Oregon Beach News, Wednesday 7/24 – Coos County Fair & Rodeo in Full Swing & 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

Wednesday, July 24, 2024

Oregon Beach Weather

SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY ISSUED: 2:50 AM JUL. 24, 2024 – NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM PDT THIS MORNING...

* WHAT...North winds of 15 to 20 kts with gusts up to 25 kts and seas of 5 to 7 feet at 6 to 7 seconds.

* WHERE...All areas from Reedsport south.

* WHEN...Until 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

2024 Coos County Fair & Rodeo
½ off Admission for Kids, Seniors, Active Military & Veterans @ the Fair Wednesday July 24th

Carnival Rides – Pie Eating Contest – Fair Food – Exciting Vendors – Animals – Art Exhibits – Trains- and Museum – FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!!!

Beginning in 1912, the Fair has become the main event of the Summer for Coos County residents and is a county-wide showcase of agriculture, crafts, industry and business. The Fair provides the opportunity for all ages, from young to seniors, to exhibit their livestock, floral, land products, culinary, needlework, photography, arts and crafts.

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Army Corps of Engineers’ Baker Bay Pile Dike Repair Project in Baker Bay

NOAA Fisheries has received a request from Army Corps of Engineers for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to Baker Bay Pile Dike Repair Project in Baker Bay, Oregon. NOAA Fisheries is requesting comments on its proposal to issue an incidental harassment authorization to incidentally take marine mammals during the specified activities.

Project location

NOAA Fisheries is also requesting comments on a possible one-time, 1-year renewal that could be issued under certain circumstances and if all requirements are met, as described in Request for Public Comments at the end of this notice. NOAA Fisheries will consider public comments prior to making any final decision on the issuance of the requested MMPA authorization and agency responses will be summarized in the final notice of our decision.

Awards Banquet To Celebrate Outstanding Florence Businesses And Individuals 7/25

The 16th Annual Florence Area Chamber of Commerce Siuslaw Awards and Annual Meeting will take place July 25 at the Florence Events Center. This year’s theme, “Sequins and Sandals,” brings together style and décor apropos to the casual nature of our community and the sophistication of an awards show with an enchanting Beach Party ambiance and a delectable menu.

“We invite the community to join us on July 25 at the Florence Events Center for an unforgettable evening celebrating the best in our community,” said Chamber president and CEO Bettina Hannigan. “Tickets are just $50 per individual or $400 for a table of eight and available through our website, FlorenceChamber.com or by calling the Chamber at 541-997-3128.” MORE INFO: https://www.thesiuslawnews.com/community/awards-banquet-to-celebrate-outstanding-florence-businesses-and-individuals/article_623cfc86-43cc-11ef-aa31-53f8ed23a771.html

Bills Creek Fire in Bandon Quickly Contained

A wildfire is seen burning off Bills Creek Road in Bandon Monday, July 22, 2024. (Coos Forest Protective Association photo)
A wildfire is seen burning off Bills Creek Road in Bandon Monday, July 22, 2024. (Coos Forest Protective Association photo)

On July 22, 2024, around 4:30 pm, Coos County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a wildfire off Bills Creek Road in Bandon. A Sergeant from Bandon Police Department was first on the scene and began evacuating residents in the area after noting the rapidly spreading fire. The fire at Bills Creek Lane and Copperhead Road cut off the Sergeant.

The Coos County Sheriff’s Office established an incident command. At the same time, elements from Bandon Fire Department, Coquille Fire Department, Greenacres Fire Department, Coos Forest Protective Association, and Oregon Department of Forestry fought the fire. A unified command was established, and those trapped were safely evacuated. Traffic was restricted at 11th and Fillmore in Bandon while firefighting operations were underway. Meanwhile, law enforcement evacuated and notified affected residents.

The fire was quickly controlled, and residents were allowed back home. Though at least two homes were within a few short feet of being burnt, no homes were destroyed, and no people were injured. The fast-moving winds, dry conditions, and a downed power line contributed to the fire. The Bandon Police Department, BLM law enforcement, Coos County Emergency Management, and Oregon State Police assisted the Coos County Sheriff’s Office.

•••Teen Injured by BB Gun Shot in Bandon; Neighbor Arrested for Assault•••

On July 22, 2024, at approximately 6:45 PM, Coos County Dispatch received a 911 call reporting an injury to a teenage minor at a residence on Beach Loop Road in Bandon. The injury was caused by a BB gun shot. Deputy Z. Smith responded to Southern Coos Hospital to speak with the victim.

Upon investigation, Deputy Smith discovered that the victim had been clearing brush in her backyard to uncover an old fort when she suddenly experienced severe shoulder pain. Her mother, who heard a “pop” sound from inside the house, found her daughter bleeding heavily. Their neighbor, Chase Tolliver, 41, was observed standing outside, angrily staring at the victim and her mother. The victim was transported to the hospital, where medical staff determined that removing the BB posed significant risks.

Deputy Smith contacted Mr. Tolliver and completed the investigation, concluding that Mr. Tolliver had shot the victim with a BB gun, causing serious injury. Mr. Tolliver was arrested for Assault in the Second Degree and Unlawful Use of a Weapon.

Mr. Tolliver was then transported to the Coos County Jail, where he was booked, processed, and lodged.

“Police action is not indicative of guilt. All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.”

Ecola State Park Named as One of the Best Parks in USA

Recently timeout.com listed the best parks in the United States and Oregon was the only state in the Northwest that made it to the top 10.

Even if you haven’t visited this park on the edge of the Oregon Coast, most likely, you’ve seen it on the big screen. This park, with an amazing outlook toward the Pacific Ocean, has been the backdrop in films including TwilightThe Goonies and Kindergarten Cop

You’ll see information signs on them and other points of view extending to Haystack Rock, a sea slack in Canyon Beach, and the Tillamook Rock Lighthouse. Wander amid Sitka spruce forests and along a network of hiking trails, including the Clatsop Loop Trail, a two-and-a-half-mile-long historical loop. It partly follows the Corps of Discovery route, which is the Lewis and Clark Expedition military unit that trekked through the present-day park. Or spend time on the sand at Indian Beach. https://www.timeout.com/usa/things-to-do/best-state-parks-in-us

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is warning individuals with pets to stay away from carcasses that have ended up on beaches.

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is warning individuals with pets to stay away from carcasses that have ended up on beaches.  According to ODFW several dogs have been sickened from salmon in the Newport area. They say that a parasitic flatworm that is often deadly to dogs is the culprit. 

Julie Burco an ODFW veterinarian says symptoms can begin to show 5-7 days after exposure and include vomiting and diarrhea.  She says the risk generally comes in late September, but can be found anytime a carcass is on the sand.  Keeping your dogs on a leash on the beach is the best way to ensure your pet does not come in contact with the parasite.

Newport Oregon Police Department –  The City of Newport’s annual dust abatement program will begin on Tuesday, July 23, covering approximately 10 miles of gravel roads throughout the city.

Applications of Lignin Sulfonate will take place between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. for up to three days. Dust abatement is a sustainable solution to inhibiting excess soil dust, providing a valuable method to help maintain healthy air quality in the city.

Road closures due to the dust abatement are not expected, however, the material used may remain slightly wet and sticky for up to one week until it fully dries.

Lignin Sulfonate is an effective and environmentally-safe certified organic product that is widely used for dust management on gravel roads. It is not harmful or toxic to humans, animals, aquatic life and plants, and it is also utilized in some animal feed and crop fertilizers. The product is also water-soluble, and can be easily cleaned from clothing and personal items with soap and water.

For more information, please contact the City of Newport Public Works Department at 541-574-5874. The city thanks community members for their patience as it conducts this important community service.

Curry County Sued Over Citations For Homeless People

In a lawsuit filed on Thursday in federal court, John Malaer claims that in July 2022 he was living on property owned by Curry County in the small, coastal community of Harbor, Oregon, across the river from Brookings.

He says the county’s code enforcement officer posted a trespassing notice outside his tent that did not comply with state law. The lawsuit says that notice was later rescinded.

On the same day, the county then leased that property to a private individual for $1 a year, turning it into private property. The lawsuit argues the county did not give adequate notice of this change before then threatening to arrest those camping on the property and issuing a criminal citation to Malaer later that night.

Alicia LeDuc Montgomery, the lead attorney representing Malaer, said for the county to lease property, it has to be in the public interest.

“How can they possibly say that leasing public property, where the public is using it for the basic necessity of being able to sleep somewhere at night or access services that they need to survive, is outweighed by a $1 revenue stream per year?” she said.

The lawsuit was filed against the county, Sheriff John Ward, two men who were sheriff’s deputies at the time, former County Commissioner Christopher Paasch and the former Code Enforcement Officer Melvin Trover.

The Board of Commissioners and Ward did not respond to a request for comment.

According to an agenda item from a July 6, 2022 Board of Commissioners meeting, Trover sought to have the county vacate the property and lease it to property manager Ron Reel. The goal was to “address the tents.”

Instead, the property was leased to Ue Ching Ow, who appears to be an anesthesiologist in Monterey, California. The site is near Shopping Center Avenue and Zimmerman Lane in Harbor, near a liquor store.

“The County engaged in this leasing as a bad faith attempt to levy criminal charges against unhoused campers, including Mr. Malaer, and avoid complying with state laws intended to protect the rights of individuals camping on public property, simply because Mr. Malaer and others remained camping in public view on public property for lack of other housing or resource options and asserted their rights,” the lawsuit reads.

The lawsuit also claims the county violated the Americans with Disabilities Act, since Malaer is disabled and “could not physically comply with the order or move all of his property in the time demanded.”

LeDuc Montgomery said they’re seeking a jury trial, as well as economic and compensatory damages of an unspecified amount. (SOURCE)

Construction is Underway at Oregon State University Wave Energy Test Site

Oregon State University PacWave South testing site being built off the coast of Newport is the first pre-permitted, utility-scale, grid-connected wave energy test site in the United States.

A vessel is seen in the ocean from land at Driftwood Beach.
View of the Seacor Lee from Driftwood Beach State Recreation Site. TheA vessel is anchored off the Oregon Coast near Seal Rock in August 2023 to work on PacWave South. Photo by Michelle Klampe, Oregon State University.

Oregon State, PacWave South
A rendering of PacWave South testing facility being installed on the Oregon Coast. (Graphic provided by Oregon State University)

Workers will install power and data cables for Oregon State University’s new testing facility in the coming week. This will allow researchers to develop new ways to harness the power of ocean waves and transfer that energy into the local electrical grid.

OSU Professor Burke Hales called the site one more asset in the country’s portfolio of green energy. “We have a carbon problem,” Burke said. “We’re changing the climate, we’re changing the chemistry of the oceans and the only effective way to resolve that problem is to stop producing so much carbon.”

The test facility is located north of Waldport and it will connect to four power and data cables stretching 10 to 13 miles out into the ocean. Once installed, the cables can test up to 20 different wave energy devices at the same time. The test site was placed on a sandy-bottomed stretch of the Pacific Ocean, away from popular commercial and recreational fishing reefs, the university said. All boaters are advised to avoid the area while the construction is in progress.

The Louisiana-based subsea cable services contractor R.T. Casey will start the installation later this month. PacWave Deputy Director Dan Hellin said that the public will likely see three different vessels working about 7 miles off the coast south of Newport as crews spend the next six to seven weeks installing the cables. “We are asking all mariners in the area to maintain a minimum distance of 500 yards from any vessel involved in the cable installation process,” Hellin said. “While these vessels will be moving very slowly, they will be laying cables and have equipment operating on the seafloor, so they will be unable to stop operations or deviate from their planned route.”

Wave energy tests are expected to begin at the facility in 2026. The PacWave South site was funded by more than $100 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Energy, the State of Oregon and other public and private entities.

“Wave energy has the potential to provide clean, reliable electricity to help meet the world’s rising energy demands,” OSU stated in a press release. “Oregon State has pursued development of a wave energy test facility for more than a decade to accelerate the development of this industry. There currently is no U.S. facility for developers to measure the electrical and environmental performance of their devices at this scale.” FOR MORE INFORMATION: https://today.oregonstate.edu/news/cable-installation-set-begin-osu-led-wave-energy-testing-facility-oregon-coast

https://www.facebook.com/NewportPolice/videos/1430639231053407

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

CAST for Kids Foundation needs five additional boat captains to take a disabled child and their parents crabbing for a few hours on Sunday, July 28th.

If you and your family would like to volunteer, please register online at castforkids.org/event/yaquinabay

The C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation (C.A.S.T. = Catch A Special Thrill) is a public charity that was formed in 1991 to join volunteers who love to fish with children who have special needs and disadvantages for a day of fishing in the outdoors. Children with special needs (ages 6-18) and their caretakers come together with community volunteers for a fun day of fishing they may not otherwise experience. These events provide a refreshing break from their daily challenges. Spreading a positive message that kids with disabilities can accomplish anything, we include all children, despite their limitations. This is all made possible through national and local sponsors-people who want to make a big difference in the lives of kids with special needs thus strengthening their community. https://www.facebook.com/castforkidsfoundation

Siuslaw Library Summer Reading Program

City of Florence Environmental Management Advisory Committee (EMAC) members, Vicki Philben, Ivy Medow and City Councilor Sally Wantz, as well as Master Recycler, Britte Kirsch, are partnering with Miss Gayle at the Siuslaw Public Library in this year’s Summer Reading Program. 

Using the “Read, Renew, Repeat” curriculum, these volunteers will be hosting 5 interactive events on such topics as bugs & bees, dirt, recycling, worms, and native plants.  Children of all ages are encouraged to attend these and all the other events from June through July.  All programs are free and held at the Florence location’s Bromley Room unless otherwise specified.  For more information, call the Siuslaw Library at 541-999-3132. 

Florence Food Share Empty Bowls 2024 Call for Artists for Poster Art

21st annual empty bowls dinner & auction, a benefit for FOOD For Lane County

We are currently making plans for Florence Food Share’s annual Empty Bowls event, which has been a successful fundraiser for 29 years. Local artists contribute handmade ceramic, wood, and fused glass bowls along with other art for sale during the first weekend of December.

For over a decade, we have featured the work of a local artist on the poster advertising the event. The art created for the event serves as the focal point for the poster and is later raffled off at the event to generate extra revenue for the Florence Food Share. In return, the artist receives recognition in local and regional publications and a tax deduction, of course.

We are searching for artwork that conveys the message of the event and the mission of Florence Food Share, which is to provide nutritious food to those in need because “no one should go hungry.” We welcome any medium, as long as it can be photographed, and the original artwork can be donated to the event. We will handle the framing, with input from the artist.

To be considered for creating the poster art for 2024, please send us your concept, including the medium and a description of the proposed image. Additionally, attach a photo of one of your previous works to give us an idea of your style. Please email your submissions to Desiree Clifton at dclifton@windemere.com by August 25, 2024. The
completed, unframed artwork should be submitted no later than September 30, 2024.

We are grateful to all the artists who have participated in Empty Bowls over the years and eagerly anticipate the participation of new artists in this year’s event. For any questions regarding submitting artwork, please reach out via email to dclifton@windemere.com. Florence Food Share Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/florencefood.share/?locale=ro_RO

Beverly Beach State Park Remains Closed Until End of July

Due to delays in construction, Beverly Beach State Park will now be closed through the end of July, according to Oregon Parks & Recreation.

Located just seven miles north of Newport, the popular campground and day-use area has been closed since September 2023. The construction work included moving power lines underground and replacing water lines. The park is now slated to reopen on August 1.

Lincoln County Accepting Grant Funding Applications for Share Of $398,000 in ARPA Funds for Local Water and Sewer Projects

$398,000 in funds from the American Rescue Plan Ac (ARPA) are set to be distributed to eligible districts in Lincoln County to invest in local water, sewer and drainage projects.

The American Rescue Plan Act was signed into law in March of 2021 and provided states, cities, and counties with federal money to support pandemic recovery efforts and economic stimulus. One allowed use for ARPA dollars is to support public water, sewer and drainage projects.

Lincoln County is accepting grant funding applications from local water, sewer and drainage districts in unincorporated Lincoln County for water and sewer projects. Eligible projects must meet the ARPA State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) eligible funding requirements.

Districts must be in good standing with State of Oregon financial reporting requirements and show proof of complying with public meeting law requirements. The county has a total of $398,000 to provide for eligible projects from districts. Applications will be reviewed by a committee selected by Lincoln County to look at the financial stability of the organization, the engineering feasibility of the project, and if the project meets ARPA requirements.

The county is planning to use an open grant process to award the funds. Starting June 10 applications will open, they will be awarded on a first come, first served basis to qualifying districts and projects; applications will close once all funds have been allocated.

The county says each eligible district can ask up to $50-thousand total. Projects can be stand-alone projects or a discrete portion of a larger project. Applications will be reviewed by county administrative, legal, and engineering staff to ensure projects meet American Rescue Plan Act, legal and technical requirements. All projects must adhere to federal procurement rules and Davis-Bacon Act requirements.

County officials say they will execute contracts with awarded districts before December 31, 2024. All work on the awarded projects must be completed by subrecipients before December 2026. To apply for the Local Water, Sewer and Drainage Districts’ Grant click here.

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:

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.

EVCNB

Emergency Volunteer Corps of Nehalem Bay

No photo description available.

If you are taking a young child to a big event, local Fairs, Six Flags, theme park, Fenway Park or any other busy location … Write your phone number on their wrist and cover it with liquid band aid in case you get separated. Also, take a photo of them using your cell phone the morning of the event so you have their clothing, hair style and up to date photo. Just in case they get lost. Stay safe this summer! #BePrepared#TipofTheDay

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Oregon Department of Transportation –  If you plan to travel across the state in the coming days, make sure you carefully plan your route.

I-84 and many other highways in #EasternOR may be closed or unreliable due to wildfires. Visit TripCheck.com for the latest closure points and details.

Due to current fire activity, we expect continued and/or more I-84 closures. Do not rely on this route in the upcoming days. Many other eastern Oregon highways are also closed or impacted as well.

Wildfires are unpredictable and we have no estimate on opening times for any fire-impacted highways. Previous plans for a nighttime only closure of I-84 to remove brush along the highway were upended when the wildfire quickly reached the interstate. Fire crews are actively fighting fire from I-84.Travelers should use U.S. 20 to move east or west across central and eastern Oregon during this current period of fire activity. If you must travel, consult TripCheck.com and check real-time conditions for your ENTIRE route.

Tips while traveling in #ORfire season:

1. Don’t blindly follow GPS directions or detour on local or forest roads. These roads are not suitable for interstate traffic. If a highway is closed on TripCheck, it is likely that nearby local roads are also closed due to wildfire in the area. TripCheck is updated 24/7 by dispatch staff.

2. Expect power outages near wildfires. Treat non-working traffic lights like a four-way stop. Roadside message boards and TripCheck cameras may also be out in these areas.

3. Carry extra supplies including food, water, necessary medications, etc. for all your passengers, including pets.

4. Driving in smoke is like driving in heavy fog. Slow down but keep a steady pace and stay alert. Slow driving gives you more time to respond to unexpected conditions. Turn on headlights when driving in smoky areas.

5. The best place to wait for a highway to reopen is at home. Do not travel to the closure points and wait, closures could last for days. Find fire information, including a fire overview and map, smoke forecast and sign up for local emergency alerts by visiting wildfire.oregon.gov

Oregon Department of Emergency ManagementOregon State PoliceOregon Department of ForestryOregon State Fire Marshal

Campfires temporarily banned at most Oregon State Parks due to dry conditions, nearby wildfires

Farewell Bend State Recreation Area is closed after a nearby wildfire spread to the park. The park is closed while staff work to remove hazard trees, repair damaged water lines and clear out debris.

— Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) temporarily banned campfires at most Oregon State Parks due to dry conditions and the strain on firefighting resources from wildfires burning across the state. 

Campfires and open flames are banned at all parks east of the Cascades due to the low humidity and risk of wildfires. They’re also restricted at parks in high-risk areas across the state until conditions improve. Most bans impact parks east of the Cascades and in the valley with some restrictions at select coastal parks.

“We understand that campfires are an important part of the experience at Oregon State Parks. We don’t make the decision lightly to restrict the use of fire, but unfortunately conditions require that response. The decision is made in consultation with our local fire agencies. Thank you for helping us do our part to reduce the risk of any new wildfires,” said JR Collier, OPRD’s deputy of statewide operations.

Campfire restrictions generally ban all “open flame,” but often make exceptions for propane cooking as the flame is contained. Check individual park webpages for details on any restrictions before visiting. Restrictions are listed in alphabetical order in a feature story at stateparks.oregon.gov/ or on the individual park pages. 

OPRD also encourages visitors to know before they go when it comes to the impact of wildfires across the state:

  • Several parks have been closed due to wildfires including Battle Mountain Forest State Scenic Corridor, Farewell Bend State Recreation Area, East and West Hatfield Trailheads on the Columbia River Highway State Trail and Ukiah-Dale Forest State Scenic Corridor. Check park webpages at stateparks.oregon.gov/ and search by park.
  • Some parks have reduced air quality due to wildfire smoke. Check DEQ’s website for air quality information at www.oregonsmoke.org/
  • Several roads and highways have been closed due to wildfires. Please use TripCheck to learn about closures and alternative routes. Relying on GPS might lead drivers into unsafe conditions

For more information about current wildfires around the state, go to the Oregon Department of Forestry’s website: https://www.oregon.gov/odf/fire/pages/firestats.aspx

For more information about wildfire prevention, please visit the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s webpage at https://www.oregon.gov/osfm/education/pages/prevent-wildfires.aspx.

Campfires prohibited across BLM’s Northwest Oregon District

– Starting July 23, campfires will be prohibited on all Bureau of Land Management public lands throughout the Northwest Oregon District. BLM leaders encourage all visitors to be aware of active restrictions and closures as hotter, drier weather sets in around the Pacific Northwest.

In addition to fires and campfires, the stronger restrictions also prohibit smoking in vegetated areas; using vehicles in unmanaged vegetated areas; operating a chainsaw; welding, cutting or grinding; or using an internal combustion engine without a spark arrestor. These prohibitions will stay in effect until rescinded.

These level II fire restrictions help reduce the risk of human-caused fires. They build on the BLM’s statewide fire restrictions prohibiting fireworks, exploding targets or metallic targets, steel component ammunition (core or jacket), tracer or incendiary devices, and sky lanterns, which went effect May 24.

Those who violate the prohibition may be fined up to $100,000 and/or imprisoned for up to 12 months. In addition, those found responsible for starting wildland fires on federal lands can be billed for the cost of fire suppression.

For the complete order and more information on seasonal fire restrictions and fire closures, please see www.blm.gov/orwafire.

To learn more about fire careers with BLM Oregon-Washington, please see https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire/state-info/oregon-washington/careers.

Oregon Investigators Offering Reward For Information Identifying Individuals Who Started The 134,000 Acre Cow Valley Fire

Most of the Country doesn’t know that Oregon is absolutely running rampant with wildfires. At least four wildfires are now over 100,000 acres in the state. The Durkee Fire broke 143,000 acres today, The Lone Rock Fire is 117,000 acres, The Falls Fire is 121,000 acres, and the Cow Valley Fire is 133,000 acres.

Fire investigators and law enforcement from multiple agencies put out a public notice asking the public for information leading to identifying individuals who may have started the Cow Valley Fire, The Bonita Road Fire, and others in the Malheur Reservoir area.

Fire managers and investigators say these fires started in a “suspicious manner.” These fires have already cost $10 million and had a massive resource allocation, putting added strain nationally on firefighting resources.

7 Structures were lost on the Cow Valley fire alone.

Reward offered for information relating to wildfires in the Malheur Reservoir area.

VALE, Ore. – Fire investigators and law enforcement officials are requesting the public’s assistance in the investigation of the Cow Valley, Bonita and other small wildfires in the Malheur Reservoir area.

These fires all began in the early morning hours of July 11, between approximately 1 and 5 a.m. They are believed to be human-caused and of a suspicious nature. A monetary reward is being offered for information leading to the identification of individuals responsible.

Anyone with information about any of these incidents should call We Tip Anonymous at 1-800-47-ARSON, online at wetip.com.

This is a multi-agency investigation by the Bureau of Land Management Vale District, Oregon State Fire Marshal, Malheur County Sheriff’s Office, and Oregon State Police.

Shortly after these and other fires broke out, the Pacific Northwest increased its wildfire preparedness to the highest level, a PL5. There are currently 28 uncontained large fires in the PNW, with 11 Teams assigned to these incidents. (SOURCE)

Elevated wildfire risk as Oregon wildfire season off to ‘aggressive start’

A spate of lightning storms coupled with hot dry weather has created high-risk wildfire conditions earlier than expected, officials said

Heat, lightning and wind have conspired to create high-risk conditions for wildfire across southern, central and eastern Oregon far earlier in the summer than state officials anticipated. 

“We are fighting fire like it’s August 19, not July 19,” said Mariana Ruiz-Temple, Oregon’s state fire marshal, at a news conference Friday. The wildfire season in the Northwest can last from May through October, but typically the season is most intense from July to September.

As of Friday afternoon, there were 24 large fires of 100 or more acres burning in parts of Oregon, according to the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center, a wildfire prevention and response network that includes nine state and federal agencies across the West.

Northwest Large Fire Interactive Map displays where fires are currently burning in Oregon. (Northwest  Interagency Coordination Center)

In just the last week, Gov. Tina Kotek declared five conflagrations – meaning many structures have burned or the scale of the fires exceed local resources. They’re the result of some human-caused fires and thousands of lightning strikes earlier in the week that ignited more than 100 new fires. 

Ruiz-Temple and the Oregon Department of Forestry’s deputy director of fire operations, Kyle Williams, said lightning storms that are expected Friday through Monday will further elevate risk. South central Oregon, in the Klamath and Medford areas are at highest risk Friday evening before lightning is expected to move north and east until Monday. 

The two doubled down on their pleas to Oregonians to minimize the potential for human-caused wildfires so their agencies can manage scarce resources. 

“We have our hands full already, and there’s more lightning coming – we can address that, as long as our resources are not busy dealing with other human caused fires,” Williams said.

So far, the number of human-caused wildfires in Oregon is below average, according to Williams. But because conditions are so hot and dry, those wildfires are getting larger and burning more acres than average. 

Burn rules across state and national parks and forests have gone into effect, and fires are allowed only at some designated campsites. Officials recommend ensuring fires are properly doused and put out, that people keep vehicles off of dry grass and ensure vehicle chains are not dragging. The Oregon Department of Forestry recommends avoiding any backyard debris burning during the fire season.

Statewide emergency

On July 12, Kotek declared a statewide wildfire emergency, which enabled National Guard deployment to parts of the state and allowed state and federal resources to flow to areas in need. 

“To be very honest, our wildfire season is off to a very aggressive start,” she said. 

Oregon has received additional equipment and firefighters from Washington, California, New Mexico, Idaho, Montana, Oklahoma, Texas, Georgia, Colorado and Florida, and Kotek expects more wildfire fighters will arrive in the coming days. 

“I cannot emphasize enough: This is a dynamic, fast-moving situation for our state, and we will continue to use every resource, every person that we can get our hands on, to fight these fires,” she said.For more information on how to prepare for possible evacuation, visit: wildfire.oregon.gov

Kotek could not provide details about whether or not the state would exceed its emergency wildfire budget, but indicated costs are adding up.

“I can say, it will be more expensive than the last fire season. I think that’s a safe bet,” she said.

Global issues with CrowdStrike security software taking down Microsoft systems has not impacted the agency’s work or any wildfire response work in Oregon, Kotek said.

Teams from the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office, Department of Forestry and the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management are working together to protect property and natural resources. Erin McMahon, director of the Department of Emergency Management, said there have been 88 evacuation orders across the state so far this summer. 

“Our firefighters are working at all hours of the day and night, in conditions that are hard for many of us to fathom,” Kotek said. “It’s going to be a long wildfire season, and we need each and every one of them.” (SOURCE)

Monitoring Fires in Oregon

https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/state/oregon
IncidentTypeStateIncident SizeUpdatedSort ascending
IncidentTypeStateIncident SizeUpdatedSort ascending
Oakridge Lightning Fires 2024 – ORWIFWildfireOregonAcres3 minutes 26 seconds ago
Red Fire – ORDEFWildfireOregon262 Acres23 minutes 21 seconds ago
Boneyard Fire – OR95SWildfireOregon39646 Acres25 minutes 26 seconds ago
Diamond Complex – ORUPFWildfireOregon3352 Acres28 minutes 25 seconds ago
Durkee Fire – ORVADWildfireOregon244842 Acres40 minutes 33 seconds ago
Lone Rock Fire – ORPRDWildfireOregon134752 Acres1 hour 2 minutes ago
Cow Valley Fire – ORVADWildfireOregon133490 Acres9 hours 9 minutes ago
Battle Mountain Complex – OR97SWildfireOregon52832 Acres9 hours 32 minutes ago
Cottage Grove – Lane 1 – OR77SWildfireOregon1090 Acres10 hours 7 minutes ago
Homestead Complex – ORUPFWildfireOregon767 Acres10 hours 7 minutes ago
Ore Fire – ORWIFWildfireOregon747 Acres10 hours 12 minutes ago
Telephone Fire – ORMAFWildfireOregon5000 Acres11 hours 49 minutes ago
Whisky Creek Fire – ORMHFWildfireOregon155 Acres11 hours 49 minutes ago
Falls Fire – ORMAFWildfireOregon139507 Acres12 hours 2 minutes ago
Pyramid Fire – ORWIFWildfireOregon535 Acres12 hours 24 minutes ago
Microwave Tower – OR954SWildfireOregon150 Acres13 hours 33 minutes ago
Salt Creek – OR710SWildfireOregon4102 Acres1 day 15 hours ago
Larch Creek Fire – OR95SWildfireOregon18286 Acres4 days 9 hours ago
Little Yamsay Fire – ORFWFWildfireOregon6340 Acres1 month 3 weeks ago
2023 Chilcoot Fire UNF – ORUPFWildfireOregon1940 Acres2 months ago
2023 Chilcoot Fire UNF – ORUPFWildfireOregon1940 Acres2 months ago
2023 Ridge Fire UNF – ORUPFWildfireOregon214 Acres2 months ago
2023 Ridge Fire UNF – ORUPFWildfireOregon214 Acres2 months ago

Large Fires in Oregon 7/24/24 7:30am per INCIWEB

https://app.watchduty.org/

Please Help Prevent Wildfires!

https://app.watchduty.org

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

https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/6329d5e4e13748b9b9f7f33f06a3c376/?fbclid=IwAR2HH7Zxyi-vqihq8pWQJKzynrFK19bKFow-VjTAn3Puz6lZtHpz5JrTgP4

Climate change a growing public health threat in Oregon, but state adapting, report finds

The latest Climate and Health in Oregon report shows health impacts of heat, smoke and drought are rising, but some state investments are paying off

More Oregonians are suffering from respiratory, heart and mental health issues caused by extreme weather events linked to climate change, and rural, elderly and minority communities are being hit the hardest, a new state report found.

Road closed due to wildfire
Wildfires in September 2020 burned 1.2 million acres and caused unhealthy air quality in many parts of the state for days. (Courtesy Oregon State University)

But new investments in portable air conditioners, home air filtration systems and gardens and green spaces are helping lessen the effects, according to the Oregon Health Authority’s latest Climate and Health in Oregon report. 

Analyzing 2023, officials found that more people statewide than expected visited emergency rooms for respiratory illnesses and excessive heat effects and that people suffered mentally from natural disasters long after they occurred. The effect of poor air quality caused by wildfires was especially acute among the elderly, rural people and Oregonians of color. American Indians, Alaska Natives, Black residents, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders were twice as likely to visit a health care facility for an air-quality related respiratory illness than the statewide average, according to the report. 

But since the first annual report came out in 2020, as mandated by an executive order under former Gov. Kate Brown, the Legislature has invested in programs to help Oregonians adapt. 

By 2030, the health authority aims to reduce smoke-related respiratory visits to emergency departments by 20%, heat-related hospitalizations by 60% and heat-related deaths by 70%. 

To achieve the state targets, the 2023 Legislature allocated nearly $100 million to pay for climate adaptation and health resilience programs. This includes improving access to green spaces and healthy and sustainable foods and paying for home air filters and air conditioners. The health authority is also charged with educating the public about climate risks and modernizing health services to respond to climate challenges. 

“Climate change poses a significant and growing threat to public health,” agency Director Sejal Hathi and Cara Biddlecom, the agency’s interim public health director, said in a letter in the report. “We can accept nothing less than building a public health system equipped, resourced and coordinated to prevent, mitigate and adapt to the health impacts of climate change.” 

Smoke-related emergency room visits and hospitalizations for asthma are expected to add nearly $100 million to Oregon health care costs by the 2050s, according to the report. 

Hottest year on record

Globally, 2023 was the hottest year on record, though Oregon was spared from exceptional wildfire events like those in 2020 and the excessive heat events like the summer “heat dome” in 2021, when temperatures reached triple digits from late June through mid-July. The Oregon Health Authority had not anticipated an event like that in the Portland metro area until 2050, the report said. 

Between 2020 and 2023, 139 people died from heat-related causes in Oregon, including more than 100 in 2021. The toll over those years was three times that of the previous decade. Cardiovascular disease contributed to 25% of those deaths, and people 50 and older accounted for 87%, the report said.

It also looked at the lasting impacts of the 2020 wildfire season and 2021 heat dome.

The 2020 Labor Day fires burned more than 1 million acres, destroyed 5,000 homes, largely destroying the towns of Gates, Detroit, Phoenix and Talent, and left nine people dead. 

Researchers found that mental health suffering, including uncontrollable worry, was acute among wildfire survivors years after the events. Officials said making communities resilient to climate change and adapting to heat and wildfire need to be baked into recovery and rebuilding efforts after such events.

The report said health authority officials are working on reaching people from different demographics in different parts of the state. Surveys have found that older Oregonians prefer to be alerted to upcoming extreme weather events through local television, while most other Oregonians prefer text messages. But more resources are needed, especially to help households obtain filters, emergency supplies for wildfires and upgraded doors and windows so they fully seal. (SOURCE)

Avangrid hires 5,000 sheep for grazing on two solar projects in the Pacific Northwest

Avangrid, member of the Iberdrola Group, has partnered with a fifth-generation Oregon rancher to graze sheep at two solar farms in Oregon and Washington, and launched likely the largest “solar grazing” operation in the region. Solar grazing is a vegetation management method used at solar energy facilities that uses grazing livestock, like sheep, instead of machinery. Sheep are effective at limiting the growth of weeds and vegetation, cutting down on wildfire risks while replacing the use of gas-powered machines.

Avangrid began this effort last year with a pilot project at Pachwáywit Fields, Oregon’s largest operating solar farm located in Gilliam County that serves Portland General Electric’s Green Future Impact participants. By the Spring, Avangrid expanded the pilot into a full solar grazing operation at Pachwáywit Fields. Avangrid also launched a similar operation at its Lund Hill solar farm in Klickitat County, Washington, the state’s largest operating solar facility. At the peak in the spring, there were more than 5,000 sheep spread across both facilities.

“Avangrid is one of the most sustainable companies in the world and this is yet another example of our hardworking teams taking an innovative approach to solving complex problems,” said Pedro Azagra, Avangrid CEO. “These sheep are not only a more environmentally friendly solution to manage the vegetation, but help us support the local community and contribute to a circular economy in the Pacific Northwest.”

The sheep at these sites belong to Cameron Krebs, a fifth generation Oregon rancher, who sells wool and lamb. Krebs and his family have partnered with Oregon-based Pendleton Woolen Mills for more than a century, providing wool fiber to the mill and clothing manufacturer.

“There has been a significant learning curve, but it is fascinating to watch the sheep learn to expertly move under and around the solar panels to eat the vegetation,” said Krebs. “They are consuming four to five pounds of dry matter per day. Another way to think about that is they are consuming four to five pounds of carbon and turning it into food and fiber, or returning it to the soil naturally. By reducing the total vegetation on site, we’re significantly reducing the fuel load and fire danger as we move into the hot, dry summer.”

“They are constantly eating,” said Dustin Ervin, Avangrid’s senior solar manager for Oregon and Washington. “The sheep maneuver around our solar panels better than the large mowing equipment we used in the past, and they eat right up to the panel arrays. We are proud to have taken this from concept to reality and I look forward to seeing how renewable energy companies begin to forge sustainable partnerships like what we’ve built with Cameron.”

“Creating world class products starts with healthy sheep providing the best wool possible,” said Keith Stonelake, wool buyer for Pendleton Woolen Mills. “The Krebs family has been one of our trusted wool growers for nearly 100 years and we are thrilled by the partnership between the Krebs’ and Avangrid.”

Avangrid will continue to utilize sheep at both Pachwáywit Fields and Lund Hill for the foreseeable future, managing the vegetation during peak growing seasons in the spring and fall. The Company is considering opportunities to expand solar grazing at other solar facilities within its portfolio. (SOURCE)

U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and Representative Val Hoyle announced $16.6 million in federal funds for Oregon habitat restoration and coastal resilience projects have been made available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act.

Wyden said, “Salmon, fishing and our beautiful outdoors are all central to Oregon’s economy and identity”. Wyden said, “This funding is exactly what I fought for in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act, and I will continue to advocate for more resources to preserve Oregon’s pristine waterways and coast”.

Merkley said, “Oregon’s native fish are the lifeblood of our state, supporting the health and vitality of our communities, local economies, and Tribes who have been here since time immemorial”. Merkley said, “…Crucially, the two projects receiving funding will strengthen coastal resiliency and go a long way to enhance habitat for fish populations, including our beloved coho salmon, spring Chinook salmon and other native fish species”.

Hoyle said, “It will support better habitats for salmon on the Willamette River and the Oregon Coast. I’m looking forward to seeing the results of these investments, and I’ll continue working to bring federal funding back to Oregon”.

The joint release said the $16.6 million comes from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries’ Office of Habitat Restoration and will be used for:

*McKenzie Watershed Alliance – Resilience through Floodplain Restoration: Creating Conditions for Native Species and Communities to Thrive in the Upper Willamette: $8.5 million.

*Wild Salmon Center – Oregon Coast Coho Recovery Plan Implementation in Oregon: $8.1 million.

Opioid Settlement Board directs $13 million to substance use disorder treatment infrastructure

State Alcohol and Drug Policy Commission recommended allocation, which OHA will administer

PORTLAND, Ore. – A $13.08 million allocation by the Opioid Settlement Prevention, Treatment & Recovery Board (Settlement Board) will expand and strengthen the state’s access to substance use disorder treatment and services through opioid treatment programs (OTPs) and jails.

The Board approved Alcohol and Drug Policy Commission (ADPC) recommendations July 10. The allocation, which Oregon Health Authority (OHA) will administer, will improve access to medication for opioid use disorder and treatment services by providing:

  • Up to $3.9 million to fund:
    • Two mobile or non-mobile medication units in Clackamas County serving Oregon City and rural Clackamas County.
    • An opioid treatment program or a mobile or non-mobile medication unit in Multnomah County serving the geographic areas of the county with the highest unmet need.
  • Up to $9.1 million to fund a total of seven opioid treatment programs or mobile or non-mobile medication units, specifically:
    • Two in Northeastern Oregon.
    • One in the Mid-Gorge region.
    • One in Klamath County.
    • Two in underserved coastal areas.
    • One in eastern Lane County.

To be eligible for funding, a mobile or non-mobile medication unit or an opioid treatment program must be currently certified by OHA.

  • Up to $250,000 to Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) to provide technical assistance to jails and to foster collaboration between opioid treatment providers and jails.

The funding was awarded to OHA, which will administer the allocations. The Board’s decision can be viewed in a recording of its July 10 meeting here.

Prior to awarding any funding, OHA must engage the partners listed in the ADPC proposal and provide a proposed timeline and implementation plan to the Board for approval no later than Sept. 1, 2024.

Since July 2021, the State of Oregon has reached agreement on national lawsuits against several companies for their role in the opioid crisis. Through these agreements, nearly $600 million will be awarded to Oregon over the course of 18 years. Settlement funds from opioid manufacturers, distributors and pharmacies are divided between the State of Oregon (45%) and local jurisdictions (55%).

The state’s share is deposited as it becomes available into the Opioid Settlement, Prevention, Treatment and Recovery (OSPTR) Fund. This fund is controlled by the 18-member OSPTR Board.

Local jurisdictions receiving settlement funds (those with populations greater than 10,000) decide how their funds are used. Cities and counties are required to report to the Oregon Department of Justice annually on how they have allocated their funds.

For state and local spending details from Fiscal Year 2022-2023, refer to the Oregon Opioid Settlement Spending Report: https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/PREVENTIONWELLNESS/SUBSTANCEUSE/OPIOIDS/Documents/opioid-settlement-report-fy-22-23.pdf.

The OSPTR Board will next consider additional investments in emerging issues. To learn more about Oregon’s opioid settlement funds, visit oregon.gov/opioidsettlement.

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

Sens. Merkley and Wyden and Rep. Blumenauer urge VA to expand care to medical cannabis 

They say that the prohibition deprives veterans of a drug that’s legal in nearly 40 states and forces them go to outside the VA system 

U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley wants veterans to receive access to medical cannabis through Veterans Affairs clinics and hospitals. 

Merkley, D-Oregon, led a left-leaning independent and seven other Democratic senators, including Oregon’s U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, in sending a letter late last week to Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough, urging him to allow medical marijuana treatment for veterans in states that have legalized its use. Medical cannabis is legal in nearly 40 states and the District of Columbia, but the federal government has not changed it alongside that trend. 

The letter follows a similar plea in June spearheaded by another Democratic Oregon congressional member, Rep. Earl Blumenauer, co-chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus.

Oregon is home to 250,000 veterans and many rely on U.S. Department of Veterans Administration outpatient clinics in urban and rural communities and its hospitals in Portland and Roseburg. But a VA directive bars providers from recommending the use of medical marijuana or making referrals for its use. It even prevents providers from completing forms for state-authorized medical marijuana.

But advocates are hopeful the VA will loosen these restrictions following a May proposal by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. It recommended that marijuana be rescheduled from Schedule 1 – the most restrictive listing possible for dangerous drugs with no recognized medical use – to Schedule III, which is less restrictive and recognizes the medical benefits of cannabis, potentially opening up treatment options. 

The senators asked the VA to educate providers about the benefits of cannabis use to treat various medical conditions, including anxiety and seizures. They noted that scientific data shows it’s effective for controlling nausea and vomiting and stimulating the appetite while being much less addictive than opioids in treating pain. 

“Leaving our nation’s heroes without access to effective pain management methods is unconscionable,” the letter said.

Blumenauer’s letter struck a similar tone, saying that barring medical marijuana forces veterans to seek outside care. 

“No one is better qualified to make recommendations on care for veterans than veterans working with their VA health care providers,” Blumenauer wrote. “Placing arbitrary restrictions on those decisions is a disservice to our veterans.”

The letter was signed by a Republican, Rep. David Joyce of Ohio, and a Democrat, Rep. Barbara Lee of California.

In June, with a boost from Blumenauer, the House voted to 290-116 to pass an amendment to the VA’s spending bill that would end the agency’s prohibition on helping veterans access medical marijuana care. The bipartisan amendment, co-sponsored with U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, R-Florida, would require the agency to authorize providers to discuss medical marijuana with veterans and recommend that care if they believe it is necessary. 

In 1998, Oregon voters approved legalizing medical marijuana. In 2014, Oregon voters legalized recreational marijuana. 

Besides Merkley and Wyden, Democratic Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York; Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts; John Fetterman of Pennsylvania; Peter Welch of Vermont; Tina Smith of Minnesota; and Jacky Rosen of Nevada signed the letter along with Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent from Vermont who caucuses with Democrats. (SOURCE)

Bags of rice recalled in seven US states as they may contain ‘rodent parts’

Wehah Farms has issued a recall of 4,600 cases of its Lundberg Family Farms Sustainable Wild Blend Gourmet Rice in seven states . This is due to the potential presence of a “foreign object that appears to be of rodent origin.”

Amazon.com : Lundberg Organic Wild Blend Rice - Wild Rice Blended with Long  Grain Brown Rice, Sweet Brown Rice, Red Rice, and Black Rice, Certified  Gluten-Free Rice, Pantry Staples, 16 Oz :

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified this as a Class II risk recall, indicating that the product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences.

The affected products are sold in 1lb bags with the lot code 231004 and a best-before date of October 4, 2024. The recall affects products sold in Arizona, California Florida , Maine, New Hampshire, Oregon, and Wisconsin, according to Newsweek.

It remains unclear how the product became contaminated with rodent parts. FDA recalls are classified into three levels, with Class II being the second most serious type.

The FDA sets limits on the amount of “extraneous materials” that can be present in food, stating: “maximum levels for these defects in foods produced under current good manufacturing practice and uses these levels in deciding whether to recommend regulatory action.”

According to the FDA: “Extraneous materials include any foreign matter in a product associated with objectionable conditions or practices in production, storage, or distribution.”

They provide examples such as “Examples of filth may include any objectionable matter contributed by animal contamination such as rodent, insect, or bird matter; or any other objectionable matter contributed by unsanitary conditions.”

The FDA stated: “Some foods, even if they are produced in acceptable conditions, may contain natural or unavoidable defects that at low levels are not hazardous to health.”

https://www.oregon.gov/osp/missing/pages/missingpersons.aspx

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.

In Oregon we don’t have those rules and an officer or person answering the phone is not allowed to decide. The law decides. We have Senate Bill 351 and it states that the police CANNOT refuse a request for any reason and they must begin working on it within 12 hours. The person making the report does not have to be related to missing person either.

Here is SB 351 written by families of the missing here in Oregon in conjunction with Oregon law enforcement officers. This should be common knowledge, please make it this way. https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/…/SB351/Introduced

Contact us: Info@OregonBeachMagazine.com

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