

The sidewalks along the I-5 bridge across the Colombia River were packed as recovering addicts, their families, and their support systems participated in the 23rd annual Hands Across the Bridge event. They walked from Washington into Oregon despite the rain.

“I’m overjoyed! It is pouring raining out and these people aren’t going anywhere,” Event organizer Macrae Bogdanod said, “I guess we are all used to being out in the rain through our addiction, so nobody is leaving, we just wanna show every person how great recovery is!”

For the last 23 years Hands Across the Bridge has been bringing together recovering addicts and area treatment organizations to highlight the progress they have made by choosing recovery. Hands Across the Bridge wants to celebrate everyone’s milestones. And show that recovery is for everyone.

People from all walks of life can struggle with addiction, so Hands Across the Bridge has been building leadership in the recovery community, challenging the stigma against addiction, and connecting folks to the help they need, no questions asked.

The US Department of the Interior (DOI) has released the scheduled date for the first-ever offshore wind energy lease auction off southern Oregon.

The US Department of the Interior (DOI) | Floating Wind energy lease auction off southern Oregon.

The two areas have the potential to provide up to 3.1 GW of generation capacity and, if fully developed, could power approximately one million homes with clean energy, according to DOI. Areas in the federal waters off Oregon are deemed most suitable for floating wind technology.

The two Wind Energy Areas (WEAs) in Oregon, the Coos Bay WEA and the Brookings WEA, will be auctioned on 15 October 2024 by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM).

The Coos Bay (Lease Area P-OCS 0566) Wind Energy Area offshore Oregon is located approximately 32 miles (approximately 55 kilometres) from shore and covers 61,203 acres (approx. 248 square kilometres).

The bigger Brookings (Lease Area P-OCS 0567) Wind Energy Area spans 133,792 acres (approx. 541 square kilometres) and is located approximately 18 miles (approx. 29 kilometres) from shore. (READ MORE)

Oregon’s Ban on ‘Ghost Guns’ Takes Effect

“Ghost guns,” which are 3D-printed firearms without serial numbers, will be prohibited across Oregon starting Sunday September 1st.

The unserialized guns are assembled at home and can be easily purchased online, but can’t be picked up in a metal detector. The ban comes after a federal judge denied a legal challenge that tried to block the prohibition.

In 2023, the Oregon Legislature passed House Bill 2005 banning ghost guns. Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum, a Democrat, pushed for years to get legislation banning ghost guns.

“Unserialized guns are bad for everyone except criminals who don’t want to get caught,” she said at the time.

Starting on Sept. 1, 2024, all firearms built after Oct. 22, 1968, must have a serial number. Violating the law could result in a fine of $1,000 for first-time offenders. Repeat offenders could face higher fines and potentially incarceration.

Starting in July of 2023, Oregon law also prohibited the sale, transfer and import of unserialized firearms and the possession, sale and manufacturing of firearms that could not be detected by metal detectors or X-ray machines.

“Responsible gun ownership means respecting the gun laws of our state, and that now includes a ban on unserialized and undetectable ‘ghost guns.’” Rosenblum, who is not running for reelection, said in a statement. “For the safety of your families and communities, please make sure you understand our new law and that you are in compliance.”

The Oregon Department of Justice has issued a fact sheet to explain key parts of the new law and a list of federally licensed gun dealers in the state that can serialize firearms. (SOURCE)

The next chapter in Oregon’s fight against fentanyl starts this week

The new programs to treat drug users will look different across Oregon counties as law enforcement officials and outreach providers map out local strategies with limited resources

Oregon is about to embark on a new experiment as it seeks to stem the tide of fentanyl overdoses across the state. 

Starting Sunday, 14 counties in Oregon will start deflection programs that are intended to help people enter recovery and avoid criminal charges and jail. The timing of the programs coincides with the start of a new misdemeanor penalty for low-level drug possession. 

Both are the product of House Bill 4002, which state lawmakers passed this year after fentanyl overdoses killed about 1,400 Oregonians in 2023, up from 280 in 2019. The bill recriminalizes possession of small amounts of drugs, while prioritizing recovery instead of jail time. 

The bill allows – but does not require – counties to set up programs to help people avoid criminal charges and get help, whether through treatment or other recovery services. The programs require law enforcement, community mental health providers and prosecutors to work together for the best response. Under the law, people who don’t have access to the programs or decline them will be offered treatment and the expungement of their charges if the case goes to court. 

So far, officials in 28 of Oregon’s 36 counties intend to start new programs. Of those, 14 will start by Sept. 1, while the others will launch later this year or early next year, grant applications filed with the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission show. 

The new law unwinds part of Measure 110, which voters passed in 2020. That measure decriminalized low-level drug possession and put a system of $100 citations in place to encourage people to seek help. But law enforcement said the citation system lacked teeth and failed to motivate people to enter treatment. 

The new law didn’t entirely undo Measure 110. It preserves the provision to put a share of cannabis revenue toward addiction programs and services, including peer mentors, harm reduction and housing services. 

In the upcoming months, lawmakers, prosecutors and treatment providers will closely watch the impact of the approach each county takes. READ MORE: https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2024/08/28/the-next-chapter-in-oregons-fight-against-fentanyl-starts-next-week/

Press Release: Make Waves — Registration for the 2024 Beach & Riverside Cleanup is Now Open

Portland, Ore., August 29, 2024 – SOLVE invites volunteers to make a global impact this September by joining the annual Beach & Riverside Cleanup. From September 20 through September 28, families, community members, student groups, and nature enthusiasts from all stages of life will gather across Oregon and Southwest Washington for a 10-day event series with a variety of projects to choose from. Registration is now open for this vital community effort to protect and restore our coastlines, rivers, and public lands.

Connecting Local Actions to Global Movements – September 21 is International Coastal Cleanup Day, uniting millions of volunteers worldwide to protect our coasts and waterways from harmful trash and debris. This global movement amplifies the impact of local efforts, uniting communities for cleaner environments. The Beach & Riverside Cleanup wraps up on September 28 with National Public Lands Day, the nation’s largest single-day volunteer event, focusing on trail maintenance, habitat restoration, and native tree planting.

Join the Effort – “After a season of heavy use, our rivers and beaches need care,” says Kris Carico, SOLVE’s Chief Executive Officer. “This event is a cherished tradition and a powerful force for change. We encourage everyone to get involved and make a lasting impact on our environment.”

SOLVE will host over 50 project sites across Oregon and SW Washington, from the Oregon Coast to the Willamette Valley and beyond. Last year, more than 1,500 volunteers removed 20,000 pounds of trash. Since 1986, the event has cleared over 2.5 million pounds of litter from Oregon’s natural areas. Volunteer registration is open for posted events and SOLVE is still seeking additional projects. Interested event leaders should register their events as soon as possible to fully maximize SOLVE’s support, resources, and everything needed to host a successful event. 

New Supply Hubs for Event Leaders – This year, SOLVE is making it easier for event leaders by launching five supply hubs at South Beach, Fort Stevens, Cape Lookout, Cape Blanco, and Sunset Bay. These hubs are equipped with reusable supplies like litter grabbers, vests, and buckets sponsored by Knife River. This partnership with Oregon Parks and Recreation strengthens SOLVE’s mission to provide even more volunteers with reusable supplies and host cleanup events with sustainability in mind.

Be Part of the Change – Join thousands of volunteers to protect our waterways, restore natural areas this September, and contribute to a cleaner, healthier Oregon. As the event dates approach, more details on project sites and opportunities will be released. For more information and to register, visit https://www.solveoregon.org/beach-riverside.

2024 Sponsors – SOLVE’s Beach & Riverside Cleanup 2024 is proudly supported by Chevron, Clean Water Services, Daimler Truck North America, Fred Meyer, Harper Houf Peterson Righellis Inc., Here is Oregon, Keen Footwear, Knife River, KOIN, Metro, NEEF, Oregon Parks and Recreation, and Owens Corning.

About SOLVE – SOLVE brings communities together to take care of our environment and enhance our waterways. Since 1969, the organization has grown from a small, grassroots group to a national model for volunteer action. Today, SOLVE mobilizes and trains tens of thousands of volunteers of all ages across Oregon and Southwest Washington to clean and restore our neighborhoods and natural areas and to build a legacy of stewardship for our state. Visit solveoregon.org for more information. 

Oregon is poised to undergo a significant policy shift on September 1, as House Bill 4002 comes into effect, reinstating criminal penalties for the possession of hard drugs.

This new legislation marks a substantial reversal from Measure 110, which was passed in 2020 and decriminalized the possession of small amounts of various drugs while emphasizing treatment over criminalization.  House Bill 4002 seeks to undo many of the changes enacted by Measure 110, particularly regarding hard drugs such as heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine.

Under the new law, possession of these substances will again be subject to criminal charges, a move supporters believe will address concerns about public safety and drug misuse.  Proponents of House Bill 4002 argue that reinstating criminal penalties is crucial for creating a clear deterrent against public drug use. They assert that this approach will ensure that individuals are aware of the serious consequences associated with drug possession, potentially leading to reduced drug use and improved public safety.

Local police officials have also voiced their support for the bill, stating that it will provide them with necessary tools to address drug-related issues more effectively.

Previously, under Measure 110, law enforcement had limited options beyond referring individuals to treatment programs, a situation they believe left gaps in their ability to intervene. However, the shift back to criminalization has faced significant criticism.

Opponents argue that reinstating criminal penalties could undermine the progress made in treating drug addiction as a public health issue rather than a criminal one. They worry that this approach may lead to increased incarceration rates among individuals struggling with substance abuse, potentially worsen social and economic challenges.

Contact us: Info@OregonBeachMagazine.com